Becoming Flu-ent: A Look at Influenza and Its Impact on Seniors

This session will explore the often overlooked burden of influenza by examining its impact beyond the lung. While influenza among young adults can be characterized as a respiratory illness, influenza among seniors is increasingly viewed as a cardiorespiratory disease, given its capacity to trigger cardiovascular outcomes (stroke, MI) and respiratory complications (pneumonia). 

Seniors represent a particularly important target for influenza prevention since 70% of influenza-related hospitalizations and 90% of influenza-related deaths occur in those over 65. While more than half of seniors get immunized against influenza, age-related declines in their immune responses (immunosenescence) render seniors not only more vulnerable to infections, but also less responsive to standard influenza vaccines. As a consequence, regular influenza vaccine effectiveness among older adults is generally half of that of adults under 65.

• Review the human impact of influenza including the role of frailty, catastrophic disability and the spiral of dependency caused by influenza among the elderly.
• Gain an understanding of the impact of immunosenescence on flu vaccine effectiveness in the elderly
• Examine the clinical evidence for immunization against influenza among adults 65 and older, and review NACI’s position on vaccine options for seniors.
• Review the US experience and latest evidence on the impact of the high-dose influenza vaccine among seniors in the community and long-term care residents.
  

Speakers:

Janet E. McElhaney

MD, FRCPC, FACP

Moderator:

David Colby

MSc, MD, FRCPC

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