From the CDC, regarding Fluad, the over age 65 flu shot:
"The new flu vaccine, Fluad, was licensed in November 2015 and will be available during the 2016-2017 flu season. It contains MF59 adjuvant, an oil-in-water emulsion of squalene oil. FLUAD™ is the first adjuvanted seasonal flu vaccine marketed in the United States.
"
What is FLUAD™?
FLUAD™ is a standard-dose, three-component (trivalent) inactivated flu vaccine that contains an adjuvant. It is manufactured using an egg-based product (like most flu vaccines), and is formulated with the adjuvant MF59. An adjuvant is an ingredient added to a vaccine that helps create a stronger immune response to vaccination.
What is MF59?
MF59 is an oil-in-water emulsion of squalene oil. Squalene, a naturally occurring substance found in humans, animals and plants, is highly purified for the vaccine manufacturing process. FLUAD™ is approved for use among people 65 years and older, who often have a lower protective immune response after flu vaccination compared to younger, healthier people.
Why are adjuvants added to flu vaccines?
Adjuvants can be added vaccines to enhance immune response. Adjuvants also can reduce the amount of virus needed for production of a vaccine, which can allow for greater supplies of vaccine to be manufactured. "
In short, an adjuvant makes it possible for (in this case) flu vaccines to evoke a much stronger immune response in the vaccine recipient at a lower cost to the vaccine manufacturer, because less viral antigen is needed to make the product using MF59. The jury is still out, however, as to whether the over age 65 shot reduces incidence of influenza better than the regular flu shot in those over age 65. Antibody production is not the only component to a person's immune response to a pathogen.
Regarding another, different, high dose flu shot available for senior citizens, Fluzone High-Dose, which does not have the new MF59 adjuvant, but has four times the antigen component of the regular flu shot, the CDC states,
"Does the higher dose vaccine produce a better immune response in adults 65 years and older?
Data from clinical trials comparing Fluzone to Fluzone High-Dose among persons aged 65 years or older indicate that a stronger immune response (i.e., higher antibody levels) occurs after vaccination with Fluzone High-Dose. Whether or not the improved immune response leads to greater protection has been the topic on ongoing research."
Research is ongoing. The two over-age-65 shots (that I just found rather quickly-- and there may be more of them) are significantly different in composition.
Blogs & Forums
Forums
Blogs
