Korean J Fam Pract.
2020 Oct;10(5):324-331. 10.21215/kjfp.2020.10.5.324.
Immunization for Adults
- Affiliations
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- 1Department of Family Medicine, Chungbuk National University Hospital, Cheongju, Korea
- 2Department of Family Medicine, Chungbuk National University College of Medicine, Cheongju, Korea
- KMID: 2507708
- DOI: http://doi.org/10.21215/kjfp.2020.10.5.324
Abstract
- Global life expectancy has increased with the development of medicine, and better nutrition, hygiene, and health care. However, as the elderly population increases, the number of people who are immunocompromised and who have chronic diseases has also increased. New infectious diseases have also become a significant threat to public health. In particular, pathogens can have fatal consequences in the elderly and people with underlying diseases. Vaccination is an effective and safe means of preventing infectious diseases, and adult vaccination has gained increasing interest in recent years. The increased number of people with chronic diseases and underlying health conditions is a consequence of the aging population. Furthermore, the decline in immunity after immunization in childhood and adolescence, emergence of novel infectious diseases, change in epidemiology due to mutant microorganisms, and increased infectious diseases from overseas have all increased the need for adult vaccination.
