title: Usefulness of influenza vaccination in the elderly.
abstract: Since influenza morbidity and mortality are high in the elderly, the usefulness of vaccination has been evaluated. One hundred and twenty-six older persons aged 60-90 yr were given a vaccine consisting of the 3 antigens Singapore, Shanghaï and Yamagata, the latter 2 being new antigens. Antibody levels for each of the antigens were determined by ELISA calibrated in HA units prior to and 1 month after vaccination. Before vaccination, antibodies to Shanghaï and Singapore antigens were found in practically all sera tested, and antibodies to Yamagata antigen in only 66% of sera. After vaccination, significant levels of antibodies to all 3 antigens were found in sera tested. Thus, it was observed that influenza vaccination proved to be effective in the elderly. The elderly should be immunized against influenza, since this is a safe and efficacious preventive measure. In addition, vaccination should limit the spreading of influenza in nursing homes.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Toxin Immunochemistry, Pasteur Institute, Paris, France.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Fattal-German
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Taillandier
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Mathieu
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Bauman
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Bizzini
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000032:analysis; D000956:Antigens, Viral / Q000145:classification; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007252:Influenza Vaccines / Q000276:immunology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007251:Influenza, Human / Q000517:prevention & control*; D008297:Male; D014611:Vaccination
chemical_list: D000914:Antibodies, Viral; D000956:Antigens, Viral; D007252:Influenza Vaccines