Vaccines and the elderly

Successful immunization of the elderly with influenza, pneumococcal, and tetanus-diphtheria vaccines could reduce unnecessary occurrences of these preventable diseases. Although questions remain about the optimal immunogenicity and efficacy of vaccines for these diseases, especially among elderly and other people with impaired immune responses, sufficient evidence exists that existing vaccines are safe and reasonably effective for people 65 years or older. Current unacceptably low vaccination rates will be improved only through strategies that combine education of patients and health care providers with effective organization of clinical practice and expanded public and private policies supporting adult immunizations.