Quote:
Originally Posted by nomadking
Have there been any other examples where a vaccine has actually been shown to be less effective in the over-65s? If not, then saying use in over-65s is not proven, is a bit flimsy. If there have been examples where a vaccine has been found to be less effective, then caution might make more sense.
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This study shows flu vaccination efficacy dropping from 51% in under 65's to 37% which is quite a drop. As Hugh said, as you age, your immune system drops off. There can also be inflammation issues in the elderly - think rheumatoid arthritis for example which is the immune system going awry.
Clinical trial design is tough as you really want to remove 'confounding factors' - other issues with the subjects of the trial that might affect the results and the elderly may have lots of those.
In all likelihood, the vaccines will be effective in the elderly and this is how the UK has approached things but for a formal acceptance of a drug on to the market this isn't enough, you need to prove it.