Immunizations

An Evolving Paradigm for Oral Health

Care Providers

a, b
Leslie R. Halpern, DDS, MD, PhD, MPH *, Charles Mouton, MD, MS

KEYWORDS
 Vaccine-preventable diseases  Vaccine effectiveness  Active
 Passive immunization  Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS)
 CDC Standard precautions

KEY POINTS
 The pervasive increase in transmissible vectors of infectious diseases has created great
concern in the health of populations globally.
 Oral health care professionals are especially at risk for the transmission of significant mi-
croorganisms, both bacterial and viral.
 The provider needs to be knowledgeable about the exposure/transmission of life-
threatening infections in their daily practice, as well as options for prevention.
 This article is designed to increase the oral health care provider’s awareness of vaccine-
preventable diseases that pose a high risk in the dental health care setting.
 Specific dosing strategies are suggested for the prevention of infections caused by
several bacterial and viral microorganisms based on available evidence and the epidemi-
ologic changes described recently.

INTRODUCTION

The pervasive increase in transmissible vectors of infectious diseases has created

great concern in the health of populations globally. The World Health Organization
has approximately 36 million health care workers worldwide with more than 3 million
who have not received vaccinations/immunizations.1,2 These health care providers are
exposed to a cornucopia of infectious agents as they perform their professional duties,
including being at high risk for injuries and transmission from exposure to blood borne
pathogens (BBPs).1,2 Of occupational exposures, 75% are percutaneous; the remain-
ing 25% are mucosal–cutaneous.1–4 Infection transmission in the oral health arena has

a
Residency Program, Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Meharry Medical College, 1005 DB Todd
Junior Boulevard, Nashville, TN 37208, USA; b Department of Family and Community Medicine,
Meharry Medical College, School of Medicine, Nashville, TN 37208, USA
* Corresponding author.
E-mail address: [email protected]

Dent Clin N Am 61 (2017) 401–424

http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.cden.2016.12.010 dental.theclinics.com
0011-8532/17/ª 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
402 Halpern & Mouton

been a global public health concern since the 1980s, when the human immunodefi-
ciency virus (HIV) epidemic came to light. Risk factor identification revealed the high
risk of contact between dentists and their patients serving as a vector for transmis-
sion.5,6 Furthermore, dentists experience puncture wounds by needles more than
any other health care specialist.4–7 As such, oral health care professionals are espe-
cially at greatest risk for the transmission of significant microorganisms, both bacterial
and viral (Table 1). There are numerous reports across the globe that document sig-
nificant cases where dentists still do not engage in safe practices with regard to barrier
protection; that is, gloves, eye glasses, facemasks, and other protective shields.3,4,6
In the 1980s, viral hepatitis, that is, hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection, was 4 times
greater among oral health care workers, which has declined significantly owing to
high compliance with HBV immunizations of the dental staff, as well as infection con-
trol practices referred to as universal precautions.8,9 The Centers for Disease Control
and Prevention (CDC) in 1996 expanded the “concept” of universal precautions to

Table 1
Representative infectious diseases in dentistry

Disease Name Etiologic Agent Incubation Time

Bacterial
Staphylococcal infections Staphylococcus aureus 4–10 d
Streptococcal infections Streptococcus pyogenic 2–3 d
Tuberculosis infections Mycobacterium tuberculosis Up to 6 mo
Diphtheria Corynebacterium diphtherias —
Pertussis Bordetella pertussis —
Viral
Recurrent herpetic Herpes simplex type 1 and type 2 2 wk
Rubella Rubella togavirus 9–11 d
Measles Paramyxovirus 10–12 d
Mumps Paramyxovirus 16–18 d
Influenza Live attenuated vaccine/H1N1 —
Hepatitis A Hepatitis A virus 14–28 d
Hepatitis B Hepatitis B virus 6 wk–6 mo
Hepatitis C Hepatitis C virus (non-A non-B Weeks–months
hepatitis)
Hepatitis D (delta) Hepatitis D virus (delta) Weeks–months
Varicella virus Varicella zoster —
Infectious mononucleosis Epstein–Barr virus 4–7 wk
Hand–foot–mouth disease Cocksackie virus A, B 2 d–3 wk
Herpangina Cocksackie virus A 5d
AIDS Human immunodeficiency virus Weeks–months
Fungal
Dermatomycosis Trichophyton microorganism Days–weeks
Superficial skin infections Epidermophyton/Candida —
Candidiasis miscellaneous Candida albicans/esophagitis Days–weeks
Superficial infections from hands Numerous organisms 2–3 d
and eyes

Adapted from Molinari JA. Infection control: its evolution to the current standard precautions. J
Am Dent Assoc 2003;134(5):570; with permission.
 Immunizations 403

standard precautions and in 2003 updated Guidelines for Infection Control in the
Dental Health-care Setting.8,9 In 2016, the CDC reissued a “Summary of Infection Pre-
vention Practices in Dental Settings: Basic Expectations for Safe Care.”8–10 Because
of the significant risk of exposure to BBPs, such as HBV, the oral health care provider
continues to be at high risk for not only viral infections, but also numerous bacterial
infections that are now increasing nationally and globally.
Although the immunization protocols for HBV are well-followed in the dental profes-
sion, few infection control guidelines have applied immunization paradigms against
other bacterial and viral diseases that pose a true risk for infection in dental health
personnel and their patients, including measles, rubella, tuberculosis (TB), and diph-
theria.3,4,11,12 Another caveat to this dilemma is assessing the state of vaccine confi-
dence in the United States based on the incidence and risk for these diseases.
Vaccine confidence defines the trust that health care providers and patients have
with respect to vaccine administration and recommended immunization sched-
ules.11–13 There is judicious monitoring of adverse effects of vaccine administration
by the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting system, who are in turn monitored by the
US Food and Drug Administration and the CDC.13 This is further discussed elsewhere
in this article.
This article is designed to increase the oral health care provider’s awareness of the
latest assessment of vaccine and immunization prevention for vaccine-preventable dis-
eases that pose a high risk in the dental health care setting. Basic principles of immu-
nology and immunization and vaccination are described, followed by recommendations
for the prevention and control of infectious diseases that can affect dental health care
personnel and their patients. Specific dosing strategies are suggested for the prevention
of infections caused by several bacterial and viral microorganisms based on available ev-
idence and the epidemiologic changes in diseases described in recent years to provide a
clear understanding of risks and benefits of vaccine-preventable diseases that pose a
public health consequence in the oral health care setting.

IMMUNOGENESIS, IMMUNIZATION, AND VACCINATION

Immunogenesis
The normal response of the immune system is predicated on a series of cellular events
and inflammatory cascades. The building blocks for immune mechanisms have their
origin within the reticuloendothelial system. The cells of the bone marrow, when
exposed to an antigenic agent, undergo a cascade of cellular differentiation to form
either lymphoid or myeloid cell lines.
Lymphoid cell line
This pleuripotential cell line can give rise to B, T, non-B, or non-T lymphocytes
that when exposed to the periphery mature and act on the allergen. Specifically, the
B lymphocytes are the catalyst for antibody production by interacting with an antigen
on the cell surface. B cells that mature into plasma cells can secret immunoglobulins,
as well as become memory cells that, when reexposed to an antigen, exert a second-
ary immunologic response. This interaction between B cells and antigen causes a
cascade of signals that act within the cytoplasm and cause the events of an allergic
reaction. T lymphocytes orchestrate a series of immunologic events at the level of
the B lymphocyte, macrophage, and natural killer cells. These lymphocytes also acti-
vate acute phase reactants such as cytokines, and surface membrane molecules of
the CD series and major histocompatibility complex pathways. Major histocompatibil-
ity complex pathways allow for the T lymphocyte to interact with an antigen to protect
the host.
404 Halpern & Mouton

Myeloid cell line

The myeloid cell line can mature into several types of blood cells. This cell lines’ pleur-
ipotency allows for a stem cell–like action, the differential capacity of cellular elements
that will form either mononuclear phagocytes or granulocytes. The mononuclear cells
enter the bloodstream and populate the endothelial environment as macrophages that
can phagocytize bacteria or initiate inflammatory cascades by their production of
acute phase reactants. In addition, they can interact with B lymphocytes to promote
the processing of antigen. Neutrophils that arise from this cell line are the catalysts
for the acute inflammatory response. The two main other cell lines from myeloid pre-
cursors are eosinophils and basophils. It is these two cells that are most important in
the early and late phases of the allergic reaction.

Immunoglobulins, complements, and acute phase reactants

There are five classes of immunoglobulins (Ig): IgA, IgD, IgE, IgG, and IgM. These pro-
teins are secreted by B cells. The immunoglobulin IgE is the most important in the im-
mediate hypersensitivity reaction seen in anaphylaxis. The complement system is the
most important in host resistance to infection. This group of proteins activates mast
cells, and modulates vascular permeability, the release of inflammatory mediators,
and the initiation of polymorphonuclear leukocytic infiltration during antigen or bacte-
rial invasion. The acute phase reactants, cytokines, act as stimulators of inflammatory
cascades and mediators of immune cell maturation.

Immunizations and Vaccinations

The terms immunization and vaccination are often considered synonymous and
involve the use of any pathogen or immune biologic as a preventive strategy against
a disease caused by a specific antigen.14 Immunization is considered a broader
term or less specific because vaccines were originally derived from a specific vaccine
developed from cowpox to treat smallpox, that is, a “vaccination an example of an
immunization.”4
Knowledge of the immune response is essential to understand the significant value
of immunization and vaccinations in infectious diseases because vaccines are consid-
ered an effective public health tool for disease prevention. Their mechanisms of action
reside within the immune responses that are either active or passive (Box 1).

Active immunization
Active immunization is acquired through an induction of immunity after exposure to an
antigen. The antibody response is elicited by a vaccine or toxoid and the humoral im-
munity of the host is relative to the specific pathogen of interest. The response can
take several days to weeks and can last a lifetime. An example is the hepatitis A vac-
cine (see elsewhere in this article for specific immunization).

Passive immunization
Passive immunization, often thought of as acquired, is a process of providing IgG an-
tibodies to protect against infections; it is immediate and can be short lived. An
example is the transfer of maternal tetanus antibodies across the placenta to the un-
born child. Acquired passive immunity is through serum from immune individuals to a
susceptible donor.15

Vaccines
Vaccines are biologic preparations that provide active acquired immunity against a
specific infectious disease. Vaccinations can be separated into 2 types: inactivated
or attenuated. Inactivated forms are derived from previously virulent microbes that
 Immunizations 405

Box 1
Building blocks for immunization and vaccination

Immunobiologic
Antigenic substance or antibody containing preparation used to induce immunity and
prevent infectious diseases.
Active immunization
Use of an antigenic substance to induce immunity by stimulating an immune response.
Vaccine
A suspension of live (usually attenuated) or inactivated microorganisms, or fractions thereof.
1. Monovalent
A vaccine consisting of a single strain or type of organism.
2. Trivalent
A vaccine consisting of 3 types of strains of a single organism (influenza vaccine), or
3 different organisms (diphtheria, pertussis, tetanus vaccine).
3. Polyvalent
Multiple strains or types of organisms in the vaccine (23-valent pneumococcal vaccine).
Toxoid
A modified (nontoxic) bacterial toxin that is capable of stimulating antitoxin formation.
Passive immunization
Use of an antibody containing preparation to enhance or restore immunity. Immune
globulin: A sterile solution containing antibodies from human blood.
Antitoxin
A solution of antibodies derived from the serum of animals immunized with specific
antigens.

From Quaranta P. Immunizations and oral health care providers. Dent Clin North Am
2003;47(4):644; with permission.

are killed by biologic agents, heat, or radiation. Examples are the influenza, polio,
and hepatitis A vaccines.4,12 Attenuated forms contain live microbes, most
which are viruses that are cultured to become disabled. Examples are measles, yel-
low fever, rubella, and mumps. Bacteria such as Mycobacterium tuberculin and
typhoid are made noncontagious and used as an antigen to provide active immu-
nity. An example is the Bacillus of Calmette and Guerin (BCG) vaccine. It must be
remembered that these strains must not be administered to medically compro-
mised and immunocompromised patients because they can mutate and cause
disease.16
Toxoid vaccines are produced from inactivated toxic compounds of the microbes
such as tetanus and diphtheria that serve as a modified (nontoxic) bacterial toxin
capable of stimulating antitoxin antibody formation (the reader is referred to Quaranta4
for further examples of vaccines types).

IMMUNIZATIONS DESIGNATED FOR ORAL HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS

The CDC estimates that 40 to 50,000 vaccine-preventable deaths occur every year
in the United States and estimates the health care burden of vaccine-preventable
diseases are at $10 billion.8–10 As such, maintenance of immunity is an important
part of disease prevention and the use of vaccines safeguard the health of various
types of oral health care providers, their staff, and their patients. Within the last
2 decades the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) advocated
for infection control guidelines with respect to immunoprophylaxis of dentists
406 Halpern & Mouton

against the BBP HBV and standard precautions against hepatitis C virus (HCV),
for which there is no vaccine (reviewed elsewhere in this article).10 All healthy adults
within the United States are encouraged to be vaccinated for measles, mumps,
rubella (MMR) and pneumococcal diseases. Recommendations for all health
care workers including dentists according to the CDC are described in Box 2.
Despite these recommendations, many practices have not implemented these
precautions.
Dentists are at greater risk for infections caused by bacteria and viruses owing to
numerous encounters with the use of sharps and must be judicious with respect to
his/her awareness of preventive measures against vaccine-preventable diseases
within their clinical practice.2–4,9 Studies have shown a low level of awareness to-
ward vaccine-preventable diseases within the oral health care setting. Petti and col-
leagues3 applied a survey questionnaire to 379 dental practitioners to evaluate their
awareness toward vaccine-preventable diseases. The results concluded that prac-
titioners had a low awareness of vaccine-preventable diseases, and the authors sug-
gested a need for greater attention to immunization focusing on vaccine-preventable
diseases that poses a significant risk to both the clinician and patients they serve.
The survey evidence obtained with this dental population can be used as a founda-
tion for designing immunization programs tailored specifically for the oral health care
setting.3,16

Box 2
Health care personnel vaccination recommendations

Vaccines and Recommendations

Hepatitis B
In unvaccinated HCPs give a 3-dose series (dose 1 now, dose 2 in 1 month and dose 3 approx-
imately 5–6 months after dose 2). IM dosing may be given to HCPs who perform tasks that may
involve exposure to blood or body fluids. Testing of anti-Hbs titers occur 1 to 2 months after
dose 1. Anti-Hbs of 10 mLU/mL or greater signifies positive immunity and no other titers are
needed. Anti-Hbs of less than 10 mLU/mL is not protective of infection and therefore, 3 doses
of vaccine are needed over the routine schedule stated, with additional titer testing 1 to
2 months after.
If the anti-Hbs titer remains less than 10 mLU/mL after 6 doses, the person is considered a nonre-
sponder and is counseled of precautions of exposure. Nonresponses may also be HBsAg positive
and therefore HBsAg testing is needed. HCP that are in this group must be counseled and medi-
cally evaluated.

Influenza
Vaccination is by 1 dose of influenza annually. The inactivated formula is given IM, except when
using the intradermal influenza vaccine. LAIV is administered intranasally. All HCP must receive
vaccinations annually and LAIV administered only to nonpregnant HCP ages 49 or younger.
Inactivated injectable vaccines are preferred when HCPs are caring for immunocompromised
patients, especially those in isolation.

MMR
HCPs born in 1957 or after without titer measurements or prior vaccination should receive 2
doses of MMR, 4 weeks apart. HCPs born before 1957 should have been exposed but if not
then should be administered 2 doses of MMR or subcutaneously. One dose of MMR is consid-
ered for an HCP with no evidence of disease of immunity to rubella. In this group 2 doses of
MMR are required if there is an outbreak of measles or mumps; 1 dose for an outbreak of
rubella.
 Immunizations 407

Meningococcal
Vaccinations are required for HCPs exposed on a routine basis to isolates of Neisseria meningi-
tis. MenACWY and MenB strains are used with a booster every 5 years if risk of exposure con-
tinues. Each vaccination is given at a separate site on the body. Subcutaneous can be used in the
form of MPSV4 if necessary.

Tetanus, Diphtheria, Pertussis

HCPs should receive a dose of Tdap vaccine if they are either unsure of a previous dose or
received a dose regardless of the past interval between last dose HCPs who are pregnant should
receive a dose of Tdap for each pregnancy and all HCPs require a booster every 10 years. All
vaccines are given IM.

Varicella (Chickenpox)
All HCPs are strongly recommended to receive immunity against varicella zoster, whether or
not they were exposed either to Chickenpox or Shingles. Two doses of vaccines are given
28 days apart and tested for degree of immunity.

Abbreviations: Hbs, hepatitis B surface; HBSAg, hepatitis B surface antigen; HCP, health care
provider; IM, intramuscularly; LAIV, live attenuated influenza vaccine; MenACWY, meningo-
coccal A, C, and Y diseases; MenB, meningococcal B disease; MMR, measles, mumps, rubella;
MPSV4, meningococcal vaccine; Tdap, tetanus toxoid, acellular pertussis and reduced diph-
theria toxoid.
Adapted from Immunization action coalition, healthcare personnel vaccination recommen-
dations. 2016. Available at: www.immunize.org/catg.d/p2017.pdf. Accessed December 2, 2016.

VACCINE-PREVENTABLE DISEASES OF IMPORTANCE FOR ORAL HEALTH CARE

PROVIDERS

The following vaccine-preventable diseases that require awareness by the oral health
care provider to avoid transmission within their practice setting and patient population
are presented in this section.

Hepatitis A Virus
Hepatitis A virus (HAV) infection arises from an RNA virus and transmitted through a
fecal–oral route. It can elicit symptoms or may be asymptomatic. Although self-
limiting, this virus can cause significant morbidity.11,12,16 HAV exposure has been un-
der control since 1995, when two forms of inactivated vaccine were developed: Hav-
rix, given to ages 18 or greater in two doses 6 to 12 months apart and Vaqta given to
patients 17 or older in two doses; 6 months apart.12,16–18 Since 2006, the ACIP has
recommended vaccination of children 1 year and older. It is also available in combi-
nation with the HBV vaccine (Twinrix). Immunogenicity studies indicate a 95% to
100% seroconversion when the vaccine is given and immunogenicity can remain
active for 20 to 30 years.4,11,12 The ACIP recommends HAV vaccination in travelers
and at-risk populations, namely, intravenous drug users, men who have sex with
men, those who are previously exposed to HAV, patients receiving clotting factors,
and those who travel to areas that are endemic to the viral infection.11,12,16 Adverse
effects include anorexia, headaches, and malaise. HAV exposure without vaccina-
tion can be treated with either immunoglobulin or a single dose of the vaccine.
The CDC recommends vaccinations to people exposed to anyone who they are in
personal contact with, such as adoptee children from other countries.11,12 HAV is
recommended for oral health care providers that work in special needs facilities as
well as penal institutions.4
408 Halpern & Mouton

Hepatitis B Virus
HBV infection is a global public health problem and is 1 of 2 forms of chronic hepatitis
worldwide.1 More than 240 million people are chronically infected, with more than
300,000 fatalities owing to cirrhosis and more than 340,000 owing to hepatocellular car-
cinoma.1,3,4 There are at least 10 separate genotypes that are geographically separated,
with genotype A in Europe and North America, genotypes B and C in Asia, genotype D in
the Mediterranean, genotype E in Africa, genotype F in Central America, and so on.6,19
Age of infection varies and will determine the chronicity of infection; that is, 90% of ba-
bies born to hepatitis B e antigen–positive mothers may be at risk and regions that are
highly endemic for HBV have acquired the infection at birth or early childhood.1 Infec-
tivity within Western Europe is markedly lower with HBs-Ag positive individuals who
have acquired HBV via sexual contact, intravenous drug use, or parenteral exposure
of the BBPs by splashing or spillage.1,4,10,12 With respect to spillage, HBV can survive
at room temperature on surfaces for 1 week.1 Within the United States, unprotected
sexual contact as well as intravenous drug use is the major risk factors. Blood donor
screening has been successful in reducing exposure of HBV to 1 to 4 cases per
1,000,000 in areas of low prevalence and 1 per 20,000 in areas of high prevalence.1,3,12
Studies on HBV infection in health care workers vary throughout the globe and
range from 0.1% (in the United States) up to 73% (in Africa), depending on country
of origin.1,3,6,12 Vectors of transmission include blood via stick or aerosol, saliva,
and nasopharyngeal secretions transmitted through male sex, older age, dental treat-
ment, blood transfusion, and working in a health care setting.1,9,10 Serum HBV has an
incubation period of 50 to 100 days. A recent 2016 update examined the transmission
of BBPs in the US dental health care setting (Cleveland and colleagues9) indicated that
transmission of BBPs in the dental setting was rare since 2003, that is, 3 events re-
ported. Failure to adhere to CDC guidelines resulted in these adverse events.10
HBV infection is the most significant occupational hazard in the oral health care
arena, with a significantly higher incidence in dental staff, as well as oral surgeons,
periodontists, and endodontists.3,4,10 Patients with periodontal disease demonstrate
increased HBV surface antigens, anti–hepatitis B core, and anti-HCV in saliva than
comparable control patients.6,19 To decrease the burden of HBV in the dental care
setting, all doctors and staff should receive vaccinations (discussed elsewhere in
this article) as well as using other standard procedures; that is, gloves, gowns, protec-
tive equipment. It is mandatory within the United States to be vaccinated against HBV
before admission into dental schools and colleges.9,10 In a literature review by
Cleveland and colleagues,9 from 2010 to 2015 there have been only 3 reports of trans-
mission of HBV and HCV in the dental care setting. The rare occurrence of transmis-
sion was owing to failure of sterilization of instruments, a lack of training of staff on
BBPs, and the use of multidose vials inappropriately. The 2016 CDC prevention rec-
ommendations are in place to be implemented as standard precautions to be applied
by all oral health care providers in their practice settings (Table 2).9,10 The 2016 update
by the CDC’s guidelines for infection control in dental health care settings emphasizes
the elements of standard precautions and basic prevention of infection in the dental
clinic setting in the form of a checklist that can be designed based on the specific
needs of the practice. Dental staff can apply their checklist to daily procedures and
how well they adhere to the guidelines that provide a safe environment from HBV
transmission.10 Table 2 depicts examples of methods and their evaluation.

Hepatitis B virus vaccine

The hepatitis vaccine has been available in the United States since 1986.20 Any
health care worker performing procedures that expose them to BBP should be
 Immunizations 409

Table 2
Guidelines for providing a safe environment for infection prevention

Program Risk Predictor Outcome Assessment

Immunization of DHCP Annual review of personnel records for Immune status
Education/CE training Score CE credit and conduct audit when there is a cross-
training of new skills that affect the employee
exposure
Assess occupational exposure Report exposures with an incident report on time, place,
and prevention for future events
Postexposure/medical management Postexposure protocols are expected and all staff
understands the protocols including access for further
Questions/concerns; that is, toll free numbers to CDC
Hand hygiene protocol Observe/document hand washing before/after patient
contact
Personal protective equipment Observe/document barrier precaution use/review with
staff
Sterilization protocol monitor Monitor records/logs/temperature of autoclave/spore
Check, on a weekly basis and correct if critical deficiency
Evaluate safety devices Annual review of medical devices and repairs
Compliance of water EPA Monitor dental water quality using test kits that are
self-maintained or use commercial laboratories for
testing
Disposal of medical waste Safe disposal protocol and measures if hazardous waste
Health care infection Assess patient treatment follow-up for any undue
infectious process

Abbreviations: CDC, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; CE, continuing education; DHCP,
dental health care provider; EPA, Environmental Protection Agency.
Adapted from Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Guidelines for infection control
in dental health-care settings — 2003. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2003;52:1–61.

vaccinated.3,10,20 There are 2 recombinant preparations of HBV vaccines. There is

no need for serologic testing before vaccinations; however, if exposure of HBV is a
possibility before HBV vaccination then hepatitis B immunoglobulin should be admin-
istered.4,12 The immunization protocol involves 3 doses.4,12 The first dose is adminis-
tered followed 1 month by the second dose and the third dose is administered
2 months after the second dose and at least 4 months after the first dose. The first
2 doses are primers to enhance the immune response so that the third dose acts as
a booster. Immunogenicity from HBV vaccine can last for greater than 15 years in
hosts who are not immunosuppressed.4 Nondetectable circulating anti–hepatitis B
surface antigen is not indicative of loss of immunity and boosters are not normally rec-
ommended; however, antibodies should be detectable 30 to 60 days after the last
dosing schedule.4,11,12 If there is no detectable antibody titer, another dose can be
administered. If there is still no response or a titer of 10 mLU/ml, then this group of pa-
tients and providers needs to be counseled appropriately about their susceptibility to
HBV infectivity.
Adverse effects of HBV include soreness at site of injection, myalgia, and fevers.
Several studies have associated exposure to HBV vaccine and predisposition to
demyelinating neurologic diseases such as Guillain-Barre syndrome and multiple scle-
rosis, although no epidemiologic data indicate this risk.4,21 The ACIP recommends
that diabetics greater than 60 years of age be vaccinated against HBV when the
410 Halpern & Mouton

diabetes is diagnosed.11 Studies have shown an increased risk for HBV infection in di-
abetics that are in facilities where their blood glucose is being monitored constantly.11
Testing for circulating antibodies is also recommended for clinicians older than age 30
because advancing age is correlated with lower seroconversion rates; 42% serocon-
version for those older than age 60 compared with 83.3% of those younger than age
50.4,22 Oral health care workers who suffer from immunocompromised diseases
should not be exposed to live vaccines if they are receiving chemotherapy and/or ra-
diation. The time between ending therapy and getting vaccinated is 3 months and the
CDC has outlined specifics for HIV-infected health care providers.4,9,10

Hepatitis C Virus
HCV was first identified as the causative vector in 95% of cases of non-A non-B hep-
atitis during the 1980s.6 The incubation period can vary from 3 to 20 weeks and can
present in an asymptomatic fashion, because exposure is associated with a tran-
sient increase in liver alanine transferase of up to 10-fold before symptoms pre-
sent.6,23 HCV infection progresses to chronicity and is a major health problem that
leads to cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma.4,6,23 The World Health Organization
reports that 130 to 150 million people are infected and HCV exposure is regionally
variable, with high prevalence rates in the Middle East and Northern Africa and
low rates in North American and Western Europe.24 Seven strains of HCV have
been recorded and HVC genotype 1 is the most prevalent worldwide followed by
HCV 3. The transmission of infection was through infected blood products until
1989, and routine screening for antibodies to HCV occurred in the 1990s, which
has reduced transmission significantly. More recent risk for HCV exposure has
been through acupuncture, body piercing, tattooing, nail scissors, hair clippers,
and needle stick injury to health care workers.25 HCV and HBV have never been in-
fectious with exposure to vomit, urine, sweat, or tears.6 HCV transmission occurs in
10% of health care workers after parenteral exposure from percutaneous and
mucosal blood of an HCV RNA-positive patient.1,6
Cleveland and colleagues10 reported a study within the oral health care setting of an
oral surgery office that a patient became infected with HCV from another patient owing
to multiple lapses of infection prevention and control. Dental assistants in this setting
were administering medications without appropriate training and exposed a patient to
HCV. The use of multidose vials for more than 1 patient and a lack of autoclave moni-
toring resulted in transmission of HCV.10 Other studies related to infectivity have iden-
tified that HCV can survive in the environment for up to 6 weeks on a dry surface.10
Whether or not this can act as a route remains to be determined because only a percu-
taneous path has been identified as the source of contact. The prevalence of HCV an-
tibodies in US dentists who participated in the American Dental Association health
screens are well below that of the population at large (0.5% vs 1.6%) suggesting a
very low risk for occupational exposure as compared with studies worldwide that
show greater anti-HCV positivity in health care providers.9,10

HCV vaccine
A report by the Committee on a National Strategy for the Elimination of Hepatitis B and
C, Board on Population Health and Public Health Practice (Health and Medicine Divi-
sion; National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine; Buckley GJ, Strom
BL, editors) is examining the feasibility of hepatitis B and C elimination in the United
States. Although there is no vaccine for HCV, new direct-acting antivirals may cure
95% of chronic infections, although these drugs are unlikely to reach all chronically
infected people anytime soon. As such, per the CDC guidelines, all oral health care
 Immunizations 411

workers should follow standard procedures by meticulously applying infection control

checklists, as well as vaccinations specific to risk of exposure.

Measles, Mumps, and Rubella Vaccine

Measles is a paramyxovirus spread by respiratory transmission to the nasopharynx
with an incubation period of 10 to 12 days.12 It spreads to the lymphatic system and
respiratory tract with resultant coughing, conjunctivitis, and coryza followed by
Koplick spots or a rash. It can lead to encephalitis and pneumonia. Successful im-
munization with vaccine has eliminated its endemic spread and so it is one of the ma-
jor vaccine-preventable diseases.11–14 Most adults born before 1956 should have
antibody immunity; however, history alone is no longer considered to be presump-
tive for antibody immunity.11,12 Laboratory confirmation of antibody immunity is
required for health care personnel for measles, mumps, and rubella. (see vaccine
protocol).
Mumps is a paramyxovirus also spread to the nasopharynx and can spread to the
meninges and glands such as the testes and parotids, and can lead to orchitis in
men.12 The incubation is 16 to 18 days and can be either symptomatic or asymptom-
atic. Aseptic meningitis can also occur as well as loss of hearing in 1 in 20,000 infec-
tions.26 Introduction of the live vaccine (MMR; see below) has reduced cases in the
United States and supports the premise of vaccine-preventable diseases.12,26
Rubella is a togavirus and spread through respiratory transmission with an incuba-
tion period of 14 days followed by a maculopapular rash and arthralgias and arthritis.
There are rare complications of thrombocytopenia and encephalitis. The devastating
complication, however, is congenital rubella syndrome that results in deafness, cata-
racts, cardiac defects, mental retardation, and fetal demise.12,27 These sequelae
stress the importance of the rubella vaccine (part of the MMR compound). Nonim-
mune women should be immunized to avoid the risk of congenital rubella in their
offspring.12,27

Measles, mumps, and rubella vaccine

The MMR vaccine is highly effective in eliciting an antibody response and immunity to
each component of the virus.12,26,27 Measles antibodies develop after 1 dose and up
to 99% after the second dose. One dose of the MMR is effective in eliciting antibodies
to mumps and rubella and gives lifelong immunity. The CDC recommends that, if
appropriate, vaccination is not documented a serologic test is done and if the health
care provider is not protected 2 doses of MMR vaccine is administered 4 weeks
apart.6,12 Because MMR is a live vaccine, female providers are recommended to avoid
getting pregnant for 3 months after receiving the MMR vaccine.11,12,28 Adverse reac-
tions include fever and a transient rash. Egg allergies should be documented and vac-
cines should not be administered because MMR vaccine components are extracted
from chick embryos.11,12

Varicella zoster virus

The varicella zoster virus is a member of the herpes virus family of DNA viruses. It is a
common vector for illness in the United States with the majority of exposure present-
ing as Chickenpox initially. It has the propensity to reactivate later in life within the dor-
sal root ganglia of the nervous system; herpes zoster virus commonly known as
“shingles.” The latter is more common with advancing age and in patients with immu-
nosuppression owing to other diseases.29 The varicella zoster virus is transmitted by
direct exposure via inhalation of aerosols from vesicular fluid or respiratory tract secre-
tions. The illness starts with a mild prodromal phase followed by a rash that
412 Halpern & Mouton

progresses to a macular/papule lesion before crusting. The infectious period is 1 to

2 days before the rash and continues until all lesions become crusted.
The varicella virus was endemic to the United States at significant levels before the
introduction of a vaccine in 1995.12,29 Two vaccines are available for prevention of the
primary infection: Varivax and a combination of MMR and varicella called ProQuad.12
The dosing schedule is over 4 to 8 weeks, with 78% of adults mounting an antibody
response after the first dose and 99% after second dose with full immugenicity 4 to
8 weeks later, which lasts a lifetime in the majority of cases.12 Routine vaccination
is recommended for all nonpregnant patients/staff because vaccination with varicella
virus during pregnancy poses a risk for the unborn child. Pregnant women should be
tested for immunity. If nonimmune, they are given a choice. Because the vaccine is
attenuated, women should not become pregnant for 4 weeks after immuniza-
tion.12,29,30 For oral health care providers who are nonimmune, 2 doses should be
given 4 weeks apart.
Herpes zoster (shingles) is a localized painful cutaneous eruption seen in older and
immunocompromised adults. It usually has a dermatome distribution and is caused by
a reactivation of the herpes virus within the dorsal root ganglia supplying area of the
eruption. A complication of shingles is postherpetic neuralgia, a painful condition
that can last over months to years. It occurs in 10% to 18% of individuals with shin-
gles.11,12,29 Another complication is the Ramsay-Hunt syndrome that results from a
peripheral facial nerve paralysis owing to herpes zoster involving the geniculate gan-
glion of the facial nerve. The herpes zoster vaccine (Zostavax) was approved in 2006
by the US Food and Drug Administration for use in 60 years of age or older, but also
condones its use in those 50 to 59 years of age.11,12 The ACIP has not commented on
this age range, but does agree with the use in patients 60 year of age and older. A
history of zoster is not a contraindication for vaccination and it may potentiate the anti-
body response form the initial exposure by acting like a booster.11,12 Randomized,
controlled trials have suggested that protection can last at least 4 years. Efficacy
seems to decrease with age.29

Influenza
Over the past 5 years, the CDC and the ACIP have strongly recommended that all
health care workers, as well as all patients including children be immunized against
influenza.4,11,12 The epidemiology, morbidity, and mortality of influenza have
described and the rates of serious illness and death among patients age 65 and older
is approximately 36,000 deaths in the 1990s.31 Influenza is a strongly infectious path-
ogen causing a severe respiratory illness with concomitant fever, headaches, coryza,
vomiting, and diarrhea. Transmission is via respiratory droplets. Influenza A and B
cause epidemic disease outbreaks worldwide.12,31 Type A is broken down further
into subtypes based on surface antigens (neuraminidase and hemagglutinin). Anti-
genic shifts can result in serious pandemics based on mutational changes within
the antigen structure.11,12,31

Influenza vaccines
Randomized clinical trials have looked at the efficacy of vaccine-preventable disease
and health care worker absenteeism.12 Results suggest an increased cost effective-
ness in the immunization of all health care workers during the flu season.32 There
are 2 types of influenza vaccine for adults: the trivalent inactivated form (TIV) and
the attenuated form influenza vaccine (live attenuated influenza vaccine).12,31 The
latter is administered nasally.33 The attenuated form is sensitive to temperature and
cannot replicate within the human core range. These are adapted to cold and require
 Immunizations 413

coolness for activation of immunity protection. The live attenuated influenza vaccine is
more effective in children and is not approved in ages for those 50 years of age and
older, in pregnant women, in immunocompromised patients (ie, HIV), chronic obstruc-
tive pulmonary disease, renal disease, hepatic dysfunction, or metabolic sequelae of
diabetes. There is a new trivalent vaccine (TIVI) given intradermally to ages those 18 to
64 in the deltoid muscle. Adverse reactions include pain erythema, induration, and
pruritus. The TIVHD is an alternative to TIV if the patient is older than 65 years of
age. Both the live attenuated influenza vaccine and TIV are equivalent to influenza A
subtype H3N2, H1N1, and 1 influenza B virus.12,32 With reference to allergic reactions,
the ACIP recommended in 2011 to revise the egg allergy contraindication to a precau-
tion strategy if there is no history to anaphylaxis and egg exposure. The issue of the
older patient relates to their immune system undergoing an “immunosenescence”
and, therefore, higher doses of vaccine may be warranted. This hypothesis is still un-
der investigation.33

Streptococcus pneumoniae
S pneumoniae is a gram-positive anaerobic bacteria inhabiting the respiratory tract
and seen in 70% of healthy subjects. The vector is via respiratory droplets and results
in serious exacerbations of pneumonia, meningitis, and septic bacteremia. Epidemio-
logic evidence indicates up to 40,000 cases in the United States and 1.6 million deaths
of pneumococcal disease worldwide in the elderly and children.12,34 As such, there
has been a global public health effort to decrease the death rate from septicemia
through the use of immunization against pneumococcal disease.

Pneumococcal Polysaccharide Vaccine

Pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine is a purified pneumococcal polysaccharide
preparation originally made in the late 1970s and now available as Pneumovax, a
23-valent vaccine (pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine 23).12,34 It is recommended
for persons 65 or older. Both the ACIP and CDC in 2008 added smokers and asth-
matics as high risk in need of the pneumococcal vaccine to reduce the severity of
pneumonia.35 Recent studies also suggest that this vaccine can prevent myocardial
infarctions owing to its effects on inflammation from thrombotic events.12,34 At least
80% of adults who receive the vaccine develop antibody protection for at least for
5 years, although those who are immunocompromised have less of the efficacy of pro-
tection (ie, HIV and cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy and radiation).12,34
Health care workers should be judicious in recommending that patients who are newly
diagnosed with malignancies get vaccinated with the pneumococcal polysaccharide
vaccine 23 and wait at least 2 weeks before initiating therapeutic interventions.12,34
Patient who are more than 65 years old and had a vaccination should get a second
after 5 years to act as a booster.36

Tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis

Tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis, although not seen quite frequently in the United
States, remain a concern for certain populations that have either never been previ-
ously vaccinated or have a new onset exposure.11

Tetanus
Clostridium tetani is a gram-positive anaerobic organism whose exotoxins prevent the
release of neurotransmitters leading to uncontrolled muscle spasms and trismus. They
enter via an open wound and can exacerbate/prevent swallowing and breathing lead-
ing to death. During the 1940s, tetanus toxoid was introduced as part of the routine
immunization package in children consisting of 3 spaced doses with a recurrent
414 Halpern & Mouton

booster every 10 years except if there is an exposure such as stepping on a rusty nail
or open wounds in soil.11,12 C tetani produces a toxin that destroys tissue on any mu-
cous membrane but most often on the tonsils and pharyngeal tissue. These locations
of injury can cause respiratory obstruction and death.

Pertussis
Among the 3 diseases, pertussis remains an endemic health problem with between
800,000 and 3.3 million cases in the United States annually.12 Bordetella pertussis is
a gram-negative coccobacillus that attacks the respiratory epithelium. There are 3
phases of the disease process:
1. Catarrhal consisting of coryza, coughing, and sneezing;
2. Paroxysmal stage with continued coughing, followed by a long inspiration and a
whooping for 4 to 6 weeks; and
3. A convalescent stage, where the coughing decreases.
Older individuals are often vectors for transmission to young children. The latter is
on the rise owing to the debate about vaccine effectiveness (discussed elsewhere
in this article).13,37

Diphtheria
Corynebacterium diphtheria is an aerobic gram-positive bacteria producing a toxin
that acts to destroy tissue within the mucous membranes. Diphtheria was a
significant cause of mortality in children during the 1940s, but with toxoid immuniza-
tion this disease has been eradicated with only 5 cases reported within the last
15 years.12

Tetanus-Diphtheria-Pertussis Vaccine
Within the United States, there are 2 preparations of vaccines—Adacel and Boos-
trix—each containing tetanus toxoid, acellular pertussis and reduced diphtheria
toxoid (Tdap).11,12,38 One dose of Tdap is as efficacious as 3 doses of diphtheria
toxoid, acellular pertussis, and tetanus toxoid with respect to the antibody
response. Boostrix is available for those ages 10 to 64 years and Adacel is
approved for those ages 11 to 64 years.11,12 The ACIP suggest that Tdap can be
administered to those greater than 65 years of age if the patients are in contact
with young children because morbidity and mortality are greatest in children.12,38
Furthermore, if parents are immunized their young children are protected more
than 50% of the time they are exposed. The ACIP has structured a vaccination pro-
tocol for Tdap (see Box 2).38

Human Papillomavirus
HPV is a double-stranded DNA virus that infects basal epithelium. HPV type 16 and 18
are responsible for the majority of cervical dysplasia seen, as well as 40% of penile
cancers seen in the United States and worldwide.11,12,39,40 It is the most common
sexually transmitted disease and out of 80% of females who are sexually active,
41% can be exposed to HPV type 16 by age 50.41 HPV can cause skin warts and cer-
vical dysplasia that can mature into squamous cell carcinoma in the vagina, anus,
vulva, and oral cavity.40,41 Pregnant women can transmit the virus to their newborn
at the time of birth. Other risk factors are numerous sex partners and a partner’s
sex history. HPV 16 is especially responsible for more than 85% of head and neck
squamous cell cancers.12,39,40 The progression of HPV infection from precancerous
to cancer can occur over a period of 10 years. Most HPV infections, however, can
clear over 8 months to 2 years.11,12,40
 Immunizations 415

Human papillomavirus vaccine

There are 2 vaccines available to prevent human papillomavirus (HPV) infections, and
as of 2011, both are licensed in the United States; Cervarix is protective against HPV
16 and 18 and Gardasil is protective against HPV 6, 11, 16, and 18. Both are
composed of viruslike particles from recombinant capsid proteins of HPV, neither
are live, and both have an efficacy greater than 90% in preventing precancerous cer-
vical lesions.12,41,42 Gardasil is used for girls and young women 9 to 26 years of age for
the prevention of vulva, vaginal, anal, and cervical precancerous lesions, as well as
vaginal warts. The ACIP recommends Gardasil for all unvaccinated men ages 22 to
26, as well as those who are immunocompromised, test positive for HIV, and/or
who have sex with men. Cervarix is recommended for women ages 10 to 25 for the
prevention of cervical cancer and precancerous lesions.41,42
The dosing schedule for both vaccines is based on ACIP recommendations of 3 in-
oculations.42 Each dose is 0.5 mL administered intramuscularly. The first dose is fol-
lowed by a second dose 1 to 2 months after, followed by a third dose 6 months after
the first dose. With respect to oropharyngeal cancer protection, there are no studies to
support the use of these vaccines. Studies do not support the vaccination of pregnant
women, but there are no conclusive data that show morbidity.11,41,42 Further studies
are underway, as well as studies that examine the decrease in disease in women given
the vaccine up to age 45.12 HPV vaccines should be administered before sexual con-
tact; however, the vaccine is still recommended even after contact. Studies are now in
progress to determine the duration of antibody efficacy and as such there is no recom-
mendation for booster vaccinations.11,12,42

Typhoid and tuberculosis

Typhoid and TB vaccinations are not routinely recommended for health care providers
in the United States. TB, however, is still quite common in certain parts of the world
such as Africa.16,43 The World Health Organization reports the highest incidence
rate to be Southern Africa.43 The overall risk of acquiring infection from Mycobacte-
rium tuberculosis is very low in the United States; however, there are numerous cases
of children emigrating from other parts of the world to the United States who are given
the attenuated BCG vaccine to prevent TB. This results in false positive findings when
the standard tuberculin test is given.44 The CDC recommends stringent criteria for
health care workers to receive BCG coverage:
1. The workers are treating have a high percentage of TB-active individuals who are
resistant to rifampin and isoniazid; and
2. Transmission of active infection is likely owing to inadequate infection control
measures.4,16,45
Two new blood tests are now being used to increase the specificity of exposure to
TB, an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and an immunosorbent assay that mea-
sures T-cell activity and latent TB infection.44 The oral health care provider must be
judicious in his or her decision to take the BCG vaccine because it may interfere
with the ability to detect newly acquired infection and so only those who are in regular
contact with infected patients should weigh the risks and benefits of vaccination.3,4,11
Although the incidence within the United States of acquired typhoid fever is
declining, the proportion of cases resulting from foreign travel has continued to in-
crease.16,46 A major advance in the control of typhoid fever was the development of
an oral live, attenuated vaccine (Ty21a). Ty21a in a formulation given over 1 week pro-
vides 69% efficacy for at least 4 years. A series of 4 doses confers maximum protec-
tion.46,47 Travelers to areas of high risk should be vaccinated as well as being vigilant
416 Halpern & Mouton

for careful selection of food and water; the protection of the vaccine can be overcome
by large inoculates of S typhi. With respect to oral health care, this vector of infection
is not routinely listed as one that necessitates a vaccine-preventable disease
strategy.46,47

VACCINE-PREVENTABLE DISEASES IN THE IMMUNOSUPPRESSED ORAL HEALTH CARE

WORKER

The advances in health science, technology, and vaccine-preventable disease strate-

gies have afforded opportunities for health care workers who have debilitating ill-
nesses to continue practicing their specialties. Immunocompromised patients with
primary immune deficiency, secondary immune deficiency, and immune-regulated
abnormalities can be vaccinated with a protective effect (Box 3 describes each immu-
nocompromised condition).47,48 Examples of immune conditions that oral health care
providers are infected with include HIV, HCV, acquired malignancies, and autoimmune
diseases being treated with corticosteroid therapy regimens. Vaccines that contain
killed virus components do not pose a problem to this population of health care pro-
viders if protocols are followed that mimic the dosing of patients who are in a similar
situation. Specific vaccines that are recommended include the polysaccharide
vaccines such as Haemophilus influenza type B, pneumococcal, and meningococcal
vaccines (discussed elsewhere in this article). There should be no administration of an
attenuated form of vaccine if one is undergoing chemotherapy and/or radiation until
3 months after the final treatment is given because the ability to mount an antibody
reservoir can be impeded. Those who are under corticosteroid regimens need to be
scrutinized carefully. The CDC recommends no contraindication to live vaccine
administration if steroid therapy was less than 2 weeks but supports no vaccinations

Box 3
Characteristics and strategies for vaccine-preventable disease in primary, secondary and
immune regulatory abnormalities

PID
Increase susceptibility to infection, autoimmune and inflammatory sequelae
Diagnosis requires thorough evaluation of T-cell, B-cell, and innate immunity
Antibody deficiency often cause of PID
Inactivated vaccines recommended
Attenuated vaccines; that is, MMR, VAR, rotavirus, live influenza, oral polio contraindicated
SID/IRA
Usually owing to consequences of immunosuppression and/or modulatory treatment
Human immunodeficiency virus infection, hematologic malignancies, tumors, solid organ
transplant recipients, multiple sclerosis, inflammatory bowel disease, autoimmune/
inflammatory diseases, chronic diabetes, heart, lung disease and complement deficiencies.
Immune impairment may be may be a combination of B- and T-cell deficiencies.
Yearly vaccination of inactivated PCV and pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine 23 highly
recommended, as well as quadrivalent meningococcal vaccines and hepatitis B.
Live vaccines administration is predicated upon severity of immune state with need for risk to
benefit decisions by an immunologist.
SID/IRA patients require higher dosing and more frequent immunizations.

Abbreviations: IRA, immune-regulatory abnormalities; MMR, measles, mumps, rubella; PID, pri-
mary immune deficiency; SID, secondary immune deficiency; VAR, varicella.
Adapted from Eibl MM, Wolf HM. Vaccination in patients with primary immune deficiency,
secondary immune deficiency and autoimmunity with immune regulatory abnormalities.
Immunotherapy 2015;7(12):1286.
 Immunizations 417

until 3 months after steroid therapy that exceeds 2 week duration. It is most important
to weigh the risk to benefit ratio with the provider’s physician of record. Evaluation and
monitoring within this population would define and improve treatment decisions for
greater cost effectiveness, reduction of complications owing to their disease state,
and a better health-related quality of life.

ASSESSMENT OF VACCINE CONFIDENCE

The US population generally has great confidence in the efficacy and reliability of the
vaccine program and the latest measles cases provided yet another reminder of the
importance of vaccines and timely vaccination.13 Although the source case traced
to the tourist destination is not known, the first identified case of measles stemmed
from an individual who had not been vaccinated against the disease and most of
the subsequent infections involved people who were unvaccinated. Unfortunately,
in many cases, the unvaccinated children were likely unvaccinated by choice.13 The
recommended measles vaccination must have been delayed or declined, a choice
that left them vulnerable and the rest of the unvaccinated population susceptible to
measles. These cases are a lesson to health providers who chose not to be vaccinated
and lack immunity to vaccine-preventable infectious diseases.49
Immunity is often silent or invisible until it is tested—and measles is one of the most
sensitive “stress tests” we have. The need to maintain the high immunization rates,
particularly in health workers, along with evidence that more parents are hesitating
or delaying when it comes to following vaccination recommendations, prompted the
Assistant Secretary for Health of the Department of Health and Human Services to
ask the National Vaccine Advisory Committee to assess how confidence in vaccines
affects vaccination in the United States.13,49,50
Vaccines are one of the most effective and successful public health tools to prevent
disease, illness, and premature death from preventable infectious diseases. and there
is much good news in the United States when it comes to recommended vaccines and
vaccinations.13,51 When there are high levels of immunity in a community induced by
vaccination, a transmitting case is unlikely to encounter a susceptible host, thus ter-
minating transmission and preventing exposure of others in the community who are
either not protected by vaccination (no vaccine is 100% effective5), cannot be vacci-
nated (ie, have a legitimate contraindication to vaccination), or who are not eligible for
vaccination (eg, children too young for some recommended vaccines).50,51 Thus, what
makes vaccines unique is that with high levels of vaccination both the individual and
the community are protected, a phenomenon, characterized often as “herd immunity.”
However, high vaccination coverage rates are required for community protection. In
the United States, high vaccination rates have been reached for many recommended
vaccines, leading to the near elimination of the corresponding vaccine-preventable
diseases and 99% to 100% reductions in mortality from vaccine-preventable dis-
eases, leading to thousands of lives saved each year.13,51 Not all recommended vac-
cinations have reached high coverage rates and there are places in the country where
coverage is not high enough to achieve population protection, leaving the people,
including young children and health professionals, vulnerable to vaccine-
preventable diseases, especially in the event of a disease outbreak. Vaccination rates
among children are high and, for most parents, following the recommended schedule
is the norm. Health care providers are highly supportive of vaccines and immunization
recommendations and, for most parents, are a trusted source of information and guid-
ance. When it comes to vaccine confidence, trust in health care providers, health care
provider communication and endorsement, social norms, and communication play
418 Halpern & Mouton

central roles in instilling, maintaining, and fostering vaccine confidence. Health care
providers can also demonstrate this trust by being fully immunized against vaccine-
preventable disease.13,49,50
The Working Group recognized several challenges that threaten successful utiliza-
tion of recommended vaccines. There are communities and places (eg, schools)
where vaccination levels are below and sometimes far below the levels needed to pro-
tect those who are unvaccinated. There are also parents whose reluctance, hesitation,
concerns, or lack of confidence has caused them to question or forego recommended
vaccines. In some cases, the children are vaccinated, but vaccinations are delayed
beyond recommended ages, alternative schedules are used, or vaccines are totally
declined, health workers are declining vaccination, and others fail to recognize their
lack of immunogenicity. In these cases, the individual is left susceptible to the disease
and, if infected, can transmit it to others.13,49–51

PUBLIC CONFIDENCE

As the World Health Organization’s Strategic Advisory Group of Experts’ vaccine hes-
itancy efforts illustrate, building and fostering vaccine confidence and acceptance is
not just a problem in the United States, but an issue of urgent importance in global
health.52 More efforts are needed to identify, develop, and evaluate strategies and ap-
proaches to find the ones that facilitate or instill confidence, and the resources and
systems need to be in place to share lessons learned and effective practices. Along
these lines, it is also the case that vaccine confidence and acceptance efforts need
to encompass health care providers.13,52 Not only is it imperative that they have
high confidence in recommended vaccines and vaccinations, they must have the re-
sources, capacities and capabilities needed to effectively educate and address indi-
viduals’ questions and concerns. In most cases, it is health care providers who
directly affect workers’ confidence and acceptance of recommended vaccines and
vaccinations.
Vaccination in accordance with the CDC’s ACIP recommended immunization
schedule continues to be the social norm in the United States and high vaccination
coverage has been achieved for most recommended vaccines on the recommended
childhood immunization schedule.13,51 For infant and early childhood immunizations,
rates have been high and stable for the past several decades, namely, at or above the
80% to 90% range for nearly all ACIP recommended childhood vaccinations. Simi-
larly, recent reports suggest that a majority of parents have favorable beliefs or per-
ceptions with regard to recommended childhood vaccines. A 2009 Health Styles
survey of parents of children 6 years old and younger, for instance, found 79%
were “confident” or “very confident” in the safety of routine childhood vaccines.13,53
A 2010 Health Styles survey found 72% of parents were confident in the safety of vac-
cines, with slightly more parents expressing confidence in the effectiveness of vac-
cines (78%) and the benefits of vaccines (77%).13,53 Further analyses of these data
showed that 2 factors—confidence in vaccine safety and confidence in vaccine effec-
tiveness—were a major source of influence on parents’ self-reported vaccination
behavior.9 Overall, however, these studies also suggested that about 1 in 5 parents
were not fully confident in the safety or importance of recommended vaccinations.
The Cultural Cognition Project at the Yale Law School has collected data involving
or related to confidence.54 They also found that about 27% of adults strongly to
slightly disagreed with the statement, “I am confident in the judgment of public health
officials who are responsible for identifying generally recommended childhood vacci-
nations.” About 62% had moderately or extremely high confidence in “the judgment of
 Immunizations 419

the American Academy of Pediatrics that vaccines are a safe and effective way to pre-
vent serious disease,” but about 20% had relatively low confidence.13,54

HEALTH CARE PROVIDER CONFIDENCE

It is clear from published studies that health care providers—the frontline people who
interact with parents and who administer vaccines—are critically important when it
comes to vaccine confidence.13,51 Studies consistently find that the vast majority of
parents (80% or more) look to their child’s health care provider for information and
advice on vaccine-preventable diseases, vaccines, and the recommended immuniza-
tion schedule.55 When providers are able to communicate effectively with parents
about vaccine benefits and risks, the value and need for vaccinations, and vaccine
safety, parents are more confident in their decision to adhere to the recommended
schedule. In a study involving both parents and health care providers, Mergler and col-
leagues56 found a strong association between parental and provider vaccine-related
attitudes and beliefs. For example, parents had a 45 times higher odds of agreeing
that the community benefits from having children fully vaccinated if their provider
agree, compared with parents whose provider did not agree. They also noted that
some parents likely chose providers who are similar vaccine beliefs as their own—
and, as such, providers with doubts about recommended vaccinations can foster or
support hesitancy.57 Finally, it has also been found that reliance on vaccine informa-
tion sources other than providers is associated with exemptions from school entry re-
quirements. Rosenstock,13,58 for instance, found that parents who sought vaccine
information on the Internet were more likely to have lower perceptions of vaccine
safety, vaccine effectiveness, and disease susceptibility and were more likely to
have a child with a nonmedical exemption. From the perspective of vaccine confi-
dence, it is thus important to recognize that health care providers are key players
when it comes to establishing, maintaining, and building parent confidence in vac-
cines. Thus, health care providers need to demonstrate vaccine confidence by
becoming fully vaccinated.13,57,58
In many instances, however, health care providers have not met their responsibility
to be fully immunized against vaccine-preventable disease.3,4,9,13 They continue to put
themselves and the public at risk. For influenza, vaccination coverage among physi-
cians and dentists (84.2%) was similar to coverage among nurse practitioners and
physician assistants (82.6%), and was significantly higher than for those working in
all other occupational groups. Coverage also was significantly higher among health
care providers aged 60 years or greater (74.2%), compared with those aged 18 to
29 years (56.4%) and those 30 to 44 years (57.8%).13 An in-depth literature review
describing universal influenza vaccination attitudes in hospital-based health care pro-
vider identified a number of reasons commonly cited for not receiving the vaccine. In
21 studies in 9 countries, the authors reported that the 5 most frequently reported cat-
egories for vaccine refusal included:
1. Fear of adverse reactions;
2. Lack of concern (ie, perception that influenza does not pose a serious public health
risk);
3. Inconvenient delivery;
4. Lack of perception of own risk; and
5. Doubts regarding vaccine efficacy.
These studies also found that health care providers are more likely to be vaccinated
to protect themselves against influenza than to be vaccinated for the protection of
420 Halpern & Mouton

patients. Similarly, a recent CDC report found that the prevalence of beliefs regarding
influenza and influenza vaccination differ between vaccinated and unvaccinated
health care provider. This study found that 92.7% of vaccinated health care provider
believed getting vaccinated could protect them from influenza infection, whereas only
54.2% of those who were unvaccinated shared that belief. Notably, the CDC study
also indicated that 55.4% of unvaccinated health care provider do not believe that
vaccination better protects those around them from influenza infection. The most
important factor facilitating vaccine acceptance was a desire for self-protection, pre-
vious receipt of influenza vaccine, perceived effectiveness of vaccine, and older age.
These studies highlight the importance of educating health care providers on the seri-
ousness of influenza and vaccine-preventable disease as a public health threat.13

SUMMARY AND FUTURE DIRECTIONS

Vaccination and immunization to prevent the transmission of infectious diseases

remain a major dynamic force for all health care specialists and their patients around
the globe and, as such, all health care workers should be candidates for immuniza-
tions to prevent the spread of disease within the communities they serve. The evi-
dence presented in this article represents a need for greater awareness toward
immunizations by and within the oral health care arena because numerous vaccine-
preventable diseases are frequently transmitted in the dental care setting (Fig. 1).
Future directions include a closer evaluation of vaccine effectiveness as a preventive
strategy in the dental health care setting to develop an algorithm for an immunization
program that the oral health care provider can specifically play a pivotal role. It is
essential that every dental practitioner be immunized against the vaccine-
preventable diseases described throughout their oral health care career. Continuing
education that focuses on vaccine-preventable diseases will increase vaccine

Fig. 1. Vaccine-preventable diseases in oral health care. HIV, human immunodeficiency vi-
rus; Strep/Staph, Streptococcus; Staphylococcus; TB, tuberculosis.
 Immunizations 421

awareness and decrease the transmission of infectious diseases within the oral health
practice setting.

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1. Coppola N, De Pascalis S, Onorato L, et al. Hepatitis B virus and hepatitis C virus

infection in healthcare workers. World J Hepatol 2016;1893:273–81.
2. Elseviers MM, Arias Guillen M, Gorke A, et al. Sharps injuries amongst healthcare
workers: review of incidence, transmissions and costs. J Ren Care 2014;40:
150–6.
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