Summary
Influenza is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in the elderly. Influenza vaccine is recommended for people aged 65 years and older and those in long term care. Currently only 30% of high risk persons are vaccinated. Vaccination generally stimulates an adequate immune response, is well tolerated and is to be encouraged. Prophylactic amantadine 100 mg/day should be given for 2 weeks with influenza vaccine in the aged population when they have not been previously immunised. Broad application of these preventive measures would have a significant impact on reducing influenza prevalence in the elderly and other high risk groups.
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Gross, P.A. Current Recommendations for the Prevention and Treatment of Influenza in the Older Population. Drugs & Aging 1, 431–439 (1991). https://doi.org/10.2165/00002512-199101060-00003
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.2165/00002512-199101060-00003