Why carry out the study?

Risk of influenza-associated clinical burden appeared to increase with age, particularly in those with existing comorbidities and infected with strain A(H3N2)

Influenza-related hospitalization and mortality in patients aged ≥65 years varied considerably by season, likely driven by dominant circulating influenza strain, population immunity rates, and the rigor of surveillance and reporting

What was learned from the study?

The presence of comorbidities was associated with increased rates of influenza-related hospitalization, ICU admissions, ER visits and mortality in patients aged ≥65 years

Innovative influenza vaccine design and production, e.g., implementation of mRNA vaccine technology, are required to overcome existing limitations and improve influenza vaccine effectiveness in adults aged ≥65 years