Vaccine-preventable diseases are on the rise, making it essential for people to stay up to date on immunizations, said Dr. Jane Weida, a family medicine physician at University Medical Center.
She presented “Staying Sharp on Shots: Immunization and Infectious Disease Update” at a College of Community Health Sciences academic conference to residents, medical students, faculty and staff. In her presentation, Weida reviewed recommended vaccines for children and adults, discussed diseases that are re-emerging or newly appearing and stressed the role of health-care providers in promoting vaccinations.
Weida also encouraged attendees to look at trusted sources such as the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practice for the latest update on vaccine schedules to help broaden protection.
She began with a brief history of vaccines, noting that Dr. Edward Jenner, an English physician, developed the first smallpox vaccine in the late 1700s. “Smallpox once killed up to one-fifth of people in some towns,” Weida said, “but Jenner’s work eventually eliminated the disease and set the stage for modern vaccines.” She explained that vaccines have dramatically reduced deaths from infectious diseases that were once common killers, including tuberculosis, diphtheria and whooping cough.
Recent outbreaks underscore the continuing need for vaccination. Measles, for example, has surged nationwide, with more than 1,300 cases reported across 40 states this year. While Alabama has reported no cases, Weida emphasized the importance of herd immunity to prevent future spread. “Even if a state hasn’t seen cases recently, low vaccination rates can put communities at risk,” she said. Herd immunity occurs when a large portion of a population becomes immune to an infectious disease, making it difficult for the disease to spread, even to those who are not immune.
Influenza also remains a concern. During the 2019–2020 flu season, tens of millions of Americans were infected, leading to thousands of hospitalizations and hundreds of pediatric deaths. Weida explained that flu vaccines, updated each year, are recommended for everyone six months and older, and she highlighted specific guidance for children. “Young children may need two doses if they’ve never been vaccinated before, while older children typically need just one,” she said.
She also addressed COVID-19 vaccination, noting that more than 13 billion doses have been administered worldwide since 2020, protecting large portions of the global population. A new variant, NB.1.8.1, now known as “Nimbus,” has become common in the United States, but current data indicate it does not cause more severe illness.
“Staying current with COVID vaccines remains important, especially for high-risk groups,” she said.
Other illnesses covered included rotavirus, which causes severe diarrhea in young children, and meningococcal disease, which can lead to life-threatening infections in adolescents, older adults and high-risk populations. Vaccines have sharply reduced hospitalizations and deaths from these illnesses.
Weida concluded by urging health-care providers to educate patients and advocate for immunizations. “Vaccines are among our most powerful tools to prevent disease,” she said. “Access, education and trust are key to keeping communities safe.”