Improving vaccination rates in older adults and at-risk groups: focus on pertussis.
Aging Clin Exp Res
; 34(1): 1-8, 2022 Jan.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-35001333
Despite the implementation of effective paediatric vaccination programmes, pertussis remains a global health problem. Disease epidemiology has changed over time, shifting towards the adolescent and adult populations. In adults, the true burden of pertussis is greatly underestimated and pertussis vaccine coverage rates are suboptimal, including individuals with chronic conditions. Here, we report the outcomes of a virtual international scientific workshop to assess the evidence on the burden of pertussis in older adults and identify potential solutions to improve uptake of pertussis vaccines. In adults, pertussis is underdiagnosed in part due to atypical or milder clinical presentation and the lack of testing and case confirmation. However, contemporary epidemiological data denoted an increase in the burden of pertussis among adolescents and adults. This might be related to a variety of reasons including the waning of immunity over time, the lack of booster vaccination, and the improved diagnostic methods that led to increased recognition of the disease in adults. Pertussis sequelae can be severe in older adults, particularly those with existing chronic medical conditions, and the vulnerability of these groups is further enhanced by low pertussis vaccine coverage. Possible measures to increase vaccine uptake include strengthening and harmonisation of immunisation guidelines, healthcare professionals taking a more active role in recommending pertussis vaccination, involvement of vaccination centres and pharmacies in the vaccination process, and improving knowledge of pertussis burden and vaccine efficacy among the general population.
Palavras-chave
Texto completo:
1
Coleções:
01-internacional
Base de dados:
MEDLINE
Assunto principal:
Coqueluche
/
Vacinas contra Difteria, Tétano e Coqueluche Acelular
Tipo de estudo:
Etiology_studies
/
Guideline
/
Risk_factors_studies
Limite:
Adolescent
/
Aged
/
Humans
Idioma:
En
Revista:
Aging Clin Exp Res
Assunto da revista:
GERIATRIA
Ano de publicação:
2022
Tipo de documento:
Article
País de afiliação:
Coréia do Sul