The Food and Drug Administration pointed out that the enhanced influenza vaccine is administered at public expense to the elderly over 65 years old, and priority is given to long-term care and nursing homes and other institutions for vaccination to enhance protection and reduce the occurrence of severe influenza and cluster infections in the elderly; situational photo. (Picture taken from shutterstock)
Seasonal influenza is an acute viral respiratory disease caused by human influenza viruses, including influenza A viruses such as H1N1 and H3N2, and influenza B viruses.
Generally speaking, influenza symptoms are more severe than common colds. In addition to its characteristics of rapid spread and wide spread, it may also cause serious complications and even death. Elderly people over 65 years old, young children, pregnant women, people with compromised immune systems and patients with chronic diseases are all high-risk groups that need special attention.
The immune system of the elderly will decline with age, and the immune response to vaccines will also weaken, making the traditional influenza vaccine less protective in the elderly. In order to enhance the protection of the elderly, two new generation booster influenza vaccines designed specifically for the elderly have been developed internationally, namely "high-dose influenza vaccine" and "adjuvant-added influenza vaccine".
1. High-dose influenza vaccine: By increasing the dose of viral antigens in the vaccine to four times that of ordinary vaccines, it can enhance the ability of the elderly's immune system to produce antibodies.
2. Adjuvant-added influenza vaccine: Add adjuvants to the vaccine to stimulate the immune cells of the elderly and enhance antibody production.
Two booster vaccines to improve influenza protection for seniors
According to research, high-dose influenza vaccines for seniors over 65 years old are 24.2% more protective than regular flu vaccines. The effect is more prominent for seniors over 75 years old and can reduce the risk of hospitalization caused by influenza by nearly 70%.
Another clinical study pointed out that the adjuvanted influenza vaccine is about a quarter more protective than the regular influenza vaccine and can help reduce severe illness and hospitalization rates caused by influenza.
At present, both vaccines have obtained drug licenses in my country. The Ministry of Health and Welfare’s Disease Control and Prevention Agency convened an expert meeting of the Ministry of Health and Welfare’s Advisory Committee on Infectious Disease Prevention and Control on Prevention and Vaccination (ACIP) in March 2025, and agreed to purchase an additional 200,000 doses of booster influenza vaccine in the autumn and winter of 2026 for public-funded vaccination of elders over 65 years old, and to give priority to vaccination in long-term care and nursing homes to strengthen protection and reduce the occurrence of severe influenza and cluster infections among elders in institutions.
Food and Drug Administration reminds you
•All influenza vaccines in my country must apply for inspection and registration from the Food and Drug Administration. After obtaining a license, they will be inspected batch by batch and sealed for release. Products that pass the inspection will have a "Drug Inspection Certificate" affixed to the outer box for public identification. Each batch of vaccines is strictly controlled by the National Laboratory of the Food and Drug Administration.
•If there are elderly, young children and other high-risk groups at home, they can consult a doctor at a medical institution and undergo professional evaluation before vaccination.
Reprinted from the 1098th issue of the Drug and Food Safety Weekly Report of the Ministry of Defense and Welfare, Food and Drug Administration
