Introduction

Vaccination against preventable infectious diseases is a key component of comprehensive primary care for HIV-infected persons. Particularly for persons who are not yet virally suppressed on antiretroviral therapy or who experience incomplete or delayed immune reconstitution, the risk of infection is higher as is the risk of substantial morbidity associated with infections, including human papillomavirus (HPV)-related cancers.

Despite the acknowledged importance of vaccination, immunization rates among HIV-infected persons have historically been less than optimal.[1-3] Potential barriers to adequate immunization include competing demands in the context of care visits related to other acute health concerns, practitioner belief that immunizations should be delayed until patients are stable on treatment, lack of practitioner awareness of specific immunization recommendations for HIV-infected persons, inadequate systems for tracking of immunizations, and, for some, patient resistance to immunization.

Although HIV infection is an important determinant of immunization needs, it is also important to recognize that HIV-infected persons may also have specific indications for immunization based on other factors such as college entrance or plans for international travel.