Vaccination is one of the greatest public health achievements
of the 20th century. Most vaccine preventable diseases are at
record lows in the United States, but that does not mean these diseases have disappeared. Many of the viruses and bacteria are still circulating or are only an international flight away.
In 2002, the United States had 9,771 cases of Pertussis, this was the highest number of cases since 1964. Many of these vaccine preventable disease, could begin to rise if we do not continue to immunize. It is important that children and adults receive recommended immunizations on time!
The table below shows the dramatic reduction in disease that vaccines have made.
| Disease | Max. cases reported | Year max. reported | Reported cases 2000 |
% decrease |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Smallpox | 48,164* | 1900-1904 | 0 | 100% |
| Diphtheria | 175,885 | 1921 | 1 | 100% |
| Pertussis | 147,271 | 1934 | 7,867 | 94.7% |
| Tetanus (lockjaw) | 1,314 | 1948 | 35 | 97.3% |
| Polio (wild virus) | 16,316 | 1952 | 0 | 100% |
| Measles | 503,282 | 1941 | 86 | 100% |
| Mumps | 152,209 | 1968 | 338 | 99.8% |
| Rubella | 47,745 | 1969 | 176 | 99.6% |
| Congenital Rubella Syndrome | 823 | 1964-65 | 9 | 98.9% |
| H. influenzae type b and unknown(<5yrs) | 20,000** | 1984 | 112 | 99.4% |
| Hepatitis B | 26,654 | 1985 | 8,036 | 69.9% |
*Average annual number of cases during 1900-1904.
**Estimated number of cases from population-based surveillance studies before vaccine licensure in 1985.
Sources:
1. MMWR, January 5, 2001; 49 (51 & 52).
2. "Achievements in Public Health, 1900-1999: Impact of Vaccines Universally Recommended for Children-United States, 1900-1998." MMWR, April 2, 1999; vol. 48, no.12.