Adult Vaccinations

Editor's note: This article summarizes key points from a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) report published in  Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR).  To subscribe to  MMWR , visit  www.cdc.gov/MMWR . Biggs HM, et al. "Diagnosis and Management of Tickborne Rickettsial Diseases: Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever and Other Spotted Fever Group Rickettsioses Ehrlichioses, and Anaplasmosis – United States." MMWR Recomm Rep . 2016;65(No. RR-2):1-44, http://dx.doi.org/10.15585/mmwr.rr6502a1 Tickborne rickettsial infections are caused by the obligate intracellular bacteria of the order Rickettsiales. In the U.S., these infections include three major categories: spotted fever group rickettsioses, ehrlichioses and anaplasmosis, all of which are nationally notifiable. Tickborne rickettsial infectio...

[unable to retrieve full-text content] Measuring routine childhood vaccination coverage in 204 countries and territories, 1980–2019: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2020, Release 1    The Lancet

Dogs are among the most popular animal companions. In fact, it's estimated that dogs live in about 38 percent of households in the United States. Still, as with having any other pet, it's important to be aware of the variety of diseases and health risks that may be transmitted from your canine companion. Some of these health risks may be derived from dog scratches that arise from playing, feeding, and coming into contact with an unknown animal. Not all dog scratches are serious, but it's important to be on the lookout for possible signs of infection, and call a doctor to rule out more serious health consequences. Read on to learn about possible health risks from dog scratches and how to treat and prevent them. Daily interactions with your dog — including playtime — can sometimes result in scratches. These might occur from your dog's nails when they step on you or jump up on you, as well as accidentally scratching you with their teeth while playing fetch or during feedi...

Union County, NJ – The Union County Board of County Commissioners reminds residents that free immunizations are available to eligible children and adults at the Union County Immunization Center. The Immunization Center is located at 40 Parker Road in Elizabeth. "Union County's immunization clinic helps to ensure that every infant and child in our community can receive protection from preventable diseases, regardless of their insurance status or family circumstances. We encourage everyone who may be eligible to contact the clinic and find out if their children qualify for this free service," said County Commissioner Chairman Alexander Mirabella. Residents who are uninsured, underinsured, or who are covered by Medicaid Plan A are eligible for services. To receive vaccinations for a child, parents or guardians are required to provide the eligible child's birth certificate, current vaccination records, parent or legal guardians ID and proof of address. Legal guardians mus...

Infectious mononucleosis, or mono, is a disease spread through saliva and other bodily fluids. It is therefore also known as "the kissing disease." Mono is common in settings where individuals are in close quarters, such as college dormitories. Although less common, mono can also be spread through sexual contact, blood transfusions, and organ transplants. Mono is usually caused by the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), a type of herpes virus. Most commonly infecting young people, EBV can affect anyone. It's highly contagious and easily passed from person to person. There is no vaccine to protect you against mono, and people can spread it before they know they have the illness. So, the best prevention is to avoid close contact with someone who may have the disease and to not share items like water bottles, toothbrushes, and eating utensils—anything that can spread saliva—with others. JGI/Jamie Grill / Getty Images When Is Mono Contagious? P...

New York doctors and health care workers want people with questions about the COVID vaccine to do one thing: Ask. No vaccine-related question is silly or unacceptable, infectious disease experts said Tuesday, citing common concerns about the one- or two-dose vaccine to protect against coronavirus COVID-19. "If you have questions, ask," said Dr. Anja Bottler, chief of infectious disease at Unity Hospital within Rochester Regional Health. "Don't just sit there and pout and get stuck in your thinking hole. Ask questions. Talk to other people. Get a feeling on what is the right thing for yourself to do." Bottler also works at United Memorial Medical Center in Batavia, and regularly sees patients from all backgrounds. About a quarter of New Yorkers eligible to receive the COVID vaccine, or about 3.5 million adults, have opted not to get the shot. More than 68.3% of s...

A generational shift seems to have begun in earnest in the pneumococcal conjugate vaccine market, as MSD's 15-valent vaccine Vaxneuvance won approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration recently, following Pfizer's Prevnar 20. MSD's Vaxneuvance is likely to go one step ahead in the pediatric pneumonia therapy market, which accounts for about 80 percent of the total pneumococcal vaccine sales, regaining its former reputation in the market. The global pneumococcal vaccine market faces a generational shift as MSD has recently received approval for its 15-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine Vaxneuvance. The FDA authorized MSD's pneumococcal 15-valent conjugate vaccine Vaxneuvance on Friday to prevent invasive pneumococcal disease in adults aged 18 or more, caused by 15 serotypes. MSD's next-generation product scored the FDA nod barely one month after  Pfizer's Prevnar 20 nabbed the regulatory approval for adults over 18. The...

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommended Tuesday that fully vaccinated people begin wearing masks indoors again in places with high Covid-19 transmission rates. The agency is also recommending kids wear masks in schools this fall. Federal health officials still believe fully vaccinated individuals represent a very small amount of transmission. Still, some vaccinated people could be carrying higher levels of the virus than previously understood and potentially transmit it to others. "This pandemic continues to pose a serious threat to the health of all Americans," CDC Director Rochelle Walensky told reporters on a call. "Today, we have new science related to the delta variant that requires us to update the guidance regarding what you can do when you are fully vaccinated." The updated guidance comes ahead of the fall season, when the highly contagious delta variant is expected to cause another surge in new coronavirus cases and many...

Skin tags, also known as acrochordons, are harmless growths that are made up of proteins and skin. They are usually flesh-colored, and can range in size from 1 mm to 1 cm in diameter. Typically found in skin folds or creases, which are generally areas of high friction, skin tags usually hang from the body by a tiny stalk. They rarely result in major health problems and may disappear on their own. However, sometimes skin tags that form on the eyelids can cause irritation or obscure vision, and you may want to have them removed. Read on to learn more about skin tags and what to do if you develop one on your eyelid. DermNet NZ Why Skin Tags Appear on Eyelids Skin tags can develop on many parts of the body, especially in folds or areas that frequently rub against one another, such as the eyelids. Common sites where skin tags can be found include: Under the breasts Underarms Groin Neck Perianal area Eyelids What Causes Skin...

The Tdap vaccine is a combination vaccine against tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis (commonly known as whooping cough). The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that pregnant people receive the Tdap vaccine during the final trimester of pregnancy. When the Tdap vaccine is given between 27 and 36 weeks of pregnancy, antibodies against whooping cough are passed to the fetus. Studies have found that prenatal Tdap vaccination significantly lowers a newborn's risk of contracting whooping cough in the first two months of life. The Tdap vaccine is safe for pregnant people. Research has shown that the vaccine does not adversely affect pregnancy, birth, or neonatal outcomes. Additionally, being pregnant does not increase the risk of having a reaction to the vaccine. Here's what you should know about getting the Tdap vaccine while you are pregnant. Marina Demidiuk / Getty Images. What Is in the Tdap Vaccine? ...

Dermatosis refers to several skin conditions and may involve the hair and nails as well. It includes any irregularity or lesion on the skin. Conditions of the skin, also known as dermatoses, can be caused by a variety of factors, including infections, irritation, autoimmune diseases, or cancer. Treatment for dermatosis depends on the cause, and may include topical steroids, moisturizers, antibiotics, antifungals, or chemotherapy. Because there are several different types of dermatoses, it can be difficult to diagnose yourself. See your dermatologist to find out what is causing your skin problem and how to treat it.  Catherine Falls Commercial / Getty Images Dermatosis Terminology Dermatosis means any skin irregularity or lesion. Skin conditions that cause inflammation of the skin, such as eczema, are known as dermatitis. The following conditions are examples of dermatoses: Lesion : An area of the skin that is differ...