Pandemic suspends Influenza vaccine trial for elderly

The study on influenza vaccines for the elderly will not be carried out in the season 2021–2022 due to the coronavirus epidemic, said the National Institute for Health and Welfare (THL) in a press release on Thursday.

The study carried out by the THL was also not conducted last year and aims to continue the vaccine study in autumn 2022 when all the participants will be invited by letter.

Those who have participated in the study in previous years may get a regular influenza vaccine this autumn according to instructions provided by their own municipality.

The influenza vaccine is recommended for all those aged 65 or over.

The FinFluHD study compares the effectiveness of a high dose influenza vaccine with a standard dose vaccine.

The effectiveness of a new research product, a 4-valent high-dose influenza vaccine will be assessed for the elderly.

The aim is to find out whether the study preparation decreases complications of influenza, such as severe cardiovascular and respiratory diseases, compared to the influenza vaccine that is already in use.