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Vaccinations for Older Adults

  • Infectious Diseases in the Elderly (T Rowe, Section Editor)
  • Published:
Current Geriatrics Reports Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Purpose of Review

Vaccinations are a preventative health priority for older adults. The purpose of this paper is to review recent publications on this topic and to provide updates on current research involving recommended vaccines.

Recent Findings

In the USA, older adults receive vaccinations at less than optimal rates. Vaccine-preventable illnesses, particularly influenza and pneumococcal disease, continue to cause high morbidity and mortality in this population. A recently introduced herpes zoster vaccine has increased efficacy against varicella-zoster virus reactivation and its sequelae.

Summary

Older adults can benefit from receiving appropriate vaccinations. Interventions to increase rates of vaccination have the potential to improve the overall health of older adults in the USA. Challenges exist in creating and disseminating effective vaccines in this population.

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Papers of particular interest, published recently, have been highlighted as: • Of importance

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  1. Department of Geriatric Medicine and Gerontology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center, 5200 Eastern Avenue, MFL Center Tower, Suite 2200, Baltimore, MD, 21224, USA

    Megan Burke

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  1. Megan Burke
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Correspondence to Megan Burke.

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Megan Burke declares no conflict of interest.

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This article does not contain any studies with human or animal subjects performed by any of the authors.

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This article is part of the Topical Collection on Infectious Diseases in the Elderly

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Burke, M. Vaccinations for Older Adults. Curr Geri Rep 7, 250–255 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13670-018-0258-9

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