Grant: Operating Grant

Influenza is associated with an increased risk of complications in the elderly. A decrease in immune function occurs with age and, as a result, influenza vaccinations are less effective in the elderly at preventing disease. Adjuvants are substances that promote immune responses. In pre-clinical work we have demonstrated that applying adjuvants called TLR7/8 agonists onto the overlying skin leads to improved immune responses to vaccines given by standard injection (into muscle). We wish to examine the effect of the application of such an adjuvant upon the immune responses to influenza vaccination in the elderly.