The newly published data shows that Fluad, an influenza vaccine indicated specifically for people 65 years and older, has provided significantly improved protection against influenza in the elderly in comparison to non-adjuvanted trivalent influenza vaccine in this age group. The investigator-led Canadian study focused on British Columbia with seniors who are at an increased risk of influenza or pneumonia and who suffer the greatest morbidity and mortality of any age group from seasonal influenza infections.

The data is published in the medical journal Vaccine.

Available in Canada, Fluad is indicated for active immunization against influenza in adults 65 years and older. This age group generally has a lower immune response to regular seasonal flu vaccines. Fluad is the first and only seasonal flu vaccine coupled with MF59 adjuvant available in Canada. Another recently published Canadian study comparing Fluad to non-adjuvanted trivalent influenza vaccine formulations found Fluad to generate a significantly higher protective immune response against the influenza A vaccine strains in an elderly population.

“Canadian seniors are a high-risk group for suffering serious consequences from contracting seasonal influenza,” says Dr Anthony D’Urzo, associate professor and general practitioner, University of Toronto, Department of Family and Community Medicine, Primary Care Lung Clinic, Toronto. “The study results indicate that there is a benefit in seniors receiving an adjuvanted vaccine  that could reduce the risk of hospitalization and an increased risk of complications, especially if they have conditions like diabetes, cardiovascular or respiratory disease.”

The comparative effectiveness of adjuvanted and unadjuvanted trivalent inactivated influenza vaccine (TIV) in the elderly study by Van Buynder PG, evaluated the comparative effectiveness of adjuvanted trivalent influenza vaccine (ATIV), and unadjuvanted trivalent influenza vaccine (TIV) in reducing laboratory confirmed influenza in the elderly. Elderly in three British Columbia health authorities during winter 2011–12 were included in a community based case control study design.

The methodology used in this study is consistent with the recommendations of the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control for vaccine effectiveness studies. It has previously been used in Canadian settings to assess the pandemic vaccine effectiveness.

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