Older adults' flu vaccines: comparing high-dose and MF59-adjuvanted vaccines
Official title: Systems investigation of vaccine responses in aging and frailty
Funded at Yale University · NIH-11357635 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Researchers will compare how two flu vaccines perform in older adults living in nursing homes or receiving home-based care, to see which triggers a stronger immune response.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Yale University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New Haven, United States) |
| Project start | July 12, 2010 |
| Project end | April 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $516,413 |
| NIH project number | 5U19AI089992-15 |
| Project ID | NIH-11357635 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Older adults (65+) in nursing homes or homebound primary care settings who are receiving influenza vaccination.
✕Less likely to help
Healthy younger adults without aging-related frailty or those not receiving vaccines for study purposes may not directly benefit.
What this research studies
This project will enroll adults over 65 living in nursing homes or receiving home-based care, plus a younger adult comparison group. Participants receive either the high-dose unadjuvanted flu vaccine or the MF59-adjuvanted standard-dose vaccine. The study will examine immune, gene expression, and protein changes after vaccination to understand why responses differ by age. This builds on established collaborations with Yale geriatrics experts and care facilities. Findings could guide better vaccination choices for older adults at risk from influenza.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the work could inform which vaccine provides stronger protection for older adults, potentially reducing flu-related illness and hospitalizations.
How similar studies have gone: Prior research has shown age-related differences in vaccine responses; this study extends known work by directly comparing two vaccines in a frail elderly population.
Where this research is happening
-
Yale University
New Haven, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Shaw, Albert C — Yale University
- Study coordinator: Shaw, Albert C
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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.