Gemmill I
Chair, National Advisory Committee on Immunization.
Kingston, Frontenac and Lennox & Addington Public Health, Kingston, ON.
Can Commun Dis Rep. 2015 Apr 20;41(Suppl 3):2-5. doi: 10.14745/ccdr.v41is3a01.
The benefits of vaccines for adults have been underappreciated because of the focus on childhood vaccines. However, precisely because of the success of immunization programs for children, most deaths from vaccine-preventable diseases now occur amongst adults. Tetanus boosters will help to maintain Canada's low tetanus rates and pertussis boosters for adults are now available. Human papilloma virus vaccine may be indicated in some older adults. Hepatitis A and B vaccines may be indicated if there is occupational, travel or lifestyle risk. Pneumococcal and zoster vaccines are recommended in those over 65 years of age, and all adults benefit from annual influenza vaccination. A systematic approach to immunizing adults would assist in ensuring that all who are eligible for specific vaccines are offered them. This approach would include promoting routine immunization as a fundamental part of every patient encounter and the use of tools, such as the Adult Immunization Questionnaire and the Adult Immunization Wallet Card. By investing in these strategies, the health of adults can be improved significantly.
由于对儿童疫苗的关注，成人疫苗的益处一直未得到充分重视。然而，正是由于儿童免疫规划的成功，现在大多数由疫苗可预防疾病导致的死亡发生在成年人中。破伤风加强针有助于维持加拿大较低的破伤风发病率，现在也有针对成年人的百日咳加强针。人乳头瘤病毒疫苗在一些老年人中可能适用。如果存在职业、旅行或生活方式方面的风险，可能需要接种甲型和乙型肝炎疫苗。65岁以上人群建议接种肺炎球菌和带状疱疹疫苗，所有成年人每年接种流感疫苗都有益处。采用系统的方法为成年人接种疫苗将有助于确保所有符合特定疫苗接种条件的人都能接种。这种方法将包括将常规免疫作为每次患者诊疗的基本组成部分加以推广，并使用如成人免疫调查问卷和成人免疫钱包卡等工具。通过投资这些策略，可以显著改善成年人的健康状况。
