Editorial Information
 

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National Men's Health Week is June 10–16, ending on Father's Day. This annual observance encourages men of all ages to prioritize their health, seek preventive care—including recommended vaccines, and talk about important health issues. Men generally die earlier, become ill at a younger age, and develop more chronic illnesses than women. Men are up to 50% less likely to seek medical attention than women. According to CDC, nearly 14% of men age 18 years and older are in fair or poor health. 

An important way to reduce health disparities is to encourage men to get up to date with vaccination according to CDC’s Recommended Adult Immunization Schedule. Table 1 shows vaccinations needed based on age. Table 2 shows vaccinations needed by health status or other indication. Some men may need additional vaccines based on their occupation. CDC resources on Traveler’s Health address vaccines needed for international travel. See Immunize​.org's handout Vaccinations for Men Who Have Sex with Men for more information about additional vaccines that are recommended for them, including mpox vaccine.



The human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine is critical cancer prevention for all young adults and teens, helping to prevent HPV-associated cancers of the mouth, throat, and genitals. Currently, about 15,000 HPV-associated cancers occur in men each year. All males between age 9–26 years should be protected from HPV-related cancers through vaccination; those age 27 through 45 years should talk with their healthcare provider to decide if they might benefit.

Most men are behind on one or more vaccinations. Always consider vaccination needs when evaluating your male patients and encourage the men in your life to vaccinate, as well.

Finally, happy Father's Day to all the fathers among our IZ Express readers! Thank you for the hard work you do to safeguard the health of your families. Don’t forget to take care of your vaccination needs, too.

Related Links

• CDC: Men's Health main page
• CDC: Immunization Schedules main page
• Immunize​.org: Vaccinations for Men Who Have Sex with Men (PDF)

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These recent articles convey the potential risks of vaccine-preventable diseases and the importance of vaccination.

• FDA: Updated COVID-19 Vaccines for Use in the United States Beginning in Fall 2024 (6/7/24)
• Washington Post: Whooping Cough Cases Double in the U.S., a Potential Legacy of the Pandemic (6/6/24) 
• STAT: Close a Regulatory Loophole in the ACA to Provide Vaccine Access for All Americans (6/6/24)
• AP News: Man in Mexico Died of a Bird Flu Strain That Hadn’t Been Confirmed before in a Human, WHO Says (6/5/24)
• UNICEF: Humanly Possible: On the Road to Finally Eradicating Polio (5/31/24)
• CBS: U.S. to Make Millions of Bird Flu Vaccine Doses This Summer, as Cases Grow (5/31/24)

Immunize​.org's personal immunization record cards, printed on rip-proof, smudge-proof, water-proof paper, are designed to last a lifetime. They fit in a wallet when folded. The record cards are for you to give to your patients as a permanent personal vaccination record and are sold in boxes of 250.

• Adult immunization record cards
• Lifetime immunization record cards

Make bulk purchases and receive quantity discounts. For quotes on larger quantities or customizing, or to request sample cards, call 651-647-9009 or email [email protected].

Related Links

• Immunize​.org: Clinical Resources: Documenting Vaccination main page
• Immunize​.org: Shop: Collection List web page

CDC published Mpox Surveillance Based on Rash Characteristics—13 Emergency Departments, United States, June–December 2023 on June 6 in MMWR. A portion of the summary appears below. 

After the 2022 global mpox outbreak, which primarily affected gay and bisexual men who have sex with men (GBMSM), U.S. cases declined, but low-level transmission continued. Local outbreaks have raised concern about mpox reemergence, including previously unsuspected cases among non-GBMSM. . . .

During June–December 2023, among 196 patients aged ≥3 months evaluated at 13 U.S. emergency departments for an mpox-compatible rash irrespective of epidemiologic risk factors, three (1.5%) mpox cases were identified, all among unvaccinated GBMSM who had engaged in sex with one or more partners they met through smartphone dating applications. . . .

Clinicians should remain vigilant for monkeypox virus infections, particularly among GBMSM, and educate patients about the importance of risk reduction and JYNNEOS vaccination.

Access the MMWR article in HTML or PDF.

Related Links

• CDC: MMWR main page providing access to the MMWR family of publications
• Immunize​.org: Vaccines A–Z: Mpox main page

NFID will host a webinar titled Updates on Avian Influenza A(H5N1) at 12:00 p.m. (ET) on June 18. NFID Medical Director Robert H. Hopkins, Jr., MD, will moderate the discussion featuring Ruth Lynfield, MD, Minnesota state epidemiologist; and Sonja Olsen, PhD, CDC’s associate director for influenza preparedness and response. This webinar will discuss epidemiology of avian influenza A(H5N1) and public health response to avian influenza.

CME credit is available. There is no fee to participate in this activity, but preregistration is required.

Register for the webinar.



NFID hosts monthly webinars to increase awareness of the importance of infectious disease prevention and treatment. CME, CNE, and CPE credits are available for select recordings. View all archived NFID webinars.