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[STK]
[IN] HEA
[SU] SVY CHI STP
TO HEALTH, MEDICAL, AND NATIONAL EDITORS:
Report shows 20-year US immunization program spares millions of
children from diseases
ATLANTA, April 24, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The CDC estimates
that vaccinations will prevent more than 21 million hospitalizations
and 732,000 deaths among children born in the last 20 years. Despite
the U.S. immunization program's success, according to CDC officials,
129 people in the U.S. have been reported to have measles this year in
13 outbreaks, as of April 18.
In 1994, the Vaccines for Children program (VFC) was launched in
direct response to a measles resurgence in the United States that
caused tens of thousands of cases and over a hundred deaths, despite
the availability of a measles vaccine since 1963. The VFC program
provides vaccines to children whose parents or caregivers might
otherwise be unable to afford them.
This year's 20th anniversary of the VFC program's implementation is
occurring during an increase in measles cases in the U.S. In 2013, 189
Americans had measles. In 2011, 220 people in the U.S. were reported
as having measles--the highest number of annual cases since 1996.
"Thanks to the VFC program, children in our country are no longer at
significant risk from diseases that once killed thousands each year,"
said CDC Director Tom Frieden, M.D., M.P.H. "Current outbreaks of
measles in the U.S. serve as a reminder that these diseases are only a
plane ride away. Borders can't stop measles, but vaccination can."
The CDC reports 34 people, among the 129 cases this year, brought
measles into the U.S. after being infected in other countries. Though
not direct imports, most of the remaining cases are known to be linked
to importations. Most people who reported having measles in 2014 were
not vaccinated or did not know their vaccination status.
Because measles is a highly contagious disease, it can spread quickly
among unvaccinated people. The CDC recommends people of all ages keep
up to date with their vaccinations. CDC recommends two doses of MMR
(measles, mumps, and rubella) vaccine for everyone starting at age 12
months. Infants 6 through 11 months old should receive 1 dose of MMR
vaccine before international travel.
For children born during the VFC era, the U.S. immunization program
continues to pay enormous benefits. According to analysis by the CDC,
hospitalizations avoided and lives saved through vaccination will save
nearly $295 billion in direct costs and $1.38 trillion in total
societal costs. Parents can learn more about the VFC program at
http://www.cdc.gov/features/vfcprogram/.
April 26th is the start of National Infant Immunization Week, which
will bring together communities across the country in raising
awareness about the importance immunization. For more information, go
to www.cdc.gov/vaccines.
However, not all diseases that threaten U.S. borders can be prevented
today by vaccines and require different strategies to protect
Americans. "The health security of the United States is only as strong
as the health security of all nations around the world. We are all
connected by the food we eat, the water we drink, and air we breathe,"
said Dr. Frieden. "Stopping outbreaks where they start is the most
effective and least costly way to prevent disease and save lives at
home and abroad - and it's the right thing to do."
The Affordable Care Act (ACA), also known as the health care law, was
created to expand access to coverage, control health care costs, and
improve health care quality and coordination. Under ACA, more
Americans than ever will qualify to get health care coverage that fits
their needs and budget, including important preventive services such
as vaccine coverage available at no cost for eligible children through
the Vaccines for Children Program. Visit Healthcare.gov or
call 1-800-318-2596 (TTY/TDD 1-855-889-4325) to learn more.
SOURCE Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
-0- 04/24/2014
/CONTACT: CDC Media Relations, (404) 639-3286, http://www.cdc.gov/media/index.html
CO: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
ST: Georgia
IN: HEA
SU: SVY CHI STP
PRN
-- DC12335 --
0000 04/24/2014 17:00:00 EDT http://www.prnewswire.com
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