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Updated: May 28, 2026

An Optimized Hemagglutination Inhibition (HI) Assay to Quantify Influenza-specific Antibody Titers
Published on: December 1, 2017
Improving immunogenicity and effectiveness of influenza vaccine in older adults
Weiping Cao1, Jin Hyang Kim, Tatiana Chirkova
1Influenza Division, National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Bldg 15, SSB 611 B, 1600 Clifton Road, Atlanta, GA, USA.
Abstract:
Aging is associated with a decline in immune function (immunosenescence) that leads to progressive deterioration in both innate and adaptive immune functions. These changes contribute to the subsequent increased risk for infectious diseases and their sequelae. Vaccination is the most effective and inexpensive public health strategy for prevention of infection, despite the decreased efficacy of vaccines in older adults due to immunosenescence. The rapid rise in the older adult population globally represents a great challenge for vaccination programs. This article first addresses the status of innate and adaptive immune functions in aging and then focuses on influenza vaccine. The development history of influenza vaccines, current status, and potential strategies to improve the immunogenicity and vaccine effectiveness in older adults are discussed.
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