Underuse of Vaccinations Challenges Public Health Professionals

Liz Perry for Leaders in Healthcare – Feb. 12, 2008

The public health industry has made great advances in preventing disease, but not many adults are taking full advantage of them. A new report by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that: only about 2 percent of Americans 60 and older received a vaccine against shingles in its first year of sales, despite more than 1 million new cases of shingles yearly and risk for anyone who ever had chickenpox; approximately 2 percent of adults ages 18 to 64 got a booster shot against whooping cough in its two years on the market, even though it brings coughing so strong it can break a rib; and about 10 percent of women ages 18 to 26 have received at least one dose of a three-shot series that protects against the human papillomavirus, or HPV, that causes cervical cancer.

The report also showed that longstanding vaccines are also being neglected. The CDC found that only 69 percent of seniors get flu shots; 66 percent have ever had a one-time pneumonia vaccine; and 44 percent received a tetanus shot in the past 10 years.

These new findings provide a challenge for public health professionals, who pinpoint existing and potential health problems and benefit communities by increasing awareness. With new challenges arising every day, from the findings of this report to the bird flu outbreak, come new opportunities in the public health industry. Education is the key to getting ahead in this rapidly expanding industry. Many universities now offer degrees that help develop integral contributors to the viability and success of the many public health organizations in the field.