Immunoprophylaxis at extremes of age

Many infections that occur at the extremes of age are preventable by active or passive immunization. The immune response to vaccines in neonates and the elderly may be diminished when compared with other age groups, however this is usually outweighed by the benefits of providing protection at the age when the need is greatest. Immunoprophylactic agents used at birth include BCG vaccine, oral polio vaccine, varicella-zoster immunoglobulin and hepatitis B vaccine and immunoglobulin. In the elderly, influenza, pneumococcal and tetanus vaccines are often indicated, although the uptake in this age group is poor in comparison with neonates.