National Network for Immunization Information (NNii)

The National Network for Immunization Information (NNii), a service provided by Immunizations for Public Health, provides policy makers, healthcare professionals, the media, and the public with im-munization-related material backed up by scientific verification. The goal is to help all populations make quality decisions about immunizations. NNii collaborates with agencies worldwide to effect improved global health through the use of vaccinations, and the organization also focuses on developing, producing, distributing, and using vaccines. NNii does not accept any funding from the government or from the pharmaceutical industry.

NNii is an affiliate of a number of medical associations, including the Infectious Diseases Society of America, the Pediatric Infectious Diseases Society, [Page 1202]the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Nurses Association, the American Academy of Family Physicians, the National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, and the University of Texas Medical Branch.

The first vaccination (smallpox) was developed in 1796; currently, there are 11 childhood vaccinations in the United States, plus ones for people traveling to foreign countries (yellow fever) or for people at unique risk (anthrax immunization for professionals who work with animals). Vaccinations currently in development include those combating West Nile virus, severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), herpes, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), Ebola, and respiratory syncytial virus, which can cause bronchitis, plus pneumonia among babies.

Although vaccinations are typically associated with childhood in the United States, as many as 60,000 adults die annually in this country from diseases that can be prevented by an immunization. These include tetanus, influenza, and pneumococcal disease; combined, the last two serve as the seventh leading cause of death in the United States. Moreover, diseases such as mumps or chicken pox, if contracted by an adult, are far more likely to present complications. If an adult woman contracts rubella while pregnant, the fetus is at significantly increased risk of being miscarried or stillborn, or if carried to term, to suffer from birth defects.

Reasons for unprotected adults include some were not vaccinated as children; new immunizations continually develop; some immunity from vaccinations is reduced over time; and certain diseases impact adults more severely than they do children.

More than 90 percent of American children receive immunizations, but fewer than 70 percent of adults are fully protected. In large part, the Vaccines for Children Act, which provides vaccines for children without insurance or underinsured, and state regulations that require vaccinations for school-aged children cause most children to receive necessary vaccines.

To offer similar safeguards for adults, organizations such as the National Coalition for Adult Immunization and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) are increasing educational levels about vaccines and reducing costs.

NNii offers a kit to help healthcare professional provide immunization information to their patients. This kit was created after consulting with immunization and risk experts, along with physicians, nurses, and parents. This agency also provides parents with information to filter out misinformation about vaccines found on the internet, providing quality informational sites as well.