Preventing death and disability in children and adolescents
About
Childhood vaccines are one of the greatest public health successes of the 20th century. But while immunization coverage rates for children have risen in past decades, the national average has not reached the Healthy People 2010 goal of 90% coverage for the recommended childhood vaccines.
Adolescent immunization is growing in importance as new vaccines aimed at this age group enter the market, which necessitates a closer look at ways to ensure adolescents are protected from vaccine preventable disease.
At present, several vaccines are available for adolescents, including the meningococcal conjugate vaccine for meningococcal disease and two booster vaccines for tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis (Tdap). Other vaccines that may be available in the future will offer protection from diseases such as the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV), which causes cervical cancer.
Immunization Registries
All Kids Count (external site)
American Immunization Registry Association (external site)
National Immunization Program (external site)
Publications and Resources
Cost to Immunize One Child in the Public Sector (graphic)
Cost to Immunize One Child vs Federal Vaccine Purchase Appropriations (graphic)
Estimated Childhood 4:3:1:3:3 Coverage (graphic)
Immunization Action Coalition (external site)
National Foundation for Infectious Disease: Facts about Adolescent Immunization (external site)
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