A Review of Traditional Vaccine-Preventable Diseases and the Potential Impact on the Otolaryngologist

Abstract

Introduction A majority of otolaryngologists have not had direct experience with many vaccine-preventable diseases since the creation of national vaccination programs. Despite the elimination of endemic transmission of some of these diseases in the United States, outbreaks can occur anywhere and still pose a threat to public health around the world. Recent outbreaks and changing trends in exemption rates indicate that it is important for physicians to maintain a working knowledge of how these diseases present and of the recommended treatment guidelines. Objectives This review will evaluate the current state of vaccination rates, vaccine exemption rates and disease incidence in the United States and in the world. It will also examine the clinical presentation and treatment recommendations of these diseases. Data Synthesis United States estimated vaccination rates, vaccine exemption rates and vaccine-preventable disease incidences were obtained from data compiled by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. World vaccination rates and disease incidences were obtained from the World Health Organization databases, which compile official figures reported by member states. A PubMed literature review provided information on the current state of vaccination exemptions and outbreaks in the United States. Conclusion Vaccination and vaccine exemption rates continue to put the United States and many areas of the world at risk for outbreaks of vaccine-preventable diseases. Clinical guidelines should be reviewed in the event of a local outbreak.

Longitudinal profiling of the vaccination coverage in Brazil reveals a recent change in the patterns hallmarked by differential reduction across regions

“…This observation is of extreme concern, because of the increased susceptibility to new infections in this age group due to their less mature immune system. Furthermore, successfully controlled VPDs would be ready to return, potentially causing new epidemics, raising challenges for new physicians without experience in these diseases (Greenlee and Newton, 2018). Since 2016, vaccination coverage has fallen by about 10-20% in children under 10 years of age in Brazil (Hussain et al, 2018).…”

“…Over recent decades, humanity has seen the control or eradication of several diseases due to the development of vaccines (Hotez et al, 2020). Some generations have never experienced an epidemic situation of certain diseases such as measles and polio (Greenlee and Newton, 2018). Recently, however, the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic has been affecting countries worldwide, and the current absence of an effective vaccination against the virus has had a devastating impact on public health, with millions of casualties (Luan et al, 2020;Velavan and Meyer, 2020), reinforcing the importance of vaccines.…”

COVID-19 au Sénégal: réflexion d´un microbiologiste

“…Depuis toujours et dans tous les pays du monde, les maladies infectieuses ont constitué l´une des premières causes de morbidité et de mortalité [ 1 , 2 ]. Aujourd´hui, grâce à la vaccination et les progrès de la médecine moderne, la mortalité de certaines maladies comme la variole, le tétanos, la poliomyélite, la fièvre jaune, la rougeole et la coqueluche a fortement diminué [ 3 ]. Cependant, certaines maladies respiratoires continuent de constituer un problème majeur de santé publique surtout dans les pays à ressources très limitées particulièrement en Afrique chez les enfants de moins de 5 ans, les personnes âgées ou vivant avec une maladie chronique [ 4 , 5 ].…”

Armed conflict, a neglected determinant of childhood vaccination: some children are left behind

“…27 The eradication of smallpox, the near eradication of endemic poliomyelitis and the elimination of both measles and rubella from the WHO Region of the Americas in 2002 are some of the glaring benefits of vaccination. 28,29 According to Akil and Ahmad 30 in the 80s, polio was paralyzing at least 1000 children every day worldwide. However, following the widespread use of the oral polio vaccine (OPV), the number of children that were paralyzed by polio plummeted from 350,000 in 1988 to just 1606 in 2009.…”

“…However, to achieve a significant herd immunity, there must be enough protected individuals in a population whose immunization has exceeded the herd immunity threshold, defined as the fraction of a society that must be immunized to confer herd immunity on those not vaccinated against that disease. 17,29 Studies in health economics have also demonstrated that a healthy community leads to high economic growth and development because healthy people work harder, efficiently, attract foreign direct investment and infrastructural development. 28 Vaccinated children usually grow to their full potential, have better cognitive skills, improved life expectancy, and are more likely to progress in school and acquire a higher level of education.…”