Do elderly need their own special flu shots?

[shortylickens]

http://abcnews.go.com/Health/wireStory/flu-shot-poor-job-worst-bug-seniors-18557654

Supposedly the biggest reason for flu shots is to save lives of seniors, the group most in danger of flu deaths.

If its such a big concern is there a basis for designing shots specifically for different age groups?

Or is it enough that everyone gets immune and hopefully the seniors indirectly benefit from a healthier society? My thought was since so many of them dont mingle with the younger crowd regularly maybe its not as helpful.

 

[Brainonska511]

Vaccinations have the same basic mechanisms across all age groups. Unfortunately, as you age, your immune system weakens, hence, lower efficacy for vaccinations in older populations.

One of the best solutions would be to come up with a better vaccine for influenza, but that's not easy. It would also not solve the problem of being better for people with weakened immune systems.

The next best solution is for everyone to get immunized. Even though it doesn't cover all strains, it does cover the predominant ones, minimizing the ability for the virus to spread.

 

[K1052]

It should be looked at but the biggest factors are guessing the strains right each year and getting enough people vaccinated to get the benefit of herd immunity.

 

[shortylickens]

It should be looked at but the biggest factors are guessing the strains right each year and getting enough people vaccinated to get the benefit of herd immunity.

Yeah but my point in in human colonies we often have two herds, the regular one out running around and interacting with each other, and the elder herd which is frequently quartered off and mostly only interacts in their small group. When they do get sick it is much more likely to be lethal.

 

[K1052]

Yeah but my point in in human colonies we often have two herds, the regular one out running around and interacting with each other, and the elder herd which is frequently quartered off and mostly only interacts in their small group. When they do get sick it is much more likely to be lethal.

If it's possible to increase the efficacy of the vaccine for the elderly that should be explored. I think that making sure people who come into regular contact with them are inoculated is the most practical solution for the time being.