Influenza Vaccine in People 65 Years and Older

People 65 years and older are at a higher risk of developing flu complications. It is estimated that 70-85% of flu-related deaths occur in people over the age of 65, and between 50-70% of flu-related hospitalizations have occurred in people of this group. Studies have shown that, in this age group, higher dose or adjuvanted influenza vaccines are more effective than standard dose flu vaccines. For the 2022-23 Flu Season, the CDC and ACIP recommend people in this age group to get one of three influenza vaccines:

• Fluzone High-Dose Quadrivalent Vaccine (HD-IIV4)
• Fluad Quadrivalent Adjuvanted Vaccine (aIIV4)
• Flublok Quadrivalent Recombinant Vaccine (RIV4)

Fluzone High-Dose – Single 0.7 mL injection into deltoid	Fluad – Single 0.5 mL injection into deltoid	Flublok – Single 0.5 mL injection into deltoid
Contains 4 times the amount of antigen as standard dose 24% more effective in preventing Flu than standard dose in adults over 651	Contains adjuvant (MF59) that helps create stronger immune response 50% more effective in achieving immunity to the Flu compared to non-influenza comparator in adults over 652	Recommended for adults over the age of 18 Contains 3 times the antigen as standard dose 30% more effective in preventing Flu than standard dose in adults over 503

Some of the most common side effects include:

• Injection-site Redness, Swelling and Pain
• Headache
• Runny Nose
• Body Aches

Flu & People 65 Years and Older (cdc.gov)

Prevention and Control of Seasonal Influenza with Vaccines: Recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) — United States, 2022-23 Summary of Recommendations (cdc.gov)

References

• Fluzone High-Dose Quadrivalent [package insert]. Swiftwater, PA: Sanofi Pasteur Inc. https://www.fda.gov/media/139731/download. Updated July 5, 2022. Accessed August 31, 2022.
• FLUAD QUADRIVALENT [package insert]. Summit, NJ: Seqirus USA Inc. https://www.fda.gov/media/135432/download. Updated July 5, 2022. Accessed August 31, 2022.
• Flublok Quadrivalent [package insert]. Swiftwater, PA: Sanofi Pasteur Inc. https://www.fda.gov/media/123144/download. Updated July 5, 2022. Accessed August 31, 2022.