Recommended immunization schedule for adults in Korea, by the Korean Society of Infectious Diseases, 2012.

This guideline contains the recommended immunization schedule for adults in Korea, updated in 2012. In 2007, the Korean Society of Infectious Diseases (KSID) published a textbook on adult immunization, titled 'Vaccination for Adult.' In 2012, when the second edition of the book was published, the KSID revised its previous recommendations on adult immunization.

This guideline contains the recommended immunization schedule for adults in Korea. In 2007, the Korean Society of Infectious Diseases (KSID) published a textbook on adult immunization, titled 'Vaccination for Adult.' In 2012, when the second edition of the book was published, the KSID revised its previous recommendations on adult immunization. Figs. 1 and 2 show the recommended adult immunization schedule by the KSID [1-3].

Fig. 1

Adult immunization schedule 2012, recommended by the Korean Society of Infectious Diseases.

Td, tetanus and diphtheria toxoid; Tdap, tetanus, reduced diphtheria, acellular pertussis; HBsAb, hepatitis B surface antibody; IgG, immunoglobulin G.

a)Hepatitis A (high-risk group): persons with chronic liver disease; persons working at child-care facilities; medical personnel and laboratory workers with potential risk of exposure to hepatitis A virus; food handlers working at restaurants; persons traveling to or working in countries where hepatitis A is endemic; persons who receive blood products frequently; men sex with men; IV drug users; persons who contact with acute hepatitis A patients within 2 wk.

b)Hepatitis B (high-risk group): men sex with men; sexually active persons with more than one partner; human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) patients; IV drug users; household contacts and sexual partners of persons with hepatitis B virus (HBV) carrier; patients with chronic renal failure; patients with chronic liver disease; workers who are frequently exposed to HBV; clients and staff members of institutions for persons with developmental disabilities.

c)Measles-mumps-rubella (vaccination recommended for high-risk group): Although serological test (especially, for measles) can be done for laboratory evidence of immunity, vaccination without serologic test would be cost saving. High-risk group: healthcare personnel (serological test required, 2 doses); persons traveling to developing countries; family member who take care of immunocompromised patient; students who dwell in dormitory.

d)Varicella: vaccination recommended for high-risk group if serological test reveal no evidence of immunity. High-risk group: healthcare worker; family contacts of immunocompromised patients; teachers and child-care employees; students; military personnel; residents of correctional institutions; non-pregnant women with expecting pregnancy; adolescent and adult living in households with children; international travelers.

e)Meningococcal (high-risk group): persons with anatomical or functional asplenia; persons with complement component deficiencies; military personnel; (especially for recruits); laboratory workers exposed to meningococcus; persons who travel or live in an endemic area, particularly if their contact with local populations will be prolonged; college students living in dormitories. 2 dose series is recommended for adults with anatomical or functional asplenia, complement component deficiency, HIV infection; 2 doses should be administered at 0 and 2 mo. Revaccination with meningococcal conjugate vaccine every 5 yr for adults who remain at increased risk for infection.

f)Pneumococcal (high-risk group): chronic lung disease (including asthma); chronic cardiovascular disease; diabetes; chronic liver disease; chronic renal failure; nephrotic syndrome; functional or anatomical asplenia; immunocompromised patients (congenital immunodeficiency, HIV infection; leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin's disease, multiple myeloma, other malignancy; solid organ transplantation), (vaccinate with 3 or 4 doses of protein conjugate vaccine for hematopoietic stem cell transplants); prolonged use of high-dose corticosteroids or immunosuppressive agents; cochlear implant. One-time revaccination is recommended for persons aged 65 years or older if they were vaccinated 5 or more years previously and they were less than 65 years of age at the time of primary vaccination. One-time revaccination after 5 years is recommended for patients with chronic renal failure, nephrotic syndrome, functional or anatomical asplenia, immunocompromised conditions, prolonged use of immunosuppressive agents.

Source: adapted from Korean Society of Infectious Diseases. Vaccination for adult. 2nd ed. Seoul: MIP; 2012.

Fig. 2

Vaccinations indicated for adults based on medical conditions and other indications. HIV, human immunodeficiency virus; Td, diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis; MMR, measles-mumps-rubella.