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.

ATLANTA - A federal advisory panel on Thursday endorsed two new combination vaccines designed to reduce the number of needle sticks that young children must endure to get the recommended immunizations.

The panel gave its nod to a four-in-one shot made by GlaxoSmithKline. It offers protection against diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis and polio and costs $45. It's given once to preschool-aged children.

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By Dennis Thompson
EmpowHer's HealthDay Reporter

FRIDAY, April 18 (HealthDay News) -- For the first time, a doctor's arsenal now includes a vaccine that can actually prevent cancer.

At most Universities, and I assume other educational public institutions, it is mandatory for students to receive certain vaccines. There are waivers for religious or medical reasons that will allow the student to be on that campus without receiving the required immunizations.

I would like to know why the vast majority of pediatricians absolutely refuse to even talk to parents of children who worry about the connection between immunization (particularly MMR/thimerosal) shots and autism.

If there is no connection (and since we don't know WHAT causes autism, how can we be so sure what DOES NOT cause it) then fine but why the fear in even discussing it?

If there is a connection, the law prevents any lawsuits against pharmaceutical companies, but the government has set up a fund in case of a connection. Seems rather strange to me.