Fluad and the Protection of Seniors (65+) Against Influenza
Fluad is an enhanced adjuvanted, trivalent influenza vaccine that France’s Haute Autorité de Santé (HAS) recommends preferentially for adults aged 65 and older. In practice, HAS regards adjuvanted vaccines like Fluad as offering protection comparable to high-dose vaccines such as Efluelda, and it positions them as preferred options for the 65+ population to combat seasonal flu and its potential complications.
What Fluad Is and How It Works
Fluad (Seqirus) contains two influenza A antigens and one influenza B antigen, aligning with World Health Organization (WHO) recommendations. What sets Fluad apart is a patented adjuvant designed to heighten and prolong the immune response in people whose immune systems often respond less vigorously to vaccines due to aging, a process known as immunosenescence. This makes Fluad particularly relevant for the 65+ demographic, which faces a higher risk of severe influenza leading to hospitalization or death.
Adjuvants, Dose, and Why They Matter in the Elderly
Adjuvants work by boosting the body’s immune response to the vaccine’s antigens. For seniors, this boost can translate into a longer-lasting level of protection across the influenza season. HAS notes that both adjuvanted vaccines and high-dose vaccines provide meaningful protection for older adults, and they are considered equivalent in their protective potential for the 65+ group in many real-world settings.
Impact on Hospitalizations and Severe Illness
HAS has emphasized that, based on experiences in the United States and several European countries, Fluad can contribute to a reduction in respiratory infections and, notably, in influenza-related hospitalizations. Observational data reported by HAS suggest a reduction in hospitalizations of about 15% to 25% when comparing adjuvanted vaccines to standard-dose, non-adjuvanted vaccines. This finding is particularly important for older adults who are more likely to experience severe influenza requiring hospital care.
Seasonal Context: 2024-2025 and Beyond
In the 2024-2025 season, health authorities registered high burdens of influenza. About 29,000 hospitalizations occurred after emergency department visits for flu, with 60% of these cases in people aged 65 and over. Roughly 5,000 deaths were attributed to influenza, of which about 82% involved individuals aged 65 and older. These figures underscore the ongoing vulnerability of seniors to influenza and the potential benefits of optimized vaccination strategies that include Fluad as a preferred option.
Vaccination Coverage and World Health Organization Goals
Despite the proven risk, vaccination uptake among those aged 65 and over has remained suboptimal. For the 2024-2025 season, the estimated vaccination coverage in this age group was about 53.7%, slightly down from 54% the previous season. This is well below the WHO target of 75% coverage for older adults. Public health campaigns continue to emphasize increasing access and acceptance of influenza vaccination alongside other respiratory vaccines.
Practical Considerations for the 2024-2025 Season
The flu and COVID vaccination campaign typically starts in mid-October. For the 65+ population, HAS indicates that both Fluad and high-dose vaccines like Efluelda are valid options, with a preference given to adjuvanted vaccines when considering individual risk profiles, prior vaccination history, and local availability. Healthcare providers can discuss the relative benefits of Fluad and high-dose vaccines to help each patient make an informed choice about protection against influenza and its complications.
What to Expect and How to Get Vaccinated
Older adults or their caregivers should consult primary care physicians, pharmacists, or public health clinics for vaccine recommendations and scheduling. Ensuring access to vaccines, along with timely administration ahead of the peak influenza season, remains a key public health objective as seasonal flu continues to pose a serious threat to seniors and those with chronic conditions.
Bottom Line
Fluad represents a scientifically supported option for adults aged 65 and older, offering enhanced protection through its adjuvant. In parallel with high-dose vaccines like Efluelda, Fluad helps address the elevated risk of hospitalization and mortality from seasonal influenza in the elderly, supporting HAS’s goal of optimizing protection for the most vulnerable populations.
