Age and immunity: study highlights challenges and opportunities for vaccine protection

International scientists have evaluated molecular mechanisms responsible for heterogeneous responses to influenza vaccination among older adults. They have identified potential immunological mediators that suppress the production of vaccine-induced antibodies. The study is currently available on the MedRxiv* preprint server. Influenza infection causes more than 400,000 deaths annually worldwide. Inactivated subunit influenza vaccination is the best preventive and cost-effective measure to control disease severity and transmission. Although the virus causes mild to severe respiratory infections in people of any age, older adults exhibit higher susceptibility to developing severe and often life-threatening infections. Moreover, a reduced and heterogeneous vaccine response has been observed among older adults, mostly because of age-related suppression of immune activities. In the current study, scientists evaluated the heterogeneity of responsiveness to influenza vaccination in older adults across two independent influenza seasons. The study longitudinally examined 234 older adults aged 65 years and above who had received trivalent inactivated influenza vaccine. Blood samples collected from...