Adult vaccinations: protecting your patients from avoidable illness

Influenza vaccine is recommended each year for any adult at high risk for lower respiratory tract complications and death. Also consider immunizing household members of high-risk patients. Those who are susceptible to influenza are also at risk for pneumococcal disease; consider revaccination more than 6 years after the first dose for those at the highest risk of declining antibody levels. Any adult patient whose tetanus immunization status is uncertain should be considered unvaccinated and receive a full three-dose primary series of Td. In the United States, hepatitis B is usually a disease of lifestyle or profession. Rabies vaccine is indicated for your older patients who hunt, trap, explore caves, or travel to endemic areas.