[Vaccination in old age: an overview].

Area of Science:

• Immunology
• Public Health
• Geriatrics

Context:

• Aging populations exhibit increased susceptibility to infectious diseases.
• Immune senescence and comorbidities can reduce vaccine efficacy in older adults.
• Specific, more immunogenic vaccines are developed for the elderly population.

Purpose:

• To outline the current standard vaccination recommendations for individuals aged 60 and above in Germany, as published by the Standing Commission on Vaccination (STIKO).
• To highlight recent updates to the vaccination schedule, including herpes zoster, influenza, COVID-19, and pneumococcal vaccines.
• To emphasize the importance of tailored vaccination strategies for older adults.

Summary:

• Germany's STIKO recommends specific vaccines for individuals 60+ due to age-related immune decline.
• Standard vaccinations now include adjuvanted inactivated herpes zoster vaccine (since 2018), high-dose quadrivalent influenza vaccine (since 2021), annual COVID-19 vaccination, and 20-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine.
• These updates aim to enhance protection against common infectious diseases in this vulnerable demographic.

Impact:

• Improved prevention of infectious diseases and associated complications in the elderly population.
• Reduced healthcare burden through effective immunization strategies.
• Enhanced public health through accessible and up-to-date vaccination information via the STIKO app.