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John J. Witte, MD

JAMA. 1973;226(1):65-66.

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

The control and prevention of communicable diseases through immunization is a well established component of good medical care. During recent years, the availability and wide usage of vaccines have accounted for dramatic reductions in the morbidity and mortality from a number of once-feared diseases. Smallpox has disappeared from the United States (as well as from most of the world) because of effective vaccination programs. Epidemics of poliomyelitis no longer occur, thanks to extensive use of effective vaccines. The occurrence of diphtheria, pertussis, and tetanus has been substantially reduced as a result of systematic and comprehensive immunization. The use of measles vaccine has accounted for a sharp decline in the number of rubeola cases and deaths.

This record of achievement is impressive and we can feel assured that major problems from these diseases are no longer a factor in modern medical practice. Or, can we? Although no large epidemics of poliomyelitis . . . [Full Text PDF of this Article]

Author Affiliations
Center for Disease Control Atlanta

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