NewsChannel 5.com - Nashville, Tennessee - Researchers In Nashville Put Super Flu Shot To Test
NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Vanderbilt University is conducting a study on participants 65 years and older. Researchers said the regular, seasonal flu shot may not be strong enough to protect all older adults.
Retired nurse, Pauline Overdorf, knew she had to roll up her sleeve and help out with a new study for a stronger flu shot.
"Anything that you can do to ensure better health for future generations, I think is a good thing to do," said Overdorf.
Dr. Keipp Talbot said people over the age of 65 just need more help staying healthy.
"The influenza vaccine we currently have works very well in young adults, but we would like something that works better in older adults," said Talbot. "As we get older out immune system fights diseases differently."
The 96 participants at Vanderbilt will either get the regular flu shot or a super dose. Researchers will follow people to see if they come down with the flu.
"If anyone becomes ill during the study, we ask that they come back and we will evaluate them for influenza and take a sample," said Talbot.
The clinical study is for people 65 and older who have not had the seasonal flu shot this year. Vanderbilt still has several openings and is enrolling participants through next week, call 615-343-8010 for more information.
