-
Adult Vaccinations: Pharmacists Module 2, 2022
Most people are aware of the need for infant immunisations but very few realise that
there are valuable vaccines available for adults and adolescents as well. This
module explains why vaccines are necessary in adults and adolescents and in
various adult population groups. The pharmacist can play a key role in encouraging
the uptake of the various vaccines for adults and adolescents as well as in those
pharmacies that have a clinic, by providing such a service to the public.
Vaccines play a vital role throughout the circle of life protecting both the individual as
well as the community – from the mother and grandparents being vaccinated to
protect the newborn infant, to vaccinated babies and young children providing
protection to their grandparents. And, not to forget the importance of adolescents
benefitting from the protection of vaccines. 25% of our South African population are
adolescents and are the future leaders of our country and so it is important to ensure
their health.
Over the years vaccination has significantly reduced the burden of vaccine-
preventable infections among infants and children. According to the WHO, 2-3
million lives are saved every year due to vaccinations. However, evidence has
shown that immunity acquired through some childhood vaccinations, for example,
tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis, wanes with time. As a result of waning immunity,
older children, adolescents and adults become vulnerable to these infections. In the
United States of America, 99% of vaccine preventable deaths (VPDs) occur in
adults. In 2006, 200 children died from VPDs whereas > 70,000 adults died from
VPDs in the USA. It is therefore increasingly recognised that vaccination across all
age groups (not only infants and children) is important.
This module will enable you to have all the necessary information to be able to
advise people about adult and adolescent vaccinations and boosters, which ones are
indicated at which stages of life and when and how they should be administered.
