{"id":8318,"date":"2021-03-20T20:48:38","date_gmt":"2021-03-20T09:48:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/mvec.mcri.edu.au\/?post_type=references&p=8318"},"modified":"2026-06-04T09:53:16","modified_gmt":"2026-06-03T23:53:16","slug":"elderly-population-immunisation-recommendations","status":"publish","type":"references","link":"https:\/\/mvec.mcri.edu.au\/hi\/references\/elderly-population-immunisation-recommendations\/","title":{"rendered":"Older population\u2019s immunisation recommendations"},"content":{"rendered":"
<\/p>\n

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Providing older people with adequate protection against vaccine-preventable diseases is incredibly important but can be complex. As people age, there is a gradual decline in the functioning of the immune system (immunosenescence). Immunosenescence impacts how well the immune system can fight infections and respond to vaccines. Long<\/span>

<\/div><\/span>term immune memory, gained from past infections or through previous immunisation, can also wane (decline).<\/span><\/p>\n

The increasing prevalence of chronic disease in older people (e.g. renal conditions, cardiac conditions and cancers) adds to the complexity. Required treatments for medical conditions (e.g. chemotherapy and immunosuppressive medications<\/a>) can result in an increasing vulnerability to infections and their complications.<\/span><\/p>\n

Recommendations<\/span><\/span><\/h2>\n

There are multiple vaccines recommended and funded on the \u0930\u093e\u0937\u094d\u091f\u094d\u0930\u0940\u092f \u091f\u0940\u0915\u093e\u0915\u0930\u0923 \u0915\u093e\u0930\u094d\u092f\u0915\u094d\u0930\u092e (NIP)<\/a> for older people. Extra vaccines and\/or doses are also important for those with additional risk factors (e.g. \u092a\u094d\u0930\u0925\u092e \u0930\u093e\u0937\u094d\u091f\u094d\u0930 \u0915\u0947 \u0932\u094b\u0917<\/a>, those with

<\/div><\/a>) to optimise protection.<\/span> There are also other vaccines (unfunded) that should be considered for older people.<\/span><\/p>\n

It is always important to check an individual\u2019s immunisation record, on the Australian Immunisation Register (AIR), as recall may be unreliable.<\/span><\/p>\n

Note that adults may present to healthcare services at an age older than the minimum recommended timepoint; they should be opportunistically offered any overdue vaccines.<\/span><\/p>\n

Fu<\/span>
<\/div><\/span>ded vaccines<\/span><\/h3>\n

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Annual influenza vaccination is strongly recommended for everyone aged 6 months and older, and is funded on the NIP for those at highest risk of severe disease, including:<\/span><\/p>\n