Frailty and Flu Vaccination in Older Adults
Official title: Frailty and Influenza Vaccination Among Older Adults
Funded at VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System · NIH-11287885 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project studies how frailty in older adults affects how well the flu vaccine works and how likely they are to have good outcomes after vaccination.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Los Angeles, United States) |
| Project start | January 1, 2024 |
| Project end | September 30, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| NIH project number | 5IK2CX002648-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11287885 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Older adults, especially veterans, who are vaccinated or planning vaccination against influenza.
✕Less likely to help
The study may not directly benefit younger individuals or those without frailty considerations.
What this research studies
For older adults, health and aging vary a lot, and vaccines may work differently depending on frailty. The study uses the VA Frailty Index to look at whether frailty changes the protection people get from influenza vaccines in community-dwelling Veterans and in those in care facilities. It also explores whether frailty is linked to worse outcomes after vaccination and if influenza infection mediates that risk. The findings could help tailor vaccination strategies for older patients based on frailty.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the research could guide personalized vaccination approaches to improve protection for frail older adults.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work suggests frailty may influence vaccine responses, but data in this specific context are limited.
Where this research is happening
-
VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System
Los Angeles, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Seligman, Benjamin Joseph — VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System
- Study coordinator: Seligman, Benjamin Joseph
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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How frailty affects the effectiveness of influenza vaccination in older adults
This study is looking at how frailty affects how well the flu vaccine works for older adults, especially veterans living in the community or in care centers, to help improve vaccination strategies for those who are more at risk.
-
How frailty affects flu vaccination outcomes in older adults
This study is looking at how being frail affects how well the flu vaccine works for older adults aged 65 and up, with the goal of finding ways to better protect those who are more vulnerable.
-
How the immune system responds to flu shots and flu infection
This project looks at how adults' immune systems react after flu shots or when they catch the flu to find why some people get better protection than others.
-
Motivational interviewing to increase COVID-19 and flu vaccination
This project teaches primary care providers conversational skills to help more adults, especially those in vulnerable communities, feel comfortable getting COVID-19 and flu shots.
-
Universal flu vaccine strategy to protect against diverse influenza strains
A research team is testing new vaccine designs aimed at broad protection against many flu strains for people who want lasting immunity.
-
Flu vaccine responses and infection risk in people over 75
This project looks at immune responses to seasonal flu vaccines in adults over 75 to find patterns linked to protection or risk of infection.
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.