Immunization of Adults

Abstract

In the United States, the immunization of adults does not receive the same priority as the immunization of children, although deaths from vaccine-preventable diseases occur predominantly in adults. About 50,000 to 70,000 adults die each year from pneumococcal infection, influenza, or hepatitis B (Table 1),¹ as compared with about 1000 children who die from diseases targeted by childhood immunizations. Reasons for the poor record of immunization of adults include lingering doubts on the part of both the public and health care providers about the efficacy and safety of vaccines; uncertainty about specific recommendations; concern about liability; inadequate reimbursement; and poorly . . .