Abstract
The use of vaccines in pregnant, immunocompromised or chronic diseases patients has been widely discussed in the literature recently. Vaccines continue to be a safe and effective method to induce or recall immune response to several infective agents or even induce an effective response in chronically infected patients. The general presumption of adverse events, lack of response and unwanted tolerance seem to be responsible for the decreased vaccination rate in these patients. In the present review, the use of rational vaccination schemes, new patents of use, along as new approaches and patents have been discussed with the scope to diminish the high morbidity and mortality often encountered in these patients.
Keywords: Chronic diseases, hepatitis B, hepatitis C, HIV, immune-compromised patients, pregnancy, vaccines.