This activity presents an expert panel discussion about issues in adult immunization, taped at the conclusion of the October 2008 ICAAC/IDSA Joint Annual Meeting in Washington, DC.  The focus is on five vaccine-preventable diseases in adults: Influenza, Pneumococcal Disease, Pertussis, Herpes Zoster, and Human Papillomavirus (HPV) infection.  The expert panel addresses frequently asked questions about adult immunization and provides clinically relevant updates on the latest scientific findings concerning these diseases.  

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends vaccinations from birth through adulthood to provide a lifetime of immunity. There are currently 17 diseases that can be prevented by vaccines recommended for routine administration across all age groups in the United States. Several vaccines approved since 2005 are recommended specifically for use in adults. But the fact is that most adults are not getting vaccinated as recommended, leaving themselves needlessly vulnerable to illness, long-term suffering and even death.

**57% of adults report having a Td booster in the past 10 years

Nearly 50,000 Americans, mostly adults, die every year from vaccine-preventable diseases and hundreds of thousands more are hospitalized. While these individuals suffer the worst consequences of vaccine-preventable diseases, so many more are affected. Millions get sick and miss work, cannot care for their children or elderly parents, and run the risk of passing the infectious diseases they get on to others.

• Describe the safety, side-effects and immunogenicity of the zoster vaccine alone or when given concomitantly with the pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine; Discuss the use of the zoster vaccine in patients with prior history of Herpes zoster. 
• For HIV infected patients, recognize the high prevalence of persistent HPV infection to accurately answer patient questions and to provide management for possible HPV-related cancer. 
• Review the new data on influenza and influenza vaccine presented at the IDSA/ICAAC meeting so that the participant can optimally prevent and treat influenza in their practice setting. 
• Review the approach to protecting infants from pertussis by immunizing those likely to be in close contact.
• Review the recommendations for use of pneumococcal vaccines in adults in order to implement appropriate vaccination for patients.
• Review the impact of pediatric pneumococcal conjugate vaccine use on the epidemiology of adult pneumococcal disease.

The National Foundation for Infectious Diseases (NFID) is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to provide Continuing Medical Education (CME) for physicians.  NFID takes responsibility for the content, quality, and scientific integrity of this CME activity.

NFID is an approved provider of continuing nursing education by the Maryland Nurses Association, an accredited approver by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission on Accreditation.

NFID designates this CME activity for a maximum of 2.0 AMA PRA Category 1 credits^TM.  Physicians should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

This educational activity has been approved for 2.0 contact hour for nurse participants. 

There are no fees for participating in and receiving continuing education credit or contact hours for this activity.  In order to obtain credit or contact hours for participating in this activity during the period January 15, 2009, through January 15, 2010, participants must:

• Register for the program where prompted.
• Review the learning objectives and faculty disclosures.
• Study all parts of the educational activity.
• Complete the post-test by recording the best answer to each question.  A minimum score of 80% is required on the post-test. 
• Complete the evaluation form.
• Submit the evaluation form and post-test online per the instructions provided.  A statement of credit or certificate of completion will be issued immediately online.  

For continuing education questions:  contact the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases at 301-656-0003 ext. 19 or by email to cme@nfid.org. 

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As a sponsor accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases must ensure balance, independence, objectivity, and scientific rigor in all its educational activities.  All individuals in a position to control the content of the activity have disclosed: (1) any relevant financial interest or other relationship with the manufacturer(s) of any commercial product(s) and/or provider(s) of commercial services discussed in an educational presentation and/or with any commercial supporters of the activity; (2) any intention to discuss off-label uses of regulated substances or devices.  Disclosure information is reviewed in advance to manage and resolve any real or perceived conflict of interest that may affect the balance and scientific integrity of an educational presentation.

Dr. Mark Dworkin has stocks, stock options and/or bond holdings in Merck and has received financial compensation from sanofi pasteur. 

Dr. Monica Farley has received financial compensation from Wyeth.

Dr. Janet Gilsdorf reports no relevant financial relationships.

Dr. Kathleen Neuzil reports no relevant financial relationships. 

Dr. Michael Simberkoff reports no relevant financial relationships. 

Dr. Susan J. Rehm, NFID Medical Director, has received financial compensation from Cubist Pharmaceuticals and Pfizer Inc.

All other NFID and SciMedMedia personnel involved in the development of content for this activity report no relevant financial relationships.

This educational activity may contain discussion of published, investigational and/or off-label uses of agents that are not indicated by the FDA.  Faculty will disclose this information during their discussion.