Summary of the National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI) Supplemental Guidance on Influenza Vaccination in Adults 65 Years of Age and Older.

Abstract

Background: Adults 65 years of age and older are at higher risk of influenza complications, such as hospitalization and death. As a result, seasonal influenza immunization is particularly important for this group.

Objective: This supplemental statement provides an evidence summary on the preferential use of one or more of the age-appropriate influenza vaccines for adults 65 years of age and older, over other age-appropriate influenza vaccines.

Methods: The National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI)'s Influenza Working Group undertook an overview of existing systematic reviews on the efficacy, effectiveness, safety and cost effectiveness of influenza vaccination in adults 65 years of age and older. Additionally, NACI's evidence-based process was used to assess the quality of eligible studies, summarize and analyze the findings and apply an ethics, feasibility and acceptability lens to develop recommendations.

Results: The evidence suggests that high-dose inactivated influenza vaccine (IIV-HD), adjuvanted inactivated influenza vaccine (IIV-Adj) and recombinant influenza vaccine (RIV) offer increased benefits for adults 65 years of age and older when compared to standard dose influenza vaccines. The IIV-HD had the most supporting evidence, followed by IIV-Adj and then RIV. Evidence comparing these enhanced vaccines was limited.

Conclusion: Following a thorough review of the complete body of evidence, NACI recommends that IIV-HD, IIV-Adj or RIV should be offered over other influenza vaccines for adults 65 years of age and older. NACI also continues to strongly recommend the inclusion of adults 65 years of age and older among those for whom it is particularly important to receive influenza vaccination.