Articles

Vaccinating Teens: Current Guidelines, Challenges, and Opportunities

Elyse Olshen Kharbanda, MD, MPH; Jessica A. Kahn, MD, MPH

  • Pediatric Annals
  • August 2010 - Volume 39 · Issue 8: 483-489
  • DOI: 10.3928/00904481-20100726-06
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Abstract

The widespread use of vaccines and consequent reductions in vaccine-preventable illnesses has been heralded as one of the greatest public health achievements of the 20th century. Some of the most notable accomplishments include the eradication of smallpox, the elimination of polio from the Western Hemisphere, and the near elimination of measles in the United States. In general, vaccines are recommended for the youngest age group in which they are likely to be safe and effective. Therefore, most vaccines are recommended for young children, and vaccine schedules have been harmonized with recommended early childhood preventive health visits.

AUTHORS

Elyse Olshen Kharbanda, MD, MPH, is Clinician Research Investigator at Health Partners Research Foundation, Minneapolis, MN. Jessica A. Kahn, MD, MPH, is Assistant Chair, Academic Affairs and Faculty Development, and Associate Professor, Pediatrics, Division of Adolescent Medicine, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH.

Dr. Kharbanda and Dr. Khan have disclosed no relevant financial relationships.

Address correspondence to: Jessica A. Kahn, MD, MPH, Division of Adolescent Medicine, MLC 4000, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, 3333 Burnet Ave., Cincinnati, OH 45229; fax: 513-636-1129; e-mail .jessica.kahn@cchmc.org

doi: 10.3928/00904481-20100726-06

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