ALEXANDRIA, Va. -- The National Partnership for Immunization (NPI) supports the decision of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) to recommend universal Tdap (Tetanus Toxoid, Reduced Diphtheria Toxoid and Acellular Pertussis Vaccine, Adsorbed (Tdap)) booster vaccination for adolescents. We believe the universal recommendation of this pertussis booster vaccine will further improve and enhance the health and well-being of adolescents by helping to protect them from this serious and highly contagious disease, NPI states in the press release.
Pertussis is a serious and growing public health threat, with outbreaks occurring nationwide, particularly among adolescents who accounted for almost 40 percent of cases reported to the CDC in 2004, says David A. Neumann, PhD, executive director of NPI. ACIPs recommendation is an important step in ensuring that all adolescents in the U.S. are better protected against pertussis, a serious vaccine-preventable disease.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently approved Boostrix (Tetanus Toxoid, Reduced Diphtheria Toxoid and Acellular Pertussis Vaccine, Adsorbed (Tdap)), which is indicated to be given as a single dose to individuals 10 to 18 years of age thereby adding a pertussis component to the routine tetanus/diphtheria booster currently recommended for teens.
The introduction of Boostrix and the recommendation for universal vaccination for teens marks a milestone in the fight against pertussis in the U.S., particularly among adolescents who are an important reservoir for the disease and often the source of infection for others, Neumann says. There has been an alarming 743 percent increase in reported adolescent pertussis cases in the last decade. Due to these troubling statistics, it is critical for adolescents to receive extended protection against pertussis.
Source: The National Partnership for Immunization
Stay prepared and protected with Infection Control Today's newsletter, delivering essential updates, best practices, and expert insights for infection preventionists.
Reducing Hidden Risks: Why Sharps Injuries Still Go Unreported
July 18th 2025Despite being a well-known occupational hazard, sharps injuries continue to occur in health care facilities and are often underreported, underestimated, and inadequately addressed. A recent interview with sharps safety advocate Amanda Heitman, BSN, RN, CNOR, a perioperative educational consultant, reveals why change is overdue and what new tools and guidance can help.
New Study Explores Oral Vancomycin to Prevent C difficile Recurrence, But Questions Remain
July 17th 2025A new clinical trial explores the use of low-dose oral vancomycin to prevent Clostridioides difficile recurrence in high-risk patients taking antibiotics. While the data suggest a possible benefit, the findings stop short of statistical significance and raise red flags about vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus (VRE), underscoring the delicate balance between prevention and antimicrobial stewardship.
What Lies Beneath: Why Borescopes Are Essential for Verifying Surgical Instrument Cleanliness
July 16th 2025Despite their smooth, polished exteriors, surgical instruments often harbor dangerous contaminants deep inside their lumens. At the HSPA25 and APIC25 conferences, Cori L. Ofstead, MSPH, and her colleagues revealed why borescopes are an indispensable tool for sterile processing teams, offering the only reliable way to verify internal cleanliness and improve sterile processing effectiveness to prevent patient harm.
The Next Frontier in Infection Control: AI-Driven Operating Rooms
Published: July 15th 2025 | Updated: July 15th 2025Discover how AI-powered sensors, smart surveillance, and advanced analytics are revolutionizing infection prevention in the OR. Herman DeBoard, PhD, discusses how these technologies safeguard sterile fields, reduce SSIs, and help hospitals balance operational efficiency with patient safety.
Targeting Uncertainty: Why Pregnancy May Be the Best Time to Build Vaccine Confidence
July 15th 2025New national survey data reveal high uncertainty among pregnant individuals—especially first-time parents—about vaccinating their future children, underscoring the value of proactive engagement to strengthen infection prevention.