Vaccination necessary for Korean adults

Article information

J Korean Med Assoc. 2011;54(12):1289-1296

Publication date (electronic) : 2011 December 13

doi : https://doi.org/10.5124/jkma.2011.54.12.1289

Hee Jin Cheong, MD

Department of Internal Medicine, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.

Corresponding author: Hee Jin Cheong, heejinmd@korea.ac.kr

Received 2011 September 06; Accepted 2011 September 20.

Abstract

The Korean Society of Infectious Diseases has provided vaccination schedules for adults residing in Korea since 2007. The primary goal of adult immunization is to maintain effective immunization coverage lasting into old age and to protect from opportunistic infections during the aging process. All adults should receive at least a decennial booster vaccination against diphtheria and tetanus as well as pertussis. Individuals above the age of 65 additionally benefit from vaccinations against pneumococcus. Even though everyone can get an annual influenza vaccine, the elderly population and persons who have chronic disease are considered the preferred group. Human papilloma virus vaccine is recommended for women under 26 years old as a catch-up vaccination. Universal hepatitis A vaccination might be helpful for persons in their 20s as a control measure nowadays under the hepatitis A epidemic. We carefully consider meningococcal vaccination for the military recruits and college student in dormitories. Furthermore, we should consider special vaccination for travelers or pregnant women. To assess vaccine benefits and risks, vaccination providers should understand the most effective strategies to reduce the burden of vaccine-preventable disease according to host status.

Keywords: Vaccination; Adult

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