also be acquired from a pool of antibodies from human or animal sources. This
is acquired passive immunity.
Passive immunity is transient—lasting no more than several weeks to a few
months. The individual does not mount his or her own immune response to anti-
gens. Acquired passive immunity is important when time does not permit active
vaccination alone, when the exposed individual is at high risk for complications
of the disease, or when the person suffers from an immune system deficiency
that renders that person unable to produce an effective immune response.Preventing Diseases
More than 20 infectious diseases in the United States can be prevented by vac-
cination. Some vaccines are routinely administered to both children and adults.
Other vaccines are given under special circumstances to military personnel,
travellers whose destination are certain foreign countries, and the chronically ill.
These preventable diseases include adenovirus, cholera, diphtheria,
Haemophilus influenzaetype b (Hib), hepatitis A, hepatitis B, influenza, Japanese
encephalitis, Lyme disease, measles, meningococcal disease, poliomyelitis, rabies,
rotavirus, rubella, tetanus, tuberculosis, typhoid, varicella, and yellow fever.
The Center for Disease Control (CDC) recommends a schedule for vacci-
nation for children Web site (http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/
mm5351-Immunizationa1.htm).ADULT IMMUNIZATIONS
Adults are frequently overlooked when it comes to vaccination because empha-
sis is placed on preventing children from developing preventable diseases.
However, the CDC suggests adults review their immunizations on decade birth-
days (20, 30, 40, 50, and 60).
Adults should also review their immunizations every time they travel to a for-
eign country regardless of their age. The CDC provides information regarding
appropriate immunizations on their Web site (http://www.cdc.gov/).ADVERSE EVENT S OF VACCINE
Biologic products such as vaccines do not undergo the pharmacokinetic process
that is associated with other drug therapies. Vaccines are generally safe. Some(^322) CHAPTER 17 Immunologic Agents