Adult immunization and its impact on children.

The prevention of illness through vaccination is one of the most essential services pediatricians provide to their patients. However, the importance of adult vaccination and its impact on the health of children are often overlooked. There remains a large portion of adults in the United States who are not compliant with the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices immunization schedule. These people provide a potential reservoir for the spread of vaccine-preventable illness to children and adolescents. There are numerous contributing factors to the lack of immunization. Pediatricians, along with adult health care providers, can serve an important role by educating parents, guardians, and adult contacts of children on the importance of receiving the recommended adult vaccinations and the role of vaccines in preventing the spread of disease to the pediatric population.