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Tracy Hampton, PhD

JAMA. 2008;299(9):1007.

	Since this article does not have an abstract, we have provided the first 150 words of the full text and any section headings.

A new US survey reports unacceptably low adult immunization rates and a lack of public awareness of the threat of infectious diseases, say public health officials. The most recent National Immunization Survey from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) indicates that while most individuals are familiar with the benefits of influenza vaccination, they are unaware of the many other diseases that are preventable by immunization (http://www.cdc.gov/nis/).

In the United States alone, there are more than 1 million cases of shingles, more than 6 million new human papillomavirus (HPV) infections, and nearly 10 000 cases of cervical cancer detected annually. Incidence of pertussis also has risen significantly over the past few decades.

Noting low immunization rates among adults, officials are urging individuals to get vaccinated for preventable diseases. (Photo credit: Lea Paterson/www.sciencesource.com)

"As of today, an American adult who follows the recommended . . . [Full Text of this Article]

PROTECTION RATES