The Georgia Scroll
October 1998

National Adult Immunization Awareness Week Kicks Off October 11
Georgia Launches "Word to the Wise: Immunize" Education Campaign

Provided by: Georgia Department of Human Resources
Georgia Immunization Program

Atlanta—While great strides have been made in recent years regarding the increase of national infant and childhood immunization rates, less attention has focused on the need for adult vaccination awareness. Each year as many as 50,000-70,000 American adults die needlessly from vaccine-preventable diseases, with at least 100 times as many adults as children dying. Complications from these vaccine-preventable diseases result in nearly $5 billion in medical care costs each year according to the National Coalition on Adult Immunization (NCAI).

In recognition of the critical need for adult vaccine awareness, the Georgia Department of Human Resources’ Immunization Program joins the NCAI in the launch of National Adult Immunization Awareness (NAIAW), October 11-17, to raise awareness and educate adults about this important issue. In conjunction with NAIAW activities, the Georgia Immunization Program is launching a statewide comprehensive public education campaign, "Word to the Wise: Immunize". Georgia’s inaugural program will reach key audiences such as senior citizens, the chronically ill as well as their caretakers, health-care providers, civic groups and corporations to educate them regarding the importance of adult immunization.

According to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines, adults need to be immunized against a variety of vaccine-preventable diseases including influenza, pneumococcal disease, diptheria, tetanus, hepatitis A and B, as well as measles, mumps, rubella and chickenpox.

The statistics are staggering. The following are the facts on why everyone should be fully immunized.

• Influenza and pneumococcal disease are the nation’s sixth leading cause of death for older adults.
• Pneumococcal disease accounts for a half million cases of pneumonia in the United States each year and can cause death, particularly in people over age 65.
• Each year, about 10-20 percent of the population contract influenza, and about 20,000 adults die from influenza-related illnesses. The senior citizen population is most at risk for becoming hospitalized from flu-related illnesses.
• Hepatitis A and B infect more than 200,000 Americans each year and there are more than 1 million people with chronic hepatitis B virus who can pass the disease along to family members and other contacts.
• Approximately 5 million adult women of childbearing age are susceptible to rubella, which can lead to severe birth defects, miscarriages and stillbirths if contracted during pregnancy.
• Half of all Americans over 50 years of age are inadequately immunized against tetanus and diptheria.

  "Increasing Georgia’s adult immunization rate will result in fewer illnesses, which will decrease the amount of time off work and generate substantial medical cost savings through the reduction in doctor’s visits and hospital stays, " said Mike Chaney, manager of the Georgia Immunization Program, Department of Human Resources. "Safe and effective vaccines are readily available to the adult public. We are urging all Georgians to take an active role in getting their immunizations up-to-date by asking their health-care providers for the necessary vaccines during routine doctor visits."

  Because the influenza virus changes from year to year and is most severe in the winter, health-care professionals recommend that adults, especially senior citizens and the chronically ill, receive an influenza vaccination in the fall before the start of cold and flu season. In addition to the flu shot, health-care professionals recommend senior citizens and high-risk individuals to receive the pneumococcal vaccine. The pneumococcal vaccine is a once-in-a-lifetime immunization and can be given at the same time as the flu shot. Both vaccines are covered under Medicare Part B.

  Adults also should get up-to-date on their vaccinations if they have not already received them and ask their physician if they need other adult vaccinations such as diptheria, tetanus and hepatitis A and B. Once adults begin updating their immunizations, they should continue to track their immunizations by starting a personal vaccination record. The vaccination record can be updated by a physician or health-care clinic during routine visits.

  Founded in 1988, the NCAI is a network of more than 90 organizations nationwide dedicated to promoting adult immunizations through educational and motivational activities to increase the number of adults receiving vaccinations. For further information on adult immunization, contact your local county health department or private physician.

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Last modified: June 22, 2001