FRIDAY, Aug. 29 (HealthDay News) -- Immunization shots used to be the realm of the young.

Babies would go through series after series of vaccinations. And toddlers would take their shots before entering preschool.

And they still do. But vaccines are now expanding to include all age ranges, in an attempt to ward off disease from the cradle to the grave.

What's more, immunization rates continue to gradually improve in the United States, although not as quickly as public health officials would like.

Despite ongoing safety concerns from parents, consumer groups and politicians, a chemical used in baby bottles, canned food and other items is not dangerous, federal regulators said Friday.

Food and Drug Administration scientists said the trace amounts of bisphenol A that leach out of food containers are not a threat to infants or adults. The agency acknowledged that more research is needed to fully understand the chemical's effects on humans, and noted "there are always uncertainties associated with safety decisions."

By Ed Edelson
HealthDay Reporter

FRIDAY, July 18 (HealthDay News) -- Correcting lazy eye in adults is supposed to be impossible, but researchers report they have been able to do that -- at least partially and temporarily -- by beaming magnetic pulses into the brain.

According to the U.S. government, adults who skip their immunizations for a number of ailments including whooping cough and influenza are creating a health crisis. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, only 2.1% of adults aged 18 to 64 are immunized against tetanus, diphtheria and whooping cough, even though since 2006 there has been a combination vaccine that can protect against all three. (Source: WSJ)

The result could be a national push to get doctors to check immunization charts of their adult patients in much the same way they would for those under 18.

By Steven Reinberg
EmpowHer's HealthDay Reporter

THURSDAY, May 15 (HealthDay News) -- All adults aged 60 and older should be vaccinated against shingles, a condition that can cause debilitating chronic pain, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommended on Thursday.