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Hum Vaccin Immunother. 2017 Jul 14:0. doi: 10.1080/21645515.2017.1343226. [Epub ahead of print]
Influenza vaccination in the elderly.
Jan S1, Roman C1, Jana S2,3, Miroslav S1, Roman P2,4.
Author information
Abstract
Seasonal influenza is a prevalent and serious annual illness resulting in widespread morbidity and economic disruption throughout the population; the elderly and immunocompromised are particularly vulnerable to serious sequelae and mortality. The changing demographics worldwide to an aging society have important implications for public health policy and pharmaceutical innovations. For instance, primary prevention via immunization is effective in reducing the burden of influenza illness among the elderly. However, the elderly may be insufficiently protected by vaccination due to the immunosenescence which accompanies aging. In addition, vaccine hesitancy among the younger populations increases the likelihood of circulating infectious diseases, and thus concomitant exposure. While it is clear that the development of more immunogenic vaccines is an imperative and worthy endeavor, clinical trials continue to demonstrate that the current influenza vaccine formulation remains highly effective in reducing morbidity and mortality when well matched to circulating strains.
KEYWORDS:
Influenza vaccination; burden of flu; efficacy; elderly; immunization strategies
PMID: 28708957 DOI: 10.1080/21645515.2017.1343226
Influenza vaccination in the elderly.
Jan S1, Roman C1, Jana S2,3, Miroslav S1, Roman P2,4.
Author information
Abstract
Seasonal influenza is a prevalent and serious annual illness resulting in widespread morbidity and economic disruption throughout the population; the elderly and immunocompromised are particularly vulnerable to serious sequelae and mortality. The changing demographics worldwide to an aging society have important implications for public health policy and pharmaceutical innovations. For instance, primary prevention via immunization is effective in reducing the burden of influenza illness among the elderly. However, the elderly may be insufficiently protected by vaccination due to the immunosenescence which accompanies aging. In addition, vaccine hesitancy among the younger populations increases the likelihood of circulating infectious diseases, and thus concomitant exposure. While it is clear that the development of more immunogenic vaccines is an imperative and worthy endeavor, clinical trials continue to demonstrate that the current influenza vaccine formulation remains highly effective in reducing morbidity and mortality when well matched to circulating strains.
KEYWORDS:
Influenza vaccination; burden of flu; efficacy; elderly; immunization strategies
PMID: 28708957 DOI: 10.1080/21645515.2017.1343226