Vaccinations.

Tetanus-diphtheria toxoid, influenza virus vaccines, and pneumococcal vaccine are recommended for older persons in the United States by the Centers for Disease Control. But most high-risk older persons remain unvaccinated, despite experiencing relatively high rates of tetanus, influenza-related complications, and pneumococcal disease, and having available effective, safe, and low-cost vaccines. Strategies for improving these vaccination rates require an intensive approach focused on (1) identifying older persons with high-risk conditions, (2) improving the delivery of vaccines, (3) improving the acceptance of vaccines by older persons, and (4) establishing mandatory immunization programs.