The federal Centers for Disease Control is drawing fire for its decision to focus a $3 million immunization study on teenagers rather than children. Officials had planned to gather data on whether children in 22 large metros with historically low immunization rates had been getting all of the immunizations recommended by pediatricians. Instead, they have decided to focus on teens, who are being targeted by pharma companies for a number of new vaccines. Vaccines targeting adolescents include new human papilloma virus (HPV) vaccine, meningococcal meningitis vaccine and boosters for tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis. But public health officials around the U.S. say that the CDC's plans are flawed, as children are particularly vulnerable, particularly in the poor areas targeted by the study. Given the childhood vaccines' track record of success, it's easy to question the CDC's decision. After all, focusing on treatments that already work just makes sense.
For more more about the CDC's research:
- read this Washington Post piece
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