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Immunosenescence and Vaccination

Immunosenescence refers to the aging of the human immune system. As people age, both their innate and adaptive immunity weaken in ways that increase their risk of infection. Living in a nursing home alone increases this risk, as older adults are in close contact and share spaces. It is important for nursing home staff to reduce infection spread through hand washing and other hygiene practices. Vaccination is a key tool for supporting immune function in this population, with the influenza vaccine especially important for preventing respiratory illness.

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103 views1 page

Immunosenescence and Vaccination

Immunosenescence refers to the aging of the human immune system. As people age, both their innate and adaptive immunity weaken in ways that increase their risk of infection. Living in a nursing home alone increases this risk, as older adults are in close contact and share spaces. It is important for nursing home staff to reduce infection spread through hand washing and other hygiene practices. Vaccination is a key tool for supporting immune function in this population, with the influenza vaccine especially important for preventing respiratory illness.

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Fred smith
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Immunosenescence and Vaccination

in Nursing Home Residents

Immunosenescence is the scientific term for the aging of a human beings immune system.
All aspects of the immune system are affected in some way by aging, but it is apparent that T
cells are the most affected. The exact causes of immunosenescence are not known, but it is
known that decreased thymus activity and changes in cellular signal transduction result in more
pro inflammatory cytokines released as one ages.
Changes in the innate immunity plays a very large role in immunoscenesce. The innate
immune system includes macrophages, B cells, activated T cells, and even neutrophils. The
ability of these is reduced due to the alteration of cellular membrane with age. Nutritional status
deficiency, specifically protein and vitamin and mineral deficiency is also extremely common
among older adults who both live at home or live in an assisted care facility. This study cites
studies that show evidence of vitamin E and vitamin D (ergocalciferol) when administered daily
to older adults, reduced risk of infection and lowered infection recovery times. In regards to the
endocrine system, changes in hormones do in fact have a role in immunosenescence.

The overall risk of infection in an older adult is separate from that of the process of aging,
even though it is hard to separate. A lot of chronic illness leads to chronic immunodeficiency
which can lead to an even higher rate of sickness. For example, a condition such as diabetes,
bronchitis, or nephropathy will lead to between a 25 and 100x increase incidence of pneumonia
or influenza.
Just being in a nursing facility alone is an risk for infectious disease. Infections such as
influenza, norovirus, and C.diff and even vaccine preventable illnesses such as pneumonia are
found. This is due to the sharing of space, food, lack of washing hands with water, and the
sharing of caregivers which lead to this increased risk of illness.
It is the nurses job to reduce and eliminate the spread of infection.
The backbone of immunosupport in the nursing home is vaccination. The influenza
vaccine is considered the most important tool in reducing respiratory infection.

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