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Oct 27, 2008 6:36 pm US/Eastern
Mega Flu Shots May Boost Immunity
BOSTON (WBZ) ―
Thousands of elderly Americans die from flu-related complications every year.
A new study finds that giving seniors a more potent flu shot can significantly boost their immunity.
"I always get the flu shot," said Eva Bruning.
"I come every year because I'm in one of what are called
the risk groups -- older people," said Percy Lambert.
A new study, funded by a flu vaccine maker, found that giving people age 65 and older four times the standard dose boosts flu-protecting antibodies in their blood -- up to 80 percent more.
Experts say it makes sense.
"They might benefit from having a more concentrated strain of the flu vaccine so that their immune system could boost up to a higher level of protection," said Barbara Smith, a nurse epidemiologist at St. Luke's Roosevelt Hospital.
Recent studies have questioned the effectiveness of the flu vaccine in older Americans because as we get older our immune system gets weaker, and vaccines don't work as well.
But this study suggests the answer is to give more, not less, especially considering 90 percent of the nearly 36,000 Americans who die from flu-related illnesses each year are older.
"The regular vaccine is preventing up to 50 percent hospitalization and serious illness related to influenza, and it has been shown to reduce deaths from influenza by 80 percent," Smith said.
The study did find a greater number of people who got the high-dose vaccine had the typical temporary side effects associated with the flu shot, like redness, swelling and pain at the injection site, and a lot more testing needs to be done before seniors will be rolling up their sleeves for this new super strong flu shot.
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