Keeping our adult patients healthy and active: the role of vaccines across the lifespan

Abstract

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommend vaccinations from birth through adulthood for lifetime protection against many diseases and infections. Healthy, active adults need to be vaccinated for personal protection against infection as well as associated health benefits (eg, ability to maintain their daily activities). Immunization also reduces the risk of an individual transmitting infection to others, thereby conferring protection to his or her entire community. In the United States, influenza and pertussis (part of the trivalent Tdap) vaccines are recommended for every adult. There are other important vaccines for adults: the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine is recommended for every adult female aged up to 26 years, shingles vaccine is recommended for all adults aged ≥ 60 years, and pneumococcal vaccine is recommended based on age (all adults aged ≥ 65 years) and risk factors. Hepatitis A, hepatitis B, and meningococcal vaccines are recommended for adults with certain risk factors or conditions that increase their risk for serious complications (ie, there are no age-based recommendations for these vaccines in adults). Catch-up vaccination is also recommended for adults who have no evidence or proof of immunity to selected, traditionally childhood infections (ie, measles, mumps, rubella, and varicella). Despite the established safety and efficacy of vaccines for disease prevention, millions of adults who should be vaccinated are not, resulting in substantial and avoidable morbidity and mortality, as well as health care expenditures. It is incumbent on health care providers to raise awareness among their adult patients and encourage vaccination, thereby improving uptake among eligible adults. Routine vaccination into adulthood must be viewed as standard of care and an integral component of a comprehensive preventive care program.