Protect older adults from influenza with vaccination and early antivirals

Older adults (aged ≥ 65 years) are at high risk of hospitalisation or death due to influenza. Guidance for the management of influenza in older adults is extremely limited, highlighting a global gap in current clinical understanding. Consensus is that prevention is key for older adults, via vaccination or non-pharmacological interventions. Antivirals should be initiated as soon as possible for patients with severe influenza or high-risk individuals, including older adults. Immunomodulatory therapies are under investigation for the treatment of influenza, but have had little success.