The vaccination of the aged in post COVID-19 era

Abstract

As human grow older, immune-senescence, inflammaging, decline in physical and cognitive functions, frailty, various comorbidities and related polypharmacy make us vulnerable to infectious diseases, which in turn accelerates aging vice versa. Immunization for the aged against vaccine-preventable diseases is being emphasized more and more. However, in reality, the effective immune response is hindered for the similar reasons, so strategies to overcome this are being taken. The goal of elderly vaccination is to reduce the severity, mortality, and burden of disease. This review introduces 2023 adult immunization guidelines of the Korean Society of Infectious Diseases including influenza, pneumococcus, varicella zoster and coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), and recently licensed respiratory syncytial virus vaccination. Clinicians are required to play a role in helping client’s decisions by providing and discussing scientific information about the benefits and risks of vaccination based on an understanding of the their medico-social condition in this post-COVID-19 era.