Adenovirus-associated Deaths in US Military during Postvaccination Period, 1999–2010

Abstract

For about 50 years, adenovirus has been a major cause of serious respiratory illness in US active duty military members, particularly at basic training camps. During 1971–1999, a vaccine program successfully lowered the number of illnesses and deaths from adenovirus infection. However, a recent study has shown that since the program ended, the number of deaths might be creeping back up. A new program, which uses second-generation adenovirus vaccines approved in 2011, is expected to again lower the number of illnesses and deaths caused by adenovirus.