Newsletter Template
Note: There are placeholders in the text below to fill in with information specific to your practice.
Suggested uses include posting to your website, including it in an email or existing e-newsletter,
or printing it for distribution. You may wish to customize the content as needed.
[INSERT PRACTICE NAME/LOGO OR COPY TO LETTERHEAD]
Millions of US Adults Needlessly at Risk of a Deadly Disease
Are You One of Them?
As adults, getting vaccinated is one of the most important and easiest things we can do
to protect our health—yet not enough of us do it. Vaccine-preventable diseases kill more
US adults each year than HIV/AIDS, breast cancer, or motor vehicle traffic accidents.
You may not know about an important vaccine that protects against a common infection
called pneumococcal disease. Pneumococcal disease can develop very quickly and lead
to death in just a few days. In the US, pneumococcal pneumonia, meningitis, and
bloodstream infections kill tens of thousands each year, including nearly 18,000 adults
age 65 and older.
Certain adults are more likely to get pneumococcal disease or develop a more serious
illness, including all adults age 65 years and older as well as those age 19 to 64 years
with heart, liver, or lung disease; diabetes; asthma; HIV/AIDs; and other conditions that
affect the immune system; smokers; and alcoholism.
If you fall into one of these categories, you should be vaccinated, even if you consider
yourself healthy. According to the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases (NFID),
too many US adults are unprotected from this infection.
“Vaccination is a critical part of staying healthy at any age,” said [INSERT LOCAL
SPOKESPERSON]. “To receive the best protection against pneumococcal and other
deadly diseases, it’s important for adults to contact their healthcare professional to talk
about which vaccines are right for them.”
Pneumococcal disease can be very serious and treatment may require hospitalization.
Some patients may need weeks or months to recover before returning to normal
activities. Vaccination is the safest and most effective protection.
To speak with us about which vaccines you need, please contact us at [INSERT PHONE
NUMBER/EMAIL].
October 2014
Adults Need Vaccines to Stay Healthy Too.
Are You Up to Date?
Vaccine
Who Should Receive It?*
Influenza
All adults, every year, including pregnant women
Hepatitis B
Adults who might come in contact with the infection and those
with certain underlying health conditions, like diabetes
Human papillomavirus (HPV)
All women age 26 years and younger; all men age 21 years and
younger, as well as men up to 26 years with certain underlying
health conditions, if not previously immunized
Pneumococcal
Adults 65 and older
Adults age 19 to 64 with certain health conditions
Shingles
Adults 60 and older
Tetanus/diphtheria/pertussis (Tdap)
booster
All adults who have never received it; pregnant women during
each pregnancy
*Check with your doctor or other healthcare provider if you believe you have a
contraindication to any vaccine.
For more information about adult vaccinations, visit adultvaccination.org
October 2014