Immunizations and Screenings
Regular health exams and tests can help find problems before they start. They also can help find
problems early, when chances for treatment and cure are better. By getting the right health services,
screenings, and treatments, people are taking steps that help their chances for living a longer,
healthier life.1
Immunization is the process whereby a person is made immune or resistant to an infectious disease, typically by the administration of a vaccine. Vaccines stimulate the body's own immune system to protect the person against subsequent infection or disease. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends routine vaccination to prevent vaccine-preventable diseases that occur in infants, children, adolescents, and adults.
Screenings are medical tests that doctors use to check for certain disorders before there are any symptoms. Screenings help find disorders early, when they may be easier to treat.2
Immunization is a proven tool for controlling and eliminating life-threatening infectious diseases and is estimated to avert between 2 and 3 million deaths each year. It is one of the most cost-effective health investments, with proven strategies that make it accessible to even the most hard-to-reach and vulnerable populations. It has clearly defined target groups; it can be delivered effectively through outreach activities; and vaccination does not require any major lifestyle change.4 Immunization directly protects individuals who receive vaccines and herd (community) immunity prevents the spread of infection in the community by indirectly protecting those who can't get vaccinated for certain diseases, such as people with some serious allergies and those with weakened or failing immune systems (like people who have cancer, HIV/AIDS, type 1 diabetes, or other health conditions). Community immunity is also important for the very small group of people who don't have a strong immune response from vaccines.5
Immunization is the process whereby a person is made immune or resistant to an infectious disease, typically by the administration of a vaccine. Vaccines stimulate the body's own immune system to protect the person against subsequent infection or disease. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends routine vaccination to prevent vaccine-preventable diseases that occur in infants, children, adolescents, and adults.
Screenings are medical tests that doctors use to check for certain disorders before there are any symptoms. Screenings help find disorders early, when they may be easier to treat.2
1. Check-Ups are Important, downloaded on 6/8/2015 from
www.cdc.gov/family/checkup.
2. Get screened to stay healthy, downloaded on 6/8/2015 from http://healthfinder.gov/HealthTopics/Category/doctor-visits/screening-tests/get-screened#the-basics_1.
2. Get screened to stay healthy, downloaded on 6/8/2015 from http://healthfinder.gov/HealthTopics/Category/doctor-visits/screening-tests/get-screened#the-basics_1.
Why It's Important
Preventive services are key to reducing death and disability and improving the Nation's health. These services both prevent and detect illnesses and diseases—from flu to cancer—in their earlier, more treatable stages, significantly reducing the risk of illness, disability, early death, and medical care costs. Yet, despite the fact that these services are covered by Medicare, Medicaid, and many private insurance plans under the Affordable Care Act, millions of children, adolescents, and adults go without clinical preventive services that could protect them from developing a number of serious diseases or help them treat certain health conditions before they worsen.3 Increasing the number of people who take advantage of and have access to clinical preventive services continues to be a major public health challenge.Immunization is a proven tool for controlling and eliminating life-threatening infectious diseases and is estimated to avert between 2 and 3 million deaths each year. It is one of the most cost-effective health investments, with proven strategies that make it accessible to even the most hard-to-reach and vulnerable populations. It has clearly defined target groups; it can be delivered effectively through outreach activities; and vaccination does not require any major lifestyle change.4 Immunization directly protects individuals who receive vaccines and herd (community) immunity prevents the spread of infection in the community by indirectly protecting those who can't get vaccinated for certain diseases, such as people with some serious allergies and those with weakened or failing immune systems (like people who have cancer, HIV/AIDS, type 1 diabetes, or other health conditions). Community immunity is also important for the very small group of people who don't have a strong immune response from vaccines.5
- Infants who are too young to be vaccinated;
- People who cannot be vaccinated for medical reasons (i.e. immunocompromised individuals);
- People who may not adequately respond to immunization (i.e. elderly persons).
3. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Office of Disease Prevention
and Health Promotion. Healthy People 2020. Washington, DC. Downloaded from
https://www.healthypeople.gov/2020/leading-health-indicators/2020-lhi-topics/Clinical-Preventive-Services
on 2/10/2015.
4. World Health Organization. Immunization. Accessed 2/26/2019 at https://www.who.int/topics/immunization/en/. 5. Vaccines.gov. Vaccines Protect Your Community. Accessed 2/26/2019 at https://www.vaccines.gov/basics/work/protection/index.html.
4. World Health Organization. Immunization. Accessed 2/26/2019 at https://www.who.int/topics/immunization/en/. 5. Vaccines.gov. Vaccines Protect Your Community. Accessed 2/26/2019 at https://www.vaccines.gov/basics/work/protection/index.html.
- Blood Cholesterol Screening
- Blood Pressure: Doctor-diagnosed Hypertension
- Breast Cancer - Mammography
- Cervical Cancer Screening (Pap)
- Colorectal Cancer Screening
- Critical Congenital Heart Disease (CCHD) Screening
- Immunization - Influenza, Adults
- Immunizations - Influenza, Children and Teens
- Immunizations - HPV, Adolescents
- Immunizations - Pneumonia, Adults
- Immunizations - Recommended Immunizations by Age 24 Months
- Newborn Hearing Screening
- Newborn Heelstick Screening
- Prostate Cancer Screening
Influenza Vaccination - Adults (BRFSS)
Pneumococcal Vaccination - Adults (BRFSS)
Shingles or Zoster Vaccine - Adults (BRFSS)
Tetanus Shot - Adults (BRFSS)
Mammography - Women 40+ (BRFSS)
Clinical Breast Examination - Women 40+ (BRFSS)
Pap Test - Women 18+ (BRFSS)
Sigmoidoscopy or Colonoscopy - Adults 50+ (BRFSS)
Recommended Colon Cancer Screening - Adults 50+ (BRFSS)
- Recommended Colon Cancer Screening - Crude Rates
- Recommended Colon Cancer Screening - Age-adjusted Rates
Cholesterol Screening - Adults (BRFSS)
Prostate-Specific Antigen Screening - Men 40+ (BRFSS)
- Prostate-Specific Antigen Screening - Crude Rates
- Prostate-Specific Antigen Screening - Age-adjusted Rates
- Discussed Advantages of PSA Testing With Dr - Crude Rates
- Discussed Advantages of PSA Testing With Dr - Age-adjusted Rates
- Discussed Disadvantages of PSA Testing With Dr - Crude Rates
- Discussed Disadvantages of PSA Testing With Dr - Age-adjusted Rates