Vaccination Numbers Look Poor Says CDC

Adults in the U.S. are still neglecting to get vaccinated for many life-threatening diseases according to the latest numbers released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Vaccinations for Pneumococcal Disease, Tetanus, Hepatitis, Herpes, and the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) all remained at rates abysmally lower than desired according to the CDC report published in the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report. As the makeup and recommended distribution of the influenza vaccine changes almost annually, those numbers are posted in a separate report.

The reported data was taken from the 2012 National Health Interview Survey, and reflects vaccination numbers between 2012 and 2013.

Some notable numbers include the percentage of seniors who received their recommended vaccines, compared to the average adult. For instance, only a mere 20 percent of adults deemed "high-risk" were vaccinated for pneumonia in 2012, while 60 percent of at-risk seniors received vaccination the same year.

Numbers among young adults and adults for other vaccinations were just as low, barely rising from rates in 2011. Seniors on the other hand, continue to receive increased access to vaccinations.

Some explanations for this are that retired seniors simply have more time on their hands for regular doctor visits, where they learn about recommended vaccinations. Seniors in care-homes also receive more frequent medical checkups and can easily access vaccinations. Adversely, working young and middle-aged adults often have less time to visit a care-provider/have less access to medical treatment and information about vaccinations.

Thankfully, some numbers conveyed positive trends. HPV vaccines among young women aged 19-26 increased by 5 percent since last year, meaning 35 percent of young women recommended for the vaccine have received one or more doses of it.

The CDC concluded the report suggesting that discouraging vaccination numbers can be improved with increased vaccination access, education, and promotion. The federal office also suggests that healthcare providers make more routine assessments of patient vaccination needs and recommendations.

The report was published in today's issue of the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report on February 7.