Everything you need to know about the enhanced flu vaccine

Enhanced flu vaccines for people aged 65 and over: better protection against severe flu

Every year, older adults are particularly affected by flu. That’s why European experts and the Belgian Superior Health Council recommend that everyone aged 65 and over get vaccinated with an enhanced flu vaccine during the 2025–2026 flu season.

These enhanced vaccines — also called high-dose or adjuvanted vaccines — trigger a stronger immune response in older people. This means better protection against hospitalisation and serious complications such as heart problems or worsening of existing conditions.

Why an enhanced flu vaccine?

As we age, our immune system responds less effectively to vaccines. This means that a regular flu shot works less well in people over 65. Enhanced vaccines help to compensate for this. They contain either:

a higher amount of the active ingredient (antigen), or

an added adjuvant (such as MF-59) that boosts the immune response.

In Belgium, the available enhanced flu vaccines are:

Efluelda® (high-dose flu vaccine)

Fluad® (adjuvanted flu vaccine)

Studies show that these vaccines significantly reduce the risk of flu and its complications in older adults.

Flu is not harmless

Flu can have serious consequences in older adults.

90% of flu-related deaths occur in people over 65.

About half of all flu-related hospitalisations involve this age group.

Flu can cause not only respiratory problems, but also:

heart failure or heart attack,

stroke,

worsening of diabetes or other chronic diseases,

long-term loss of independence.

The connection with flu is often not recognised, which means the risk is underestimated.

Safe and effective

Enhanced flu vaccines have been thoroughly studied and are safe. Some people may experience temporary mild side effects such as pain or redness at the injection site, but serious side effects are rare.

Important: get vaccinated

Vaccination is the best protection against flu and its complications. Yet, no European country has reached the target vaccination rate of 75% among older adults.
Research shows that even a 1% increase in vaccination coverage can save dozens of lives.

So:

If you have questions, make an appointment at mijnhuisarts.gent

Get your flu shot every year in autumn (from October onwards).

Protect yourself and those around you.