Vaccinations and Healthy Ageing: How to Rise to the Challenge Following a Life-Course Vaccination Approach

Francesca Scognamiglio; Maria Pia Fantini; Chiara Reno; Marco Montalti; Zeno Di Valerio; Giorgia Soldà; Aurelia Salussolia; Giusy La Fauci; Angelo Capodici; Davide Gori

doi:10.3390/vaccines10030375

Vaccines (Feb 2022)

Vaccinations and Healthy Ageing: How to Rise to the Challenge Following a Life-Course Vaccination Approach

Francesca Scognamiglio,
Maria Pia Fantini,
Chiara Reno,
Marco Montalti,
Zeno Di Valerio,
Giorgia Soldà,
Aurelia Salussolia,
Giusy La Fauci,
Angelo Capodici,
Davide Gori

Affiliations

Francesca Scognamiglio: School of Hygiene and Preventive Medicine, Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences, Public Health and Medical Statistics, University of Bologna, Via San Giacomo 12, 40126 Bologna, Italy
Maria Pia Fantini: Unit of Hygiene, Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences, Public Health and Medical Statistics, University of Bologna, Via San Giacomo 12, 40126 Bologna, Italy
Chiara Reno: School of Hygiene and Preventive Medicine, Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences, Public Health and Medical Statistics, University of Bologna, Via San Giacomo 12, 40126 Bologna, Italy
Marco Montalti: School of Hygiene and Preventive Medicine, Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences, Public Health and Medical Statistics, University of Bologna, Via San Giacomo 12, 40126 Bologna, Italy
Zeno Di Valerio: School of Hygiene and Preventive Medicine, Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences, Public Health and Medical Statistics, University of Bologna, Via San Giacomo 12, 40126 Bologna, Italy
Giorgia Soldà: School of Hygiene and Preventive Medicine, Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences, Public Health and Medical Statistics, University of Bologna, Via San Giacomo 12, 40126 Bologna, Italy
Aurelia Salussolia: School of Hygiene and Preventive Medicine, Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences, Public Health and Medical Statistics, University of Bologna, Via San Giacomo 12, 40126 Bologna, Italy
Giusy La Fauci: School of Hygiene and Preventive Medicine, Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences, Public Health and Medical Statistics, University of Bologna, Via San Giacomo 12, 40126 Bologna, Italy
Angelo Capodici: School of Hygiene and Preventive Medicine, Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences, Public Health and Medical Statistics, University of Bologna, Via San Giacomo 12, 40126 Bologna, Italy
Davide Gori: Unit of Hygiene, Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences, Public Health and Medical Statistics, University of Bologna, Via San Giacomo 12, 40126 Bologna, Italy

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/vaccines10030375
Journal volume & issue: Vol. 10, no. 3
p. 375

Abstract

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In the context of an ageing population, one of the major Public Health goals is to promote healthy ageing. To rise to this challenge, rethinking conventional prevention paradigms and implementing them with vaccination at all stages of life is necessary. Indeed, vaccinations are able to both prevent pathogen specific diseases and all their downstream effects and to increase overall immune system plasticity and resilience. Our aim is to discuss the obstacles and opportunities in pursuing a “life-course vaccination approach” and to highlight the role of vaccines in healthy ageing. In doing so, we address the close connections between immunology and vaccinology advances and introduce the novel concept of immune fitness. Finally, we conclude that even though vaccinology is making giant steps towards tailored vaccination strategies, more studies are needed to investigate this topic.

Published in Vaccines

ISSN: 2076-393X (Online)
Publisher: MDPI AG
Country of publisher: Switzerland
LCC subjects: Medicine
Website: http://www.mdpi.com/journal/vaccines

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Abstract

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