Hippokratia 1998, 2(1):7-15
F. Kanakoudi-Tsakalidou
Abstract
Vaccination of susceptible adults is mainly targeting: 1. To protect them from a vaccine preventable disease which may have an adverse outcome. 2. To prevent a spread of the disease either to specific population groups who may suffer serious consequences or to the general population with the risk of disease outbreaks. Nowadays, vaccination of adolescents and adults is a necessity for two more reasons: First, because of the failure of various Organizations, Committees etc to eradicate all the vaccine preventable diseases even from the developed countries and second, because of the change of the epidemiologic scenery in the 90ties that affected many countries, Greece among them. Adults have to be vaccinated with almost all vaccines recommended for children unless they have acquired natural immunity after exposure. However, there are certain adult high risk population groups which must be immunized at least against certain vaccine preventable diseases because of their job or living conditions or style of life or age etc. The recommended schedule for vaccinating adults depends on their immunization status (vaccines given during childhood). The strategy of vaccination in a country is determined by the epidemiological conditions of this country, its Health Care System, financial factors and the targets that have been put as far as the future of the disease is concerned (eradication, reduction of morbidity, control of an epidemic).