Two types of enhanced flu vaccines may be more effective than the standard flu vaccines in preventing cases of flu or flu-related hospitalisation in people aged 65 years and older, according to a HIQA study.
Enhanced vaccines contain higher doses and extra ingredients to boost their effectiveness.
But the assessment also found that some of the enhanced vaccines are associated with a higher risk of certain side effects, like headache, pain at the injection site or fever, compared with standard flu vaccines, however these reactions are usually mild and short-lived.
It also said there is substantial uncertainty in relation to the cost of these vaccines to the HSE and whether a switch would represent a good use of Health Service Executive resources would depend on the price relative to the price of a standard flu vaccine.
The Health Quality and Information Authority said that flu vaccines are generally safe and well tolerated and that serious side effects are rare with both standard and enhanced flu vaccines.
HIQA undertook the assessment at the request of the Department of Health to inform the Minister for Health's decision on funding a potential switch by the HSE from a standard to an enhanced flu vaccine for this age group.
The HSE winter vaccination campaign started recently with the standard flu vaccine.
