Vaccinations for healthy ageing in adults
65 years and older

Professor Paul Van Buynder and Associate Professor John Litt discuss the issues

COVERAGE RATES ARE POOR. PATIENTS ARE SUFFERING, EVEN DYING.
YOUR RECOMMENDATION CAN MAKE A BIG DIFFERENCE

Older Australians suffer disproportionately from most infectious diseases, including vaccine-preventable diseases, often resulting in significant residual functional disability, yet vaccination coverage rates are very low. We need to change the way we think to ensure that we are getting the ‘Big 4’ vaccines to older people at a decent coverage rate.

VIDEO 1.  The importance and challenges of vaccination in older people


• (0.48) Why is vaccination important for older people?
• (1.34) How does ageing affect the immune system?
• (3.31) What impact do infectious diseases have in older people?
• (5.24) What are desirable vaccine coverage levels in older people?
• READ Importance and challenges of vaccination in older people

VIDEO 2.  Enhancing influenza vaccination in older people


• (0.07) Which influenza vaccine should GPs offer to people 65 years and older?
• (1.59) When is the best time to administer influenza vaccine?
• (3.23) Should older patients receive two doses?
• (4.46) Should all healthcare workers have influenza vaccine each year?
• (6.17) Should reception and other staff members also receive the vaccine?
• READ Enhancing influenza vaccination in older people

VIDEO 3.  Reducing pneumococcal risk in people aged 65 years and over


• (0.31) How effective is 23vPPV against invasive disease and pneumonia?
• (1.36) How long does protection last with 23vPPV?
• (2.27) Who should be offered extra doses of pneumococcal vaccine?
• (4.08) What is the PneumoSmart Vaccination Tool?
• (5.16) Should we use the conjugated vaccine (13vPCV) in older people?
• READ Reducing pneumococcal risk in people aged 65 years and over

VIDEO 4.  Herpes zoster: improving protection in older people


• (0.12) How important is shingles in older people?
• (1.39) Do we have a herpes zoster vaccine and is it safe and effective?
• (4.29) Should we offer herpes zoster vaccine to people under the age of 70 years or over the age of 80 years?
• (7.40) What is the pre-vaccination screening form?
• (8.39) How long after a bout of shingles should we wait before vaccination?
• READ Herpes zoster: improving protection in older people

VIDEO 5.  Shingrix: a new recombinant herpes zoster subunit vaccine


• (0.37) How effective is the new herpes zoster subunit vaccine?
• (2.15) When will Shingrix be available in Australia?
• (3.26) Should people wait for Shingrix rather than having Zostavax?
• READ Herpes zoster: improving protection in older people

VIDEO 6.  Pertussis vaccination: not just for grandparents


• (0.18) What is the role of pertussis vaccine in older people?
• (1.53) How important is pertussis infection in older people?
• (3.03) Which older people should have pertussis vaccine?
• READ Other vaccine recommendations for older people

VIDEO 7.  Strategies to increase vaccination rates in older people


• (1.23) What factors could increase vaccine coverage levels in older people?
• (3.03) How can GPs encourage vaccine uptake in older people?
• (6.36) What are vaccination ‘standing orders’?
• READ Strategies to increase vaccination rates in older people

VIDEO 8.  Take-home messages



Vaccine-preventable diseases cause significant illness and residual disability in older people
Vaccination is important across the life course
Vaccinations are particularly important for people with reduced immune capacity and poorer responses to disease
We need to change thinking about vaccination of older people and increase coverage of the ‘Big 4’ vaccines
• READ Patient Handout: Vaccinations for people aged 65 years and over

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This educational activity is supported by an independent educational grant from GlaxoSmithKline Australia.

The opinions expressed are those of the speakers and not necessarily those of GlaxoSmithKline Australia or the publisher. Some products and/or indications mentioned may not be approved for use in Australia. Please review the Product Information, available from the manufacturer, before prescribing any agent mentioned in these videos.

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