Seniors are believed to be at higher risk from influenza. So high-dose vaccines were created supposedly to provide superior protection, and certainly manufacturers can charge more for them. A study shows that as usual, claims of effectiveness were exaggerated and the high-dose vaccine provides no better protection against hospitalization than does the regular dose. This was a randomized trial conducted in Denmark across three flu seasons in adults 65 or older with a primary outcome of hospitalization. Over 330,000 adults were included in the trial. There was no statistical difference in hospitalizations for influenza or for any reason or in death for any cause. So if you are an older adult, you don’t need that high-dose vaccine they try to push on you. (NJEM Article)
