Immunosenescence: implications for vaccination programs in the elderly

Abstract

See, stats, and : https : //www. researchgate. net/ publication / 281136788 Immunosenescence : implications programs Article DOI : 10 . 2147 / VDT . S63888 CITATIONS 0 READS 37 3 : Dawn McMaster 109 , 137 SEE Dessi McMaster 5 SEE Avee McMaster 9 SEE All . The . All - text and , letting . Abstract : Worldwide , infectious disease is responsible for much of the morbidity and mortal - ity in the elderly . As the number of individuals over the age of 65 increases , the economic and social costs of treating these infections will become a major challenge . Vaccination is the most effective and least costly preventative measure in our arsenal ; however , vaccines that are effective in children and young adults are often ineffective in older adults . This is a result of the deteriora - tion in immune function that occurs with age , referred to as immunosenescence . Age - associated changes in leukocyte phenotype and function impair primary vaccine responses and weaken long - lasting memory responses . In this review , we discuss current vaccination approaches in the elderly and strategies to improve responsiveness in older adults , which include increasing vaccine immunogenicity and overcoming the fundamental immune defects that prevent optimal immune responses .