Immunization for the elderly.
The morbidity and mortality of vaccine-preventable diseases among older adults are high. Despite the benefits of elderly vaccination, vaccination rates remain low and especially among some minority groups. Specific strategies for improving the rate of vaccination have been developed for medical offices and clinics, hospitals, and other health care institutions. There are vaccines that are recommended routinely for the elderly while other vaccines are recommended in certain circumstances. Knowing the indications, contraindications, and adverse reactions to the recommended vaccines for the elderly is very important to the primary care physicians.
Bader
Mazen S
MS
Division of Infectious Diseases, Memorial University School of Medicine, St. John's, Newfoundland, Canada. msbader1@hotmail.com
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D006299:Health Services for the Aged / Q000592:standards*; D053061:Herpes Zoster Vaccine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D007252:Influenza Vaccines / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D022242:Pneumococcal Vaccines / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D013745:Tetanus Toxoid / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014611:Vaccination / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards*; D014612:Vaccines / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D053061:Herpes Zoster Vaccine; D007252:Influenza Vaccines; D022242:Pneumococcal Vaccines; D013745:Tetanus Toxoid; D014612:Vaccines