Adult immunization schedule. The general practitioner's perspective and new tools for a better practice

Vaccine-preventable disease significantly contributes to the morbidity and mortality of adults worldwide. The rates of vaccination against influenza, pneumococcal disease and tetanus in adults and in high-risk group of people are far from the optimal coverage as suggested by Minister of Health. General Practitioners (GPs) can contribute to increase immunization in adults and in elderly people because these age groups attend frequently the surgery of their family doctors for reasons related to their chronic diseases. The GPs, on their side, can proactively involve patients through informatics tools that supply lists of specific patients and electronic alerts in patient records.