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Review
. 2009:333:413-29.
doi: 10.1007/978-3-540-92165-3_20.

Immunosenescence and influenza vaccine efficacy

Suryaprakash Sambhara  1 , Janet E McElhaney
Affiliations
Review

Immunosenescence and influenza vaccine efficacy

Suryaprakash Sambhara et al. Curr Top Microbiol Immunol. 2009.

Abstract

A number of protective immune functions decline with age along with physiological and anatomical changes, contributing to the increased susceptibility of older adults to infectious diseases and suboptimal protective immune responses to vaccination. Influenza vaccination is the most cost-effective strategy to prevent complications from influenza viral infections; however, the immunogenicity and effectiveness of currently licensed vaccines in the United States is about 30-50% in preventing complications arising from influenza and preventing death from all causes during winter months in older adults. Hence, it is crucial to understand the molecular mechanisms that lead to immune dysfunction as a function of age so that appropriate strategies can be developed to enhance the disease resistance and immunogenicity of preventive vaccines, including influenza vaccines, for the older adult population.

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Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Pathogen sensors of the innate immune system. Several families of pathogen-sensing receptors that recognize conserved molecular signatures of pathogens are localized in various compartments within the cell as well as in body fluids. Engagement of these receptors leads to the activation of the innate immune system and the elimination of the pathogens
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Immune dysfunction in older adults. The characteristics of the alterations observed in both the innate and adaptive immune compartments
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
Factors contributing to poor or suboptimal vaccine effectiveness in seasonal influenza vaccination of older adults
Fig. 4
Fig. 4
Passive and active immunization strategies for older adults against influenza
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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