New Clinical and Public Health Challenges in Vaccinations in US Adults

During the past decade, growing recidivism has threatened the enormous beneficial impacts of vaccinations in the United States. The barriers are multifactorial and include increasing vaccine hesitancy. The continuing dedicated efforts of all healthcare professionals, along with advancements in vaccine technology and the resilience of public health systems, offers promise for the future. The ultimate goals of eradication and elimination of infectious diseases are within reach. The sustained commitments and collaborations of dedicated and conscientious individual healthcare providers and public health officials are important components. Healthcare providers and public health officials should remain cognizant that increasing vaccination rates are essential but not sufficient. Surveillance containment entails rapid detection and reporting of cases with prompt immunization of household members and close contacts of confirmed cases, combined with judicious use of isolation, prompt antiviral or antibiotic medications, social distancing, respiratory etiquette, home or large-scale quarantines, and masking. The continuing and expanded efforts of US healthcare providers are vital to these successes.