High-Dose Influenza Vaccine Confers Higher Relative Vaccine Efficacy/Effectiveness Vs Standard Dose

Data from 19 studies and 11 consecutive influenza seasons indicated that the high-dose influenza vaccine is consistently more effective than standard dose influenza vaccines, according to research results¹ presented at IDWeek 2022, held October 19 to 23, 2022 in Washington, D.C.

Investigators conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of research evaluating the relative vaccine efficacy/effectiveness of the high-dose influenza vaccine against probable or laboratory confirmed influenza like illnesses, which included data from more than 45 million recipients of the high- or standard-dose influenza vaccine. Results indicated improved protection with the high-dose influenza vaccine compared with the standard dose vaccine; the high-dose vaccine was also more effective at preventing hospital and emergency department visits or hospitalization due to influenza and pneumonia, pneumonia and influenza, respiratory, cardiovascular, and cardiorespiratory events.

Pooled relative vaccine efficacy/effectiveness was similar across sub-analyses, which evaluated dominant influenza strain, antigenic match, and study type and setting.

Age-stratified analyses indicated that although all adults aged 65 and older benefitted from the high-dose influenza vaccine, there was an additional relative benefit with increasing age.

“Evidence over 11 consecutive influenza seasons…suggests [that the high-dose influenza vaccine] was consistently more effective than [the standard dose influenza vaccine] at reducing influenza and associated serious outcomes, irrespective of recipient age and characteristics of the influenza season,” the researchers concluded.

Disclosure: Multiple study authors report a financial relationship with Sanofi. For full details, please see the study abstract.

Reference

1. Lee JK, Lam GK, Vaisman R, et al. Efficacy and effectiveness of high-dose influenza vaccine in older adults by age and seasonal characteristics: An updated systematic review and meta-analysis. Presented at: IDWeek 2022; October 19-23, 2022; Washington, D.C. Poster 102.