Flu Vaccines for the Elderly: New Study Reveals Why Older People Are More at Risk

Strategic Insights -

Elderly individuals are at a higher risk of serious illness from the flu due to a weakened immune system and increased likelihood of complications. This season, flu vaccines will be available to those over 65, but scientists have been working to understand why older people are more susceptible to the virus. A recent study published in PNAS has made a groundbreaking discovery that sheds light on the reasons behind this increased risk.

Key Takeaways:

  • The study found that older people produce a glycosylated protein called apoplipoprotein D (ApoD) at higher levels than young people, which is associated with lipid metabolism and inflammation.
  • ApoD production in the lung increases with age, leading to extensive tissue damage during infection, reducing the body's antiviral response and its ability to resist infection.
  • The discovery of ApoD as a key player in the increased risk of severe influenza virus infection in the elderly has led scientists to conclude that it could be a target for therapeutic intervention to protect against severe infection.
  • The inhibitory targeting of ApoD could have a major impact on reducing the aging population's morbidity and mortality from influenza virus infection.
  • Dr. Kin-Chow Chang, co-author of the study, notes that the global population is aging at an unprecedented rate, posing significant challenges for healthcare and the economy.

Statistics:

  • According to the National Institute on Aging, the flu is a significant health risk for older adults due to their weakened immune system and increased likelihood of complications.
  • A study published in Nature Immunology in May 2023 found that men are more likely to experience severe symptoms from the flu than women.
  • The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that the flu can be especially deadly for older adults, with complications such as pneumonia, bronchitis, and stroke being more common.

Sources:

  • PNAS (Publicatioins of the National Academy of Sciences) - "Aging and glycosylation of apolipoprotein D contribute to increased susceptibility to severe influenza virus infection in the elderly" (Chang, K.C., et al., 2025)
  • National Institute on Aging - "Flu and Older Adults" (National Institute on Aging)
  • BioPharmaSpec - "Glycosylation"
  • University of Nottingham - "Research"
  • Beijing's China Agricultural University - "Department of Biological Sciences"