In 2020, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved an enhanced flu vaccine for people 65 and older. The vaccine is given as a single injection in the arm like the traditional flu shot, but it contains an additional ingredient called an “adjuvant.” The additive helps create a stronger immune response to the flu compared to the standard-dose vaccine.
People 65 and older typically have the highest rates of hospitalization and death from the flu. However, the protection provided by the standard flu shot is not as strong as in younger patients. This could be due to the fact that antibody levels are not high enough with that vaccine. Researchers are exploring a variety of ways to boost the immune response in seniors. Enhancing the vaccine for use in this population is one of them.
Side effects were mild to moderate and temporary, and included pain, redness at the injection site, headache, muscle aches, and malaise following vaccination with adjuvanted flu vaccines. But research has not found a difference in major adverse effects caused by adjuvanted vaccines versus standard-dose flu vaccine.
Both the enhanced flu vaccine and standard-dose shots are considered accepted flu vaccines for seniors. This year, the Centers for Disease Control recommends that those 65 years and older receive an enhanced flu vaccine over a standard dose vaccine. However, if an enhanced vaccine isn’t available at the time of your visit, people in this age group should get any other age-appropriate flu vaccine instead.