[After the COVID-19 pandemic-Which new vaccinations for adults are available or coming soon?].

The accumulation of respiratory infections in the winter months repeatedly highlights the relevance of prevention through vaccination, even beyond a pandemic. Current developments in this field are therefore highly relevant, particularly for older people who are more susceptible to infections due to immune senescence and comorbidities. The Standing Committee on Vaccination (STIKO) has responded accordingly by recommending the 20-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine PCV20 for standard and indication vaccination of adults.

[Vaccination in old age: an overview].

Vaccinations against infectious diseases are a highly effective preventive measure, especially in old age due to the higher susceptibility to infections. As the effectiveness of vaccinations decreases in old age due to immune senescence but also due to comorbidities, specific, more immunogenic vaccines have been developed for this target group. In Germany, the Standing Commission on Vaccination (STIKO) publishes annually updated vaccination recommendations also specifically for the 60+ years age group.

[Once vaccinated, always vaccinated? A claims data analysis on repeated influenza vaccinations among individuals aged ≥ 60 years].

Background: The Standing Committee on Vaccination recommends the seasonal influenza vaccination as a standard vaccination for individuals aged ≥ 60 years and as an indication vaccination independent of age. Empirical data on repeated vaccination are not available for Germany. The aim of this study was therefore to investigate the frequency and influencing factors of repeated vaccinations.

Robotic-assisted Gynecological Surgery in Older Patients - a Comparative Cohort Study of Perioperative Outcomes.

Because of current demographic developments, a hypothesis was proposed whereby older female patients aged > 65 years can be safely operated using minimally invasive, robotic-assisted surgery, despite having more preoperative comorbidities. A comparative cohort study was designed to compare the age group ≥ 65 years (older age group, OAG) with the age group < 65 years (younger age group, YAG) after robotic-assisted gynecological surgery (RAS) in two German centers. Consecutive RAS procedures performed between 2016 and 2021 at the Women's University Hospital of Jena and the Robotic Center Eisenach to treat benign or oncological indications were included in the study.

Effectiveness of Individual Oral Health Care Training in Hospitalized Inpatients in Geriatric Wards.

Objective: To investigate the effectiveness of individual oral health care training (IndOHCT) on dental plaque removal and denture cleaning in hospitalized geriatric inpatients.

Background: The literature reveals neglect of hygiene and oral care in people aged over 65 years, especially in persons in need of care. Hospitalized geriatric inpatients have poorer dental health than those non-hospitalized.

Importance and value of adjuvanted influenza vaccine in the care of older adults from a European perspective - A systematic review of recently published literature on real-world data.

Background: There is an urgent need for improved influenza vaccines especially for older adults due to the presence of immunosenescence. It is therefore highly relevant to compare enhanced influenza vaccines with traditional influenza vaccines with respect to their effectiveness.

Objective: To compare vaccine efficacy and effectiveness of adjuvanted influenza vaccines (aTIV/aQIV) vs.

[Influenza].

Influenza is the infectious disease with the highest population-based mortality. It mainly affects those aged 60 years and older, mainly due to immune senescence, which also favors complicated courses and compromises vaccine effectiveness. Therefore, various approaches have been developed for more immunogenic vaccines, which are now available for use.

Geriatric assessment for older adults admitted to the emergency department: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Older adults are the most frequent users of emergency services. Comprehensive geriatric assessment (CGA) can help identify high-risk older adults at an early stage. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to identify and evaluate CGA tools used in the emergency department (ED), analyze their predictive validity for adverse outcomes and recommend tools for this particular situation.

[Vaccination in older adults: compulsory or voluntary exercise?].

Background: Immunosenescence leads to an increasing susceptibility to infections. Therefore, vaccination is an essential element of prevention. The recommendations of the permanent vaccination commission (STIKO), a committee at the Robert-Koch-Institute, affiliated to the German Government, are updated every year and include a particular section dealing with older adults.

Testing the ability for autonomous oral hygiene in hospitalized geriatric patients-clinical validation study.

Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate if the Timed Test for Money Counting (TTMC) complemented with testing the range of shoulder motion by griping the backside of the neck (NG) predicts the ability of geriatric inpatients to perform effective plaque reduction by autonomously conducted oral hygiene.

Material And Methods: This clinical validation study involved 74 hospitalized geriatric inpatients, 48 (64.9%) females, aged between 66 and 98 years (mean age 84.

Comorbidities in the Elderly and Their Possible Influence on Vaccine Response.

The following chapter is focused on the impact of comorbidities on the effectiveness of vaccination in older persons. Relevant comorbidities are cardiovascular diseases like hypertension, coronary artery disease or congestive heart failure, which lead to reduction of vaccine immunogenicity; or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease with a decline in lung function and a higher risk for pneumonia or infections due to influenza. End-stage renal disease has a high impact on developing infections and causes immune dysfunction over all parts of the immune system.

[Geriatrics in times of corona].

The current corona crisis affects older patients as well as the geriatric infrastructure in all sectors. This article provides an overview about the current state of knowledge on COVID-19 with special consideration of geriatric aspects and the consequences for the geriatric care system.

Outcome of Older Patients with Acute Neuropsychological Symptoms Not Fulfilling Criteria of Delirium.

Objectives: Although delirium is often investigated, little is known about the outcomes of patients having acute neuropsychological changes at a single time point without fulfilling the criteria of full delirium. Our aim was to determine point prevalence, predictors, and long-term outcomes of delirium and acute neuropsychological changes in patients aged 60 years and older across different departments of a university hospital with general inpatient care.

Design: Prospective observational study.

[Influenza: special aspects in old age].

In Germany up to 20% of the population are affected by influenza every year. Particularly for the elderly, influenza is related to high morbidity and mortality and 90% of deaths are related to the group of 60 years and older. In this context, seasonal influenza caused by influenza A (H3N2) viruses is exceedingly relevant for the elderly.

Naso- and oropharyngeal bacterial carriage in nursing home residents: Impact of multimorbidity and functional impairment.

Objective: From April 2013 to February 2014 we performed a multicentre prospective cross-sectional study in 541 German nursing home residents. We determined pharyngeal carriage of Streptococcus pneumoniae (primary objective) and other bacteria (secondary objective) in naso- and oropharyngeal swabs by culture-based standard procedures and explored the influence of multimorbidity and functional status on bacterial carriage.

Methods: Socio-demographic data, vaccination status, multimorbidity, nutrition and functional status defined by Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment were evaluated.