The Effect of DHEAS on Influenza Vaccination in Aging Adults

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether simultaneous administration of dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS) exhibits adjuvant activity in the immune response of aging humans by supplementing influenza vaccination with the maximum single dose of DHEAS that could be practically injected subcutaneously (approximately 7.5 mg). DESIGN: A randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled trial of DHEAS injection with 1993–94 and 1994–95 influenza vaccine in older subjects. In addition, initial safety, tolerability, and control testing with 1993–94 influenza vaccine was conducted in young subjects. SETTING: An urban primary care geriatrics clinic. PARTICIPANTS: Seventy‐eight older adult volunteers (mean age 78.61 ± 3.43 years, range 73–90 years) and 20 younger controls (