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Abstract/Summary
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It is with great pleasure that we provide this commentary with a focus on influenza vaccination for an expert consensus entitled “Recommendations for influenza and Streptococcus pneumoniae vaccination in elderly people in China” to be published in this issue of Aging Medicine.1 Influenza is a major global public health burden with pandemic threat. Seasonal influenza infection is responsible for 3‐5 million severe illness cases and 290 000‐650 000 respiratory deaths annually worldwide.2, 3 According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), influenza affects 5%‐20% of the population each year in the United States.4 It is estimated that influenza causes 226 000 excess hospitalizations, 25 000‐69 000 deaths, and US $87 billion excess health‐care cost with over 600 000 life‐years lost annually.5, 6 Among all infectious diseases, influenza is foremost in its age‐related increase in serious complications, leading to hospitalization, catastrophic disability, and death in older adults.7, 8 Moreover, influenza frequently causes exacerbation of many chronic conditions that are common in older adults, including cardiovascular diseases,9, 10 further indirectly impacting senior health and mortality. In fact, over 90% of influenza‐related mortality occurs in persons aged over 65 years.11 In the United States, influenza and its secondary pneumonia are the fourth leading cause of death in this population.12 Therefore, prevention and treatment of influenza in older adults have become a major public health priority.
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