Vaccination against old age illnesses-the cost effective approach

For the common man,the word ‘immunisation’ has been historically related to children-BCG, polio, chicken pox, DPT etc. But do you know that the term ‘adult immunisation’ has been popular since several decades Fortunately or unfortunately, developing countries are still focusing only on children and not on prevention of illnesses in the elderly.

In our centres, we have been routinely practicing adult immunisation for more than 12 years. Though there are a dozen vaccines with varying indications, at least 3-4 of them are mandatory in the Indian setting considering the prevention of huge cumulative, economic and disability burden imposed by them.

Vaccinations for common adult illnesses are available in India. All adults require tetanus and diphtheria (Td) immunisations at 10 year intervals throughout their lives. Pneumococcal vaccine is mandatory for all adults 65 years of age or older. Yearly Influenza vaccination is recommended for adults aged 50 years or older. Hepatitis B vaccine is recommended for those seeking protection from HBV infection. Herpes zoster (shingles) vaccine now available in India is just one shot from 50 years.

Prevention should start preferably from 50 years onwards and much earlier in the presence of serious illnesses such as diabetes, asthma, kidney disease etc. List of mandatory vaccines for patients with diabetes and associated illnesses have been published from this centre. The extra cost of vaccines for vaccine preventable illnesses are an intelligent and effective way of saving money and preventing disability in old age.

(The author is a geriatric expert and chairman and managing director of Jothydev's Diabetes Research Centre in Thiruvananthapuram)