Better Influenza Vaccines for Older People: What Will It Take?

Of all infectious diseases, influenza is foremost in its association with an agerelated increase in serious consequences leading to hospitalization, debilitating complications, and death. Current influenza vaccines are both effective [1] and cost saving [2]; however, in spite of widespread influenza vaccination programs, rates of hospitalization for acute respiratory illnesses and cardiovascular diseases have been increasing in the population aged ^65 years during the influenza season [3]. Given that current influenza vaccines are only 30%40% effective in this population, there appears to be a considerable margin for improvement. However, in spite of recent advances in vaccine development, the same technology has been used to produce seasonal influenza vaccines for the past 40 years.