Immunization for vaccine-preventable diseases has made a dramatic impact on health; no other advance in medicine has achieved nearly the reduction in death and disability. The arrival of new or improved vaccines continues to give us the opportunity to protect our health.
Human Papilloma Virus, or HPV, causes nearly all cases of cervical cancer as well as cancers of the throat, penis, vagina, and labia. HPV is also responsible for genital warts, which cause abnormal PAP smears that may lead to further testing or invasive treatment. HPV is spread by skin-to-skin genital contact. HPV vaccine contains the four strains of HPV that cause 70 percent of cervical cancer and 90 percent of genital warts. The vaccine prevents these diseases but does not treat them. Thus, the vaccine must be given before there is contact with the virus. All girls age 11 and up are eligible for the vaccine, which is a series of three shots. Side effects are minor.
A second dose of chicken pox (varicella) vaccine is now recommended for all children age four and up. While a single dose of chicken pox vaccine provides excellent protection against severe cases, about 10 percent of children will experience a mild “breakthrough” case of chicken pox after a single dose. The second dose will help to avoid these breakthrough cases and increase the protection from the vaccine. Note that the second dose is not because immunity wears off but rather to decrease breakthrough cases. All children will receive the second dose at the four-year well visit. Children who are older than four will receive a second dose of the vaccine as well.
Pertussis or whooping cough is a bacterial infection leading to fits of coughing that make it difficult to eat, drink or breathe. It may lead to pneumonia, brain damage and death, especially in infants. The illness is prolonged, with weeks to months for recovery. About 2 of every 100 adolescents with pertussis are hospitalized. The DPT vaccines given in infancy offer protection, but the immunity from the series of shots in the first four years begins to wear off by age 10-12. Many adults who have persistent coughs actually have pertussis but do not realize it. This circulation of the infection in the community endangers vulnerable infants and those with chronic health problems.
A booster for pertussis is now available, combined with the customary tetanus booster. The new vaccine, called Tdap, is given to persons age 11 and up. Reactions are minor, similar to the regular tetanus booster.
Meningococcal meningitis, one of the three main types of bacterial meningitis, is the leading cause of meningitis in children and peaks between age 12 and 18. Meningitis is an infection of the fluid bathing the brain and spinal cord. About 2,600 people get meningococcal meningitis every year, and 10-15 percent die in spite of treatment. Of those who survive, another 10-20 percent are left with mental retardation, seizures, stroke, deafness or loss of limbs.
A vaccine for this type of meningitis has been given to college freshman who live in dorms for several years; the original vaccine lasted for three to five years, so immunization was delayed until the late teen years. A new version of the vaccine lasts much longer so younger teens can be immunized too. The meningococcal vaccine is now given routinely at age 11 as a single shot. Side effects are minor.
Contact your child’s healthcare provider to discuss whether these vaccines are right for you or your child. More information is available at www.aap.org, www.cdc.gov/vaccines or www.vaccine.chop.edu
