News & Perspective

(CIDRAP News) – Washington state is battling its biggest pertussis outbreak in more than three decades, and cuts in local health department budgets are among the factors reported to be complicating the state's response to the epidemic.

(CIDRAP News) – Federal vaccine advisors today simplified their pertussis immunization recommendation for adults by advising that all those over age 19—including seniors 65 and older—should receive one dose of tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis (Tdap) vaccine if they haven't received it already.

(CIDRAP News) – In an effort to protect males against certain cancers and to indirectly protect women, the federal government's vaccine advisory group today approved a recommendation for routine vaccination of boys ages 11 or 12 with the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine.

(CIDRAP News) – In the wake of a bad year for pertussis (whooping cough) in 2010, the federal Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommended today that healthcare personnel (HCP) get vaccinated against the disease and that employers should foot the bill.

(CIDRAP News) – A federal vaccine advisory group today approved recommendations to fill some gaps in pertussis vaccination as a way to further protect babies who aren't yet fully immunized.