Adult Immunizations 1994

An estimated 50 000 to 70 000 deaths from invasive pneumococcal disease, influenza, or hepatitis B infection occur yearly among adults in the United States. Annual mortality rates from infections potentially preventable by adult vaccines exceed those from automobile crashes or the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. Well-supported and well-organized pediatric immunization programs have reduced the overall burden of preventable infections in children to new worldwide lows. In contrast, the current use of vaccines in targeted adult groups is only 40% for influenza, 20% for pneumococcal disease, and 10% for hepatitis B infection [1]. Hepatitis B infection bears the dubious distinction of being the only disease with an incidence that increased during the decade after a highly effective vaccine was introduced.

The just-published third edition of the Guide for Adult Immunization [2] is a collaborative effort of the American College of Physicians and the Infectious Diseases Society of America. Written by the College's Task Force for Adult Immunization, it provides physicians and other health care providers with specific information on the use of immunogens …