title: American College of Preventive Medicine practice policy statement: childhood immunizations.
abstract: Vaccine-preventable diseases were a major cause of mortality and morbidity in the United States in the 20th century. With the advent of immunizations, there have been dramatic rates of decline in these diseases. Clinical studies have shown vaccines to be efficacious and cost effective. Despite the simplification of the immunization schedule, vaccination rates are still suboptimal because of missed opportunities. Although several controversies have arisen about the safety of childhood immunizations, they are yet to be validated. There have been recent concerns about the stability of the infrastructure that supports the U.S. immunization program. Research has established strong evidence that certain interventions can increase vaccination coverage rates. The American College of Preventive Medicine outlines recommendations for childhood immunizations.
authors.affiliation: Preventive Medicine Residency Program, Department of Social Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599-7426, USA. yadetunji@aol.com
authors.forename: Yemisi
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Adetunji
authors.forename: Daniel
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Macklin
authors.forename: Rita
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Patel
authors.forename: Linda
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Kinsinger
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D001424:Bacterial Infections / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D006801:Humans; D017589:Immunization Programs / Q000592:standards*; D007115:Immunization Schedule; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D011315:Preventive Medicine / Q000592:standards*; D011635:Public Health Administration; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology; D014612:Vaccines / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D014777:Virus Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control
chemical_list: D014612:Vaccines