[Influenza, pneumococci, tetanus: the most important vaccinations in old age].

In comparison with younger patients, the elderly are at an appreciably higher risk of contracting an infectious disease. Such infections can be prevented or ameliorated by appropriate vaccination, in particular in the case of pneumococcal pneumonia, influenza and tetanus. Older individuals may have an attenuated response to immunization, presumably because of inadequate thymus gland function and the weakening of cell-mediated immunity and, secondarily, of the humoral immune response to antigens. Studies have shown that the immunization rate among the elderly in Germany is inadequate; this applies in particular to the high-risk population living in nursing homes. Campaigns aimed at increasing awareness of the need for immunization are therefore urgently required.