INTRODUCTION

Prevention of disease rather than its treatment is the most cost-effective option for protecting and promoting health of the people. The same can be achieved through immunisation. Child Immunisation is a well-recognised and implemented strategy utilised for Vaccine preventable diseases [1]. Though we are prioritising and focusing our resources on making child Immunisation a complete success story, at the same time are ignoring equally important area of adult immunisation. It continues to remain least prioritised and most ignored .In developing countries, communicable diseases contribute to a large burden of morbidity, mortality and disability [2]. At the same time Urbanisation, increased life expectancy, Globalisation, local and foreign travels have again increased the need for Adult Vaccination. Therefore focusing on the neglected domain of Adult Immunisation is the need of hour after taking consideration of vaccine safety, efficacy and cost issues (Table 1).

Major Obstacles in Adult Immunisation

1.      Preventable Diseases are significant health problems.

2.      Lack of awareness about Adult Immunisation. There is a general perception that vaccination is related to childhood only.

3.      Doubts about efficacy and safety of vaccines for adults.

4.      Difficulty to convince and access healthy Poor perception of not only general population but of Health Care Providers as well that adult Vaccine adults for vaccination.

Strategies to Promote Adult Immunisation

1.      Enhancing and improving sensitisation and awareness regarding need for and benefits of Adult Immunisation.

2.      Capacity building and chalking out strategies to deliver vaccines to adults. Exploring opportunities for ensuring vaccination of adults.

3.      Political will for sparing a portion of budget on the adult vaccination.

4.      Exploring various health financing mechanisms to kick start a sustainable Adult Immunisation.

Though there are Paediatric guidelines given by IAP and the National Immunisation Programs, there is variation from region to region in guidelines for Adult Immunisation. The major guidelines are:

1.      The Advisory committee on Immunisation Practices (ACIP) guidelines from centres for Disease control and prevention.

2.      WHO guidelines.

1.       Expert Group of the Association of Physicians of India on Adult Immunisation in India (2009) The Association of Physicians of India, evidence based clinical practice guidelines on adult immunisation. JAPI 57: 345-356.

2.       CDC Guidelines Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2012) Recommended adult immunization schedule - United States, 2012. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 61: 1-7.

3.       Muruganathan A, Mathai D, Sharma SK (2014) Adult immunization. JAPI 2014: 1-270.