Vaccination update.

Preview Inadequate immunization of infants, children, and persons at high risk for certain infectious diseases continues to result in excess deaths every year in the United States. With improved vaccination rates, many of these deaths could be prevented. This article focuses on current immunization guidelines and recent developments in the battle against seven vaccine-preventable diseases.

Vaccination update.

Preview Although the incidence of many vaccine-preventable diseases has fallen dramatically, routine vaccination should be a goal of all primary care physicians. Childhood immunization programs alone will not eliminate these diseases, which are still responsible for substantial illness and death in infants, young adults, and the elderly. In this article, Drs Vetter and Johnson discuss recent developments in immunization against six common infectious diseases.