[The usefulness of vaccination in elderly persons]

The antitetanus, antipneumococcal and antiinfluenza immune status, as well as the efficacy of vaccination have been evaluated in the elderly. Ages of the studied populations ranged from 60 to 98 years. Before vaccination, only half of the tested population was found to be protected against tetanus. Immunization resulted in 80% coverage of this population. Prior to antipneumococcal vaccination, 32% of the tested sera did not contain a "potentially" protective antibody titre. Vaccination resulted in 100% seroconversion. It was verified that 100% of tested sera contained antibodies (greater than 10 U.H.A./ml) directed to the former Singapore antigen and 99.2% and 66.7%, respectively, to the newly immerged Shanghaï and Yamagata antigens (present in the administered vaccine). Following vaccination, 100% of the sera exhibited antibody titres higher than 10 U.H.A./ml to the Singapore and Shanghaï antigens, and 90.5% to the Yamagata antigen. It can be concluded from the reported results that antitetanus, antipneumococcal and antiinfluenza vaccinations should be systematically given to all individuals beyond 60 years of age, since these vaccinations are innocuous and confer extended vaccinal coverage.