Vaccine preventable diseases (VPDs) are infectious diseases caused by viruses or bacteria that can be prevented with vaccines. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), tens of thousands of people in the United States get sick with VPDs. Infections caused by these diseases can result in hospitalizations and can sometimes be fatal. The best protection against VPDs are vaccines. Vaccines help reduce the incidence of VPDs and in some cases has helped to eliminate these health threats. The DC Health Vaccine Preventable Disease Program is responsible for the surveillance and investigation of cases and outbreaks of VPDs in DC. The program also plays an integral part in providing education and guidance on prevention and control measures to stop the spread of VPDs in the District.

 

Vaccines help keep you, your family, and your friends healthy, so it is important to get vaccinated.

 

Chicken pox (morbidity, pediatric mortality) Diphteria Haemophilus influenza, invasive Hepatitis A Measles (Rubeola) Meningitis (Neisseria meningitides) Mumps

Pertussis (Whooping cough) Poliovirus infection Rubella, including congenital rubella syndrome Streptococcal infection, invasive (Pneumoccoccal disease) Tetanus Vaccine adverse events

Report all suspected cases of VPDs to DC Health by completing the Notifiable Disease and Condition Case report Form using DCRC our online reporting system. The form is available on the DC Health Infectious Disease website. Information regarding the timeline for reporting VPDs to DC Health can be found on the Notifiable Diseases and Conditions in DC Resources website. VPDs should be reported as soon as they are suspected, without waiting for laboratory results, so that appropriate control measures can be implemented.