Control of Influenza in the Long-Term–Care Facility: A Review of Established Approaches and Newer Options

Abstract

Influenza infections pose a serious threat to residents of nursing homes and other long-term–care facilities. Annual vaccination of residents and staff with the currently licensed inactivated influenza vaccine continues to be the mainstay of prevention. Live attenuated influenza vaccine, which is expected to be licensed in the United States in the near future, may offer added protection for elderly persons when administered in conjunction with inactivated vaccine. Antiviral agents also can be useful as an adjunct to vaccination, especially for control of institutional outbreaks. Two new antiviral agents that appear to be less toxic than amantadine and rimantadine have recently been approved.