American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM) Certification Practice Exam

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Prepare for the ABIM Certification Exam with multiple choice questions and detailed explanations. Strengthen understanding with flashcards, hints, and thorough review materials. Ace your test!

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Which flu vaccine has been shown to be more effective in older adults compared to the standard-dose vaccine?

  1. Quadrivalent flu vaccine

  2. High-dose trivalent flu vaccine

  3. Live attenuated influenza vaccine

  4. Standard-dose quadrivalent flu vaccine

The correct answer is: High-dose trivalent flu vaccine

The high-dose trivalent flu vaccine has been demonstrated to be more effective in older adults when compared to the standard-dose vaccine. This is particularly relevant because older adults are at a higher risk of severe influenza-related complications and deaths. The high-dose version contains four times the antigen amount compared to the standard-dose, which enhances the immune response in this age group. Clinical studies have shown that older adults receiving the high-dose vaccine have a significantly reduced risk of influenza infection and related complications, leading to better overall health outcomes during flu season. Other options do not offer the same level of effectiveness for older adults. The quadrivalent flu vaccine, although beneficial, does not have the enhanced antigen content to boost immunity in the same way as the high-dose trivalent vaccine does. The live attenuated influenza vaccine is generally not recommended for older adults due to concerns about efficacy and safety in this population. The standard-dose quadrivalent vaccine, while effective for younger populations, does not provide the same level of protective benefit for older individuals as the high-dose trivalent vaccine.