Up to one fifth of the general community can be affected by seasonal influenza (flu), an acute respiratory infection, each year. Adults aged 65 years and over who become infected with the flu have a greatly increased risk of complications from influenza compared to younger adults.
Hospitalisation and death as a result of influenza infection is also more common among high-risk groups. Most deaths associated with influenza in Australia tend to occur in older individuals.
The most important intervention to prevent influenza and its complications is annual vaccination. One yearly dose of the flu vaccine for people aged 65 years and over is currently recommended by Australian immunisation guidelines. Providing older adults with the influenza vaccine can reduce the severity of disease, the rate of hospital admission due to influenza and pneumonia, and all-cause mortality.