Philippine Clinical Practice Guidelines for Periodic Health Examination: Immunization for Adults

Abstract

Background. Immunization is very important in public health because it reduces the spread of infectious diseases. It has been an essential part of health care programs as it prevents and controls a wide range of vaccine-preventable diseases worldwide.

Objectives. The main objective of this Clinical Practice Guidelines (CPG) is to provide evidence-based recommendations on immunization for the prevention of vaccine-preventable diseases among apparently healthy adults and those with high-risk conditions.

Methods. We followed the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) approach to CPG development recommended in the Department of Health Manual, including GRADE Adolopment and the GRADE Evidence-to-Decision or EtD frame-work. This CPG contains the systematic synthesis of scientific evidence on immunization for Cholera, Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib), Hepatitis A, Herpes Zoster, Human Papillomavirus (HPV), Influenza, Japanese Encephalitis, Measles, Meningococcal, Mpox, Pneumococcal, Rabies, Tetanus, Typhoid, and Varicella in the adult population.

Results. The CPG provides forty-one (41) recommendations on prioritized questions regarding fifteen (15) vaccines.

Conclusions. The systematic review of evidence was used to assess each vaccine’s efficacy, safety, and costeffectiveness. These recommendations can be used by relevant stakeholders, particularly in the public health units, those in primary care practice and the administrative sectors involved in implementing vaccination programs.