Vaccination of Older Adults with Dementia Against Respiratory Infections

Title:Vaccination of Older Adults with Dementia Against Respiratory Infections

Volume: 14 Issue: 2

Author(s): Iman Ridda, Fereshteh Dastouri, Catherine King, Jiehui Kevin Yin, Mohamed Tashani and Harunor Rashid

Affiliation:

Keywords: Cognitive impairment, dementia, immunisation, immunosenescence, vaccines.

Abstract: People with dementia are at a greater risk of complications from respiratory infections therefore can benefit from vaccinations against influenza, pneumococcal disease and pertussis. This review aimed to evaluate the uptake and impact of vaccination in older adults with dementia against respiratory infections and identify knowledge gaps. Key databases were explored, search results were assessed, relevant studies identified, and data were synthesised and summarised. Most available data suggest that older adults with dementia are less likely to receive influenza or pneumococcal vaccine while a few studies indicate an increase in vaccination uptake but poor immunogenicity. Among dementia patients, community dwellers have a lower vaccination rate than home care residents. However, vaccinations against influenza and pneumococcal disease can benefit individuals with dementia by reducing both mortality and morbidity. Health professionals caring for patients with dementia could play a role in fostering vaccination of these individuals.

Cite this article as:

Ridda Iman, Dastouri Fereshteh, King Catherine, Yin Kevin Jiehui, Tashani Mohamed and Rashid Harunor, Vaccination of Older Adults with Dementia Against Respiratory Infections, Infectious Disorders - Drug Targets 2014; 14 (2) . https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/1871526514666140713153645