Immunogenicity and safety of a quadrivalent high-dose inactivated influenza vaccine compared with a standard-dose quadrivalent influenza vaccine in healthy people aged 60 years or older: a randomized Phase III trial

A quadrivalent high-dose inactivated influenza vaccine (IIV4-HD) is licensed for adults >= 65 y of age based on immunogenicity and efficacy studies. However, IIV4-HD has not been evaluated in adults aged 60-64 y. This study compared immunogenicity and safety of IIV4-HD with a standard-dose quadrivalent influenza vaccine (IIV4-SD) in adults aged >= 60 y. This Phase III, randomized, modified double-blind, active-controlled study enrolled 1,528 participants aged >= 60 y, randomized 1:1 to a single injection of IIV4-HD or IIV4-SD. Hemagglutination inhibition (HAI) geometric mean titers (GMTs) were measured at baseline and D 28 and seroconversion assessed. Safety was described for 180 d after vaccination. The primary immunogenicity objective was superiority of IIV4-HD versus IIV4-SD, for all four influenza strains 28 d post vaccination in participants aged 60-64 and >= 65 y. IIV4-HD induced a superior immune response versus IIV4-SD in terms of GMTs in participants aged 60-64 y and those aged >= 65 y for all four influenza strains. IIV4-HD induced higher GMTs in those aged 60-64 y than those aged >= 65 y. Seroconversion rates were higher for IIV4-HD versus IIV4-SD in each age-group for all influenza strains. Both vaccines were well tolerated in participants >= 60 y of age, with no safety concerns identified. More solicited reactions were reported with IIV4-HD than with IIV4-SD. IIV4-HD provided superior immunogenicity versus IIV4-SD and was well tolerated in adults aged >= 60 y. IIV4-HD is assumed to offer improved protection against influenza compared with IIV4-SD in adults aged >= 60 y, as was previously assessed for adults aged >= 65 y.

Automated summary

In adults aged 60 and older, the quadrivalent high-dose inactivated influenza vaccine (IIV4-HD) showed superior immunogenicity compared to the standard-dose quadrivalent influenza vaccine (IIV4-SD), particularly against all four influenza strains. Both vaccines were well-tolerated in this age group, with no safety concerns identified.