Adult immunization

Abstract

An overview of vaccination is followed by a practical review of selected agents and special hosts. There are licensed vaccines for 25 infectious diseases and immune globulins for several others. Primarily pediatric vaccines (diphtheria, Haemophilus influenzae, rotavirus, and pertussis) and uncommonly used vaccines (anthrax, cholera, plague, and bacille Calmette Gue’rin [BCG]) are not covered. Although usually administered to children, measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) and polio vaccines are discussed, since they are occasionally indicated for adults.