[Update on vaccination for older adults]

Older adults are highly susceptible to infections, some of which are vaccine preventable. Therefore, the Standing Committee on Vaccination (STIKO) regularly updates its vaccination recommendations for older adults as well. Since the 2025/26 season, the adjuvanted influenza vaccine is recommended for people aged 60 and older, in addition to the high-dose influenza vaccine. In addition, a one-time vaccination against respiratory syncytial virus in autumn has been added as a routine vaccination for 75-year-olds and as an indication-based vaccination for those aged 60 and older with severe underlying medical conditions. Little attention has been paid so far to the now well documented additional benefits of vaccinations against shingles, pneumococcal disease, influenza, and RSV - that is, effects that go beyond the primary therapeutic benefit and make a significant contribution to healthy aging. These include a reduction in myocardial and cerebrovascular events, as well as a protective effect against neurodegenerative processes. In particular it has been demonstrated that the influenza vaccine is as effective as statins in the secondary prevention of myocardial infarction. These findings could lead to an increased acceptance of vaccination and, consequently, to an increase in vaccination rates, which remain insufficient. To continue improving the benefits of vaccination in the future, vaccines need to be further developed to achieve greater efficacy, which could also help increase acceptance of vaccination. Several new developments are currently in the pipeline, particularly for the pneumococcal vaccine. Since March 2025, a 21-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine for adults has been licensed in Europe, specifically targeting the serotypes that cause IPD in adults. Additional pneumococcal vaccine candidates covering up to 31 serotypes are currently in development using new technologies and are undergoing Phase 2 or 3 trials.