Seniors Should Get High-Dose Flu Shots, Oregon Study Says

A study by the Oregon Health Authority published in Vaccine says high-dose flu vaccines are much more effective at keeping seniors healthy, to the degree that they are 30 percent less likely to end up hospitalized, reports The Oregonian . The high-dose shot is four times more powerful than the standard, as it has more antigens that trigger an immune response to a virus. The Oregon Immunization Program's Steve Robison recommends seniors get a flu vaccine that is best tailored to boosting their immune response. The study analyzed more than 144,000 Portland residents who received the flu shot before Dec. 11, 2016, a timeframe that allowed those vaccinated to develop antibodies. Both Medicare and insurance cover the flu vaccine. The study was conducted during an especially severe flu season. All age groups tracked by the federal government had high numbers who visited outpatient clinics and emergency departments and were hospitalized for the flu.