Immunisation: It’s Not Just For Kids

Adults may require vaccines for multiple reasons, including incomplete childhood schedules, waning
immunity, medical and lifestyle risk factors, occupationrelated risks, travel and migration. The majority of
undervaccinated people are adults. Vaccines are one of the key components to healthy ageing, given the high
burden of vaccine-preventable diseases in the older population. More vaccines are becoming available and
are recommended for the adult population, including zoster vaccine for adults aged 70 to 79 years. Barriers
to the delivery of adult vaccinations include cost, lack of documentation of doses previously received and
public misconceptions about the need for vaccination in adulthood.

Modern Medicine – February 2018