Immune System, Immunosenescence and Immunisation in the Elderly

This chapter provides an overview of the immune system and immunosenescence and highlights the importance of immunisation in the elderly. A robust immune system is necessary to maintain health. In the aged, the age-dependent decline in immunity has been attributed to the functional activity of the haemopoietic stem cells (HSC). The susceptibility of the elderly to infectious diseases, autoimmunity and cancer and their decreased responsiveness to vaccination are directly or indirectly related to age-related changes of the immune system. The elderly have increased rates of infection and multiple co-morbidities. Older adults require vaccination against the following diseases, namely, seasonal influenza, pneumococcal disease, shingles, tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis.