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Older adults with chronic lung disease who got a high-dose flu shot were hospitalized significantly less for flu and pneumonia than those who received a standard dose, new research shows. The study, presented at the European Respiratory Society International Congress, found an 8.8% reduction in hospital admissions — offering reassurance for one of flu season's most vulnerable groups.
Older adults with chronic lung disease — including asthma, COPD, bronchiectasis, and cystic fibrosis — face a higher risk of serious flu complications. Now, a large randomized study offers good news: a high-dose influenza vaccine (containing four times the active ingredient of a standard shot) significantly reduced hospitalizations for flu, pneumonia, and other cardiorespiratory conditions in this vulnerable group.
The FLUNITY-HD study drew on data from Denmark (three flu seasons, 2022–2025) and Galicia, Spain (two flu seasons, 2023–2025). Researchers tracked hospitalizations starting 14 days post-vaccination through the end of each European flu season.
By the Numbers:
Why it matters: Even modest reductions in hospitalizations carry real weight — for patients, families, and strained healthcare systems. Researchers say these findings support prioritizing high-dose flu vaccines for older adults with chronic lung disease when shaping vaccination guidelines.
