Update Immunizations to Prevent Serious, Life-Threatening Illnesses

Aug. 9, 2010 - PRLog -- According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) immunization is one of the most important public health achievements of medicine in the 20th century.  Immunizations have eradicated smallpox, eliminated wild poliovirus in the United States, while reducing the number of cases of measles, diphtheria, rubella, pertussis and other life-threatening diseases.

While August is referred to as the “dog days of Summer,” it is also National Immunization Awareness Month (NIAM).  The members of the Nurse Practitioners Association of Long Island (NPALI) join with the CDC and the National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases to strongly encourage families and residents of Long Island to recognize immunization awareness by updating their immunizations.  Staying up-to-date on the recommended immunizations helps prevent serious, life-threatening infections.

“Regardless of age, sex, race, ethnic background, getting immunized is a lifelong, life-protecting responsibility,” said Dr. Mary Beth Petraco, Pediatric Nurse Practitioner, chair of the NPALI.  “Knowing and having the vaccines recommended for infants, children, teenagers, adults and seniors, are critical to protecting ourselves and families from disease.”

Most immunizations are given during the first five to six years of life, while other immunizations are administered during adolescent or adult years.  Certain booster immunizations are recommended throughout life and other immunizations are recommended for travelers when traveling outside of the U.S.

So, are you up to date?  If you’re not sure, schedule an appointment with a primary care specialist to get an update on the status of your immunizations.  Continue reading for information about the immunizations that are vital to your continued good health and wellness:

Tetanus/Diphtheria/Pertussis – Adolescents and adults up through age 64 years should receive a booster against tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis, also known as whooping cough if they have not already done so.  Pertussis causes a severe cough that can last for months.  The vaccine is called Tdap.  Pertussis rates are rising in adolescents and adults.  While this infection can cause serious illness in all age groups, it is most fatalities occur in young infants.  Young infants are particularly susceptible because they are either too young to be immunized or they have not completed their tetanus/diphtheria/pertussis immunization series.  Adults and adolescents are the source of the infection and in many cases it is a family member who infects the young infant.   California is currently in the midst of a pertussis epidemic and other areas of the county including Long Island have seen a resurgence of this serious infection.  Infection with Clostridium tetani, which is found in spores in the soil and in the gastrointestinal tract of some animals, causes tetany, or severe muscle spasms. The condition can be fatal without treatment. Diphtheria is an infectious respiratory illness which causes sore throat and difficulty swallowing. It sometimes causes severe swelling of the neck and can be fatal.  Those 65 and over should receive a Td booster if they have not done so in the last 10 years since Tdap vaccine is not licensed for those over 65 years of age.

Pneumococcus - Streptococcus pneumoniae infection can cause a myriad of illnesses with varying degrees of severity, such as otitis media (ear infection), pneumonia and meningitis. Adults 65 years of age and older require protection against pneumococcal infection, as do young adults who have diabetes or other chronic illnesses. Being immunized once for pneumococcal disease confers lifetime immunity, although those at high risk may opt to have a booster if they were vaccinated prior to age 65.

Human Papillomavirus (HPV) - Women aged 26 years and younger should be vaccinated against HPV, which causes genital warts, and is also responsible for causing approximately 70% of all cases of cervical cancer.

Influenza – From this point onward, most people will be advised to receive immunizations for both the seasonal influenza virus and the H1N1 virus. This may mean that three vaccination shots will be required to be fully covered against influenza.  Discuss this with your doctor, especially if you have a high risk (have an altered immune system, are pregnant, or have a chronic health condition).

The NPALI and CDC recommend that complete immunization records are readily available to prevent needless vaccination in case of emergency.  Always ask your primary care specialist for a check-up to be sure that immunization are up to date.

Based in Hauppauge, NY, the Nurse Practitioner Association of Long Island (NPALI) is a chapter of the Nurse Practitioner Association of New York State. NPALI was formed in 1980, and works in concert with the state organization for the purpose of uniting, representing, and advocating for the profession.

Nurse practitioners (NPs) are registered nurses who are prepared, through advanced education and clinical training, to provide a wide range of preventive and acute health care services to individuals of all ages.  NPs complete graduate-level education preparation that leads to a master’s degree. NPs take health histories and provide complete physical examinations; diagnose and treat many common acute and chronic problems; interpret laboratory results and X-rays; prescribe and manage medications and other therapies; provide health teaching and supportive counseling with an emphasis on prevention of illness and health maintenance; and refer patients to other health professionals as needed.  NPs are authorized to practice across the nation and have prescriptive privileges, of varying degrees, in 49 states. The most recent Health Resources and Services Administration Sample Survey report (2008) shows 158,348 Nurse Practitioners in the United States, an increase of more than 12 percent over 2004 data. The actual number of nurse practitioners in 2006 is estimated to be at least 145,000.

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NPALI is a chapter of the Nurse Practitioner Association of NYS. NPALI was formed in 1980, and works in concert with the state organization for the purpose of uniting, representing, and advocating for the profession. Nurse practitioners (NPs) are registered nurses who are prepared, through advanced education and clinical training, to provide a wide range of preventive and acute health care services to individuals of all ages. NPs complete graduate-level education preparation that leads to a master’s degree. NPs take health histories and provide complete physical examinations; diagnose and treat many common acute and chronic problems; interpret laboratory results and X-rays; prescribe and manage medications and other therapies; provide health teaching and supportive counseling with an emphasis on prevention of illness and health maintenance; and refer patients to other health professionals as needed.