BOSTON -- Most adults are not up to date on their vaccinations, says a new report from HarvardMedicalSchool. The report, “Viruses and Infectious Diseases,” describes how fast-adapting viruses pose an advancing threat to human health and urges adults to seek out new vaccines and renew their old ones.
The new report explains how viruses and other infections affect the body, and what adults should do to protect themselves. It warns adults not to assume that the vaccines they received as children will protect them for life. Here are some of the reasons adults need vaccination:
• Some adults were never vaccinated as children.
• Newer vaccines were not available when today’s adults were children.
• Immunity can begin to fade over time.
• As you age, you become more susceptible to serious disease caused by common infections.
• You may travel to areas where infectious diseases that are rare where you live are much more common.
• You may come in contact with people who have been exposed to unusual infectious diseases.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is understandably cautious and very demanding before it will license a new vaccine, but it has recently licensed several vaccines against important infectious agents: HPV (human papillomavirus, which causes cervical cancer), varicella-zoster virus (which causes chickenpox and shingles), and meningococcus (which causes bacterial meningitis). The FDA has also approved a preliminary bird flu vaccine to keep stockpiled in case of a bird flu pandemic.
“Viruses and Infectious Diseases,” a 49-page special health report edited by Michael N. Starnbach, PhD, professor of microbiology at Harvard Medical School, also covers such topics as:
• Infectious disease in the 21st century
• Transmission of infectious disease
• Common and not-so-common viruses
“Viruses and Infectious Diseases” is available for $18 from Harvard Health Publications, the publishing division of Harvard Medical School. Order it online at www.health.harvard.edu/HF or by calling toll-free at (877) 649–9457.
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.