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Immunization Program

Vaccine Preventable Diseases in the United States

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.