Public Health

Cases of Vaccine-Preventable Diseases in the U.S. Reduced Dramatically in the Twentieth Century!

Disease	Max. cases reported	Year max. reported	Reported cases 2000	% decrease
Smallpox	48,164*	1900-1904	0	100 %
Diphtheria	175,885	1921	1	100%
Pertussis	147,271	1934	7,867	94.7%
Tetanus (locklaw)	1,314	1948	35	97.3%
Polio (wild virus)	16,316	1952	0	100%
Measles	503,282	1941	86	100%
Mumps	152,209	1968	338	99.8%
Rubella	47,745	1969	176	99.6%
Congenital Rubella Syndrome	823	1964-65	9	98.9%
H. influenzae type b and unknown(<5yrs)	20,000**	1984	112	99.4%
Hepatitis B	26,654	1985	8,036	69.9%

*Average annual number of cases during 1900-1904.
**Estimated number of cases from population-based surveillance studies before vaccine licensure in 1985.

Sources:
1. MMWR, January 5, 2001; 49 (51 & 52).
2. "Achievements in Public Health, 1900-1999: Impact of Vaccines Universally Recommended for Children-United States, 1900-1998." MMWR, April 2, 1999; vol. 48, no.12.

The article that follows is available on the website of the National Immunization Program at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The article is updated periodically with new information and is available at: