New Vaccinations Offer Additional Protection

Michael J. Smith, MD, FAAP
Internal Medicine and Pediatrics
Southside Medical Clinic, Eau Claire

Vaccinations have allowed us to live more healthy lives. Their use has eliminated natural small pox from the planet and kept polio, Haemophilus influenzae and other diseases in check. As with all areas of medicine, there continues to be new growth, new developments and discoveries in this field. Two of the newest vaccines that one will hear about in the near future are the new vaccine for Menningococcus, the bacteria that causes sporadic but severe meningitis and a booster vaccine for Bordetella pertussis the organism that causes whooping cough.

Meningitis is the severe infection of the spinal fluid, brain and spinal cord. This infection can be due to a bacteria or virus. The bacteria that most commonly causes this in high school and college age individuals is the bacteria Neisseria meningitidis. It is a very aggressive infection often causing severe damage to the brain, or death within a day. There is now a new vaccine that is useful in preventing some of the strains of these bacteria. This new vaccine, Menactra, is the second vaccine available to prevent this type of meningitis. Menactra is to be used for adolescents at age 11-12 or entry into high school. Similar to its predecessor, Menomune, it is only effective against the most common strains of these bacteria but not all strains. Menomune, the older vaccine, can still be used if the newer vaccine is not available.

Another new vaccine that is now available is Boostrix. This is used to prevent pertussis or whooping cough in adolescents, as well as providing further immunity to tetanus and diphtheria. Whooping cough is a highly contagious respiratory infection that can cause serious or life threatening illness in children. In adults and adolescents it causes a persistent cough that can last for weeks.

Previously, vaccination against pertussis was given at ages 2 months to 5 years. There has not been a vaccine for pertussis that was used after this original series we received as children. Unfortunately this original childhood vaccination series becomes less effective over time. Once the original immunity wanes, adolescents and adults can become infected and spread the infections to others. Of the approximately 12,000 reported cases of pertussis each year, approximately one-third occur in the adolescent age group. Boostrix will be used in adolescents aged 10-18 to boost the immunity to these infections. This booster vaccine should help to lower this infection rate. Research is currently being conducted on the use of vaccines for the adult population. A vaccine for adults would greatly reduce the rate of infection.

Ben Franklin stated, “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure”. Fortunately vaccines allow us to follow this wise advice. Check with your doctor to see if you or your family members should be getting these vaccines.

For more information or to schedule an appointment with Dr. Michael Smith » 715.830.9990, Southside Medical Clinic