Influenza vaccination in the elderly

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.

Protective roles of flu infections and BCG vaccination in lowering Covid-19 mortality

“…However, the majority of u related deaths are in the elderly who have a weakened immune system due to senescence. This has led to the development of more potent u vaccines containing higher antigen or adjuvants which boost the immune system (Smetana et al, 2018). As seen in Table I, u vaccination is effective in lowering the number of u infections.…”

COVID-19 aus Sicht der Geriatrie

“…Speziell stark scheint die Funktion von T-Zellen beeinträchtigt zu sein. Dies könnte für die Effektivität eines, wenn dereinst entwickelten, Impfstoffs gegen SARS-CoV-2analog zu Grippeimpfungenvon Bedeutung sein [20].…”

Application of prophylactic vaccines in the elderly

“…Sveukupno, promene koje pogađaju ćelije urođenog imuniteta tokom starenja utiču na smanjenje preuzimanja antigena na mestu aplikacije vakcine, smanjenje aktivacije antigen-prezentujućih ćelija i stimulacije antigen-specifičnog adaptivnog imuniteta, što za rezultat ima smanjenu efikasnost vakcina (22,23).…”

“…Najveći broj slučajeva obolevanja (oko 80 %) beleži se u periodu godine koji obično traje 8 do 10 nedelja i karakterističan je za region. U umerenom klimatskom pojasu obe hemisfere sezona gripa se javlja u periodu od kasne jeseni do ranog proleća kada niske temperature i vlažnost pogoduju širenju virusa (22,37). Pandemije gripa se javljaju sporadično i sa nepredvidivom učestalošću.…”