State Of Alaska Vaccine Administration Program

From AlaskaClinic

Our clinic is administering adult vaccinations using the State of Alaska sponsored immunization program. The State currently provides Tdap and pneumococcal vaccines, and PPD screening for adults free of charge. Every person that is over the age of 18 that comes to visit us here at the clinic may choose to receive any of these items, as long as there is not a contraindication (such as an egg allergy), regardless of their ability to pay an administration fee.

Pneumococcal Vaccine

Pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine (PPV) provides protection against pneumococccal disease which is a serious disease that causes much sickness and death. Pneumococcal disease kills more people in the United states each year than all other vaccine preventable diseases combined. Anyone can get pneumococcal disease. However some people are at greater risk from the disease. These include people 65 and older, the very young, and people with special health problems such as alcoholism, heart or lung disease, kidney failure, diabetes, HIV infection, or certain types of cancer.

Pneumococcal disease can lead to serious infections of the lungs (pneumonia), the blood (bacteremia), and the covering of the brain (meningitis). About 1 out of every 20 people who get pneumococcal pneumonia dies from it, as do about 2 people out of 10 who get bacteremia and 3 people out of 10 who get meningitis. People with the special health problems mentioned above are even more likely to die from the disease.

Drugs such as penicillin were once effective in treating these infections; but the disease has become more resistant to these drugs, making treatment of pneumococcal infections more difficult. This makes prevention of the disease through vaccination even more important.

Tdap Vaccine

Tdap (Tetanus, Diphtheria, Pertussis) vaccine can protect adolescents and adults against three serious diseases. Tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis are all caused by bacteria. Diphtheria and pertussis are spread from person to person. Tetanus enters the body through cuts, scratches, or wounds. TETANUS (Lockjaw) causes painful tightening of the muscles, usually all over the body. It can lead to locking of the jaw so the victim cannot open his mouth or swallow. Tetanus leads to death in up to 2 cases out of 10. DIPHTHERIA causes a thick covering in the back of the throat. It can lead to breathing problems, paralysis, heart failure, and even death. PERTUSSIS (Whooping Cough) causes severe coughing spells, vomiting, and disturbed sleep. It can lead to weight loss, incontinence, rib fractures and passing out from violent coughing, pneumonia, and hospitalization due to complications. In 2004 there were more than 25,000 cases of pertussis in the U.S. More than 8,000 of these cases were among adolescents and more than 7,000 were among adults. Up to 2 in 100 adolescents and 5 in 100 adults with pertussis are hospitalized or have complications.

Tdap was licensed in 2005. It is the first vaccine for adolescents and adults that protects against all three diseases. While Td (tetanus and diphtheria) vaccine has been used for many years as booster doses for adolescents and adults, It does not contain pertussis vaccine.

Adults 19 through 64 years of age should substitute Tdap for one booster dose of Td. Td should be used for later booster doses. Adults who expect to have close contact with an infant younger than 12 months of age should get a dose of Tdap. Waiting at least 2 years since the last dose of Td is suggested, but not required.

Healthcare workers who have direct patient contact in hospitals or clinics should get a dose of Tdap. A 2-year interval since the last Td is suggested, but not required.

PPD

PPD is used in the United States as a screening test for Tuberculosis, it is solely a diagnostic screening tool and does not protect one from contracting TB. Unfortunately, this is not a perfect test, and up to 20% of people infected with tuberculosis may not have a reaction on the PPD skin test. In addition, individuals with certain conditions which affect the immune system (cancer, recent chemotherapy, late-stage AIDS) may also have a false-negative test result. But none the less it is a very help tool and often required prior to working in various industries.