Adolescent Vaccines

1. Adolescent Vaccines What every parent needs to know!

2. “Vaccines are among the greatest public health achievements of the 20th century. Immunizations can prevent disability and death from infectious diseases for individuals and can help control the spread of infections within communities” Healthy People 2010

3. Why focus on teens?

4. Teens vaccines are often missed • There are several new vaccines that are recommended • There have been changes in the recommended boosters of old vaccines • Many teens were born after new recommendations were enacted • Teens don’t go the doctor as often • Parents are unaware or unsure of what vaccines are needed

5. Meningococcal Disease

6. What is Meningococcal Disease? • Meningococcal disease is a potentially fatal bacterial infection that can cause severe swelling of the brain and spinal cord (meningitis) or a serious blood infection (meningococcemia) • Annual incidence of 3,000 cases • 10% of these cases will die • 20% of those who survive suffer serious long-term disability, including brain damage, hearing loss, organ failure and limb amputation

7. Symptoms of meningococcal disease • Often misdiagnosed as something less serious like the flu • High fever • Severe headache • Stiff neck • Confusion • Vomiting • Rash

8. How is meningococcal disease spread? • It is spread through air droplets and by direct contact with secretions from infected persons • Meningococcal disease can spread rapidly, often within hours of the first symptoms

9. Why are teens at risk? • Crowded conditions, i.e. schools, dorms • Sharing beverages and utensils • Frequent close contact, i.e. kissing • Irregular sleeping patterns • Active or passive smoking

10. Vaccination • Upwards of 83% of cases among adolescents and young adults can be prevented with immunization • Previously recommended for college students living in dorms • Now recommended for all pre-teens and teens!

11. Human Papillomavirus (HPV)

12. What is HPV? • HPV is a common virus that is spread through sexual contact. • Most of the time HPV has no symptoms • There are several strains of the HPV virus • Some strains can cause cervical cancer or genital warts

13. How serious is HPV? • 8 in 10 women will contract the virus in their lifetime • 20 million people are currently affected • 14,000 women are diagnosed with cervical cancer each year and 3,900 of these will die • Many other women will suffer with long term complications of the virus such as problems with fertility CDC, 2007

14. HPV Vaccine • First vaccine developed to prevent cervical cancer and genital warts • Given in 3 doses • Recommended for girls/women ages 9-26 who have not been previously exposed to the virus CDC, 2007

15. Whooping Cough

16. What is Whooping Cough? • Whooping cough, also known as pertussis, is a serious disease that starts out like a cold but progresses to severe coughing fits. • In 2004 there were 25,827 reported cases in the US, with the largest number of cases in pre-teens and teens. CDC, 2007

17. Symptoms of Whooping Cough • Begins like the common cold with a mild fever, runny nose and cough. • Progresses to severe coughing fits that have a characteristic “whoop” sound. • Coughing fits are often followed by vomiting. • Whooping cough can also lead to seizures and pneumonia

18. How is whooping cough spread? • The disease is spread by airborne droplets when an infected person coughs or sneezes. • Whooping cough spreads easily in school settings, where infected kids come in contact with lots of other kids. • The infected kids then spread the disease to family and community members. • Most outbreaks start in middle or high schools.

19. Pertussis Vaccination • Babies and young children are protected with the DTaP vaccine. • Immunity begins to wear off after 5-10 years. • New guidelines recommend a booster between 11-18 years old. • The new vaccine is called Tdap and replaces the Td shot that was previously given to this age group.

20. Hepatitis B (HBV)

21. What is Hepatitis B (HBV)? • Hepatitis B is a serious liver disease that can affect people of all ages. • Chronic infections lead to liver cancer and death. • Hepatitis B can be known as the “silent killer” because it often affects people without making them feel sick. • Medicines may not work at treating the disease.

22. How is Hepatitis B spread? • The virus is found in the blood and body fluids of infected people. • The virus is most often spread through sexual contact or by sharing needles and other drug paraphenalia. • It can also be spread in households of infected persons.

23. Why should I worry? • There are 79,000 new infections per year in the US. • 12.5 million people in the US have chronic HBV infection and are at risk for cirrhosis and liver cancer. • 11,000 people are hospitalized yearly. • 5,000 people die each year. CDC, 2007

24. Vaccination • Many teens were born before the vaccine became required for school entry. • 3 doses given over a 6 month period. • HBV vaccine is recognized as the first anti-cancer vaccine because it can prevent liver cancer.

25. Chickenpox (Varicella)

26. Chickenpox facts • Chickenpox is caused by the varicella zoster and causes a itchy rash and fever. • Although most cases are mild, it can progress to severe skin infections, swelling of the brain and pneumonia. • Adolescents and adults are at the most risk for severe disease. CDC, 2007

27. Chickenpox can hurt you. • Prior to vaccination…. 4 million cases annually 10,600 hospitalizations 100-150 deaths • Since vaccination…. 88% decrease in cases 88% decrease in hospitalizations 90% decrease in deaths CDC, 2007

28. Vaccination • 2 doses of vaccine are recommended now. • Previously only one dose was given • Many teens were born before the recommendations and may not have received the vaccine or only received one dose.

29. Are there other vaccines? • Flu, pneumococcal, Hepatitis A • Recommended for specific groups, such as teens with asthma or teens who may be traveling abroad. • Ask your physician for more information about which vaccines your teen needs

30. Are vaccines safe? • Vaccines take years to develop and are tested in many trials prior to approval. • Even after a vaccine is licensed the FDA and CDC continue to gather information on effectiveness, adverse reactions and safety. • Millions of doses of vaccines are given each year without complication. CDC, 2007

31. How can I help prevent communicable disease? • Proper hand washing and hygiene • Vaccination

32. References and Resources • Centers for Disease Control (CDC) www.cdc.gov • American Academy of Pediatrics www.aap.org • Immunization Action Coalition www.vaccineinformation.org • National Meningitis Association www.nmaus.org • Institute for Vaccine Safety www.vaccinesafety.edu