· Research in Denmark* reveals that the elderly protection with High-Dose Influenza Vaccine could reduce flu and pneumonia hospitalizations by 64.4% and lower mortality rates by 48.9%
- Approximately 80% of deaths related to influenza occur in individuals over the age of 65.
- Seniors are ten times more likely to be hospitalized due to complications from the flu.
Over 400 global and regional experts convened at a regional scientific seminar on influenza, focusing on improving health outcomes for adults through vaccination. At the forum, they advocated for advancing elderly protection with the 'Protection beyond Flu' standard of care. Compelling data were presented on several urgent topics, including the burden of flu in patients with comorbidities, the impact of flu in South-East Asia, strategies to increase vaccine uptake, and methods to better evaluate flu vaccines to ensure the selection of the most effective options. These discussions underscored the urgent need to enhance flu protection to reduce its burden and improve the lives of the elderly.
Influenza is not just a common cold; it can wreak havoc across major organ systems and lead to serious complications, such as pneumonia, heart attack, and stroke. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), there are approximately 3-5 million severe cases of influenza globally each year, with around 290,000 - 650,000 deaths due to serious complications from influenza. In Thailand, according to the MoPH’s Department of Disease Control, as of November 2, 2024, 603,000 influenza cases have been reported, a 25% increase from 2023's 484,000 cases, with 47 deaths.
Elderly are 10x more likely to be hospitalized from flu complications while 8 out of 10 influenza associated deaths are among those aged over 65 years old.
Prof. Terapong Tantawichien, Head of Division of Research Clinic, Queen Saovabha Memorial Institute, Thai Red Cross Society, joined the panel discussion and shared the progress of flu vaccination in Thailand. “Thailand has significantly increased awareness of influenza's burden, initiating a free vaccination program in 2011. Initially providing 1-2 million doses to the elderly and high-risk groups, this has now increased to 6 million doses annually. Combined with 3 million doses from the private market, the total vaccine coverage rate is 12% of the population and 30% of the elderly, which is high for our region, but still lower than the WHO's 75% VCR target for vulnerable groups. Thailand aims to increase vaccine uptake to 12 million doses in the coming years to better protect the vulnerable population.”
The true impact of influenza is often underestimated due to underreporting and the burden of flu-related complications. It is estimated that the national economic burden of influenza is approximately 3.04 billion THB annually. The average cost of an outpatient visit is 7,632 THB, while hospitalization costs average 178,000 THB**. As Thailand becomes a silver-aged society with 20% of the population being over 60 years old, it is crucial to prioritize elderly protection to reduce healthcare expenditure.
Dr George Kassianos, UK Specialist in Vaccinations & Immunization, emphasized on importance of Flu vaccination among elderly. “While the vaccine coverage rate (VCR) is crucial, we have observed a recent decline in VCR among the elderly due to vaccine hesitancy. Concerns about side effects, doubts about vaccine effectiveness, and a lack of information about the severity of flu and its complications are contributing factors. It is essential to raise awareness and educate the elderly population and their caregivers as well as people in the clinical groups at risk on the importance of flu vaccination to ensure they are protected.”
To ensure the most reliable and impactful healthcare solutions, it's crucial to prioritize high-quality clinical trial design and set higher standards for medical evidence. By focusing on generating evidence from robust study methodologies, such as randomized controlled trials (RCTs) combined with real-world evidence, we can confirm the value of vaccines in providing protection.
“To measure vaccines’ effectiveness, it is important to consider clinical outcomes with robust methodology which can be even improved by combining this randomization with real-world evidence. From my study, using RCT in real world in adults aged 65-79, High-Dose Influenza Vaccine provided higher protection against flu and pneumonia hospitalization by 64.4%, and reduced the mortality by 48.9% compared to a standard-dose flu vaccine," said Prof. Tor Biering-Sorensen, who headed the Research on effectiveness of high-dose influenza vaccines in elderly over the years in Copenhagen, Denmark.
Influenza poses significant risks to vital organs and can lead to serious health complications. Notably, it can increase the risk of heart disease by 10x, stroke by 8x, and diabetes by 75%. To mitigate these risks, it is crucial to protect elderly individuals with an effective, safe, and age-appropriate influenza vaccine. This vaccination not only guards against influenza but also helps reduce the severity of potential complications, thus “Protection Beyond Flu”.
* NiklasDyrby Johansen et al., NEJM Evid 2023; 2 (2), DOI: 10.1056/EVIDoa2200206
**Kiertiburanakul et al (2020); Journal of Healthcare Organization, Provision and Financing, Volume 57:1-14