The authors caution that, without more inclusion of older adults, any potential COVID-19 vaccine’s effectiveness, use, and adverse effects may not be fully realized or understood.

“Some have argued that only vaccination of younger populations is needed to achieve herd immunity (67% level of immunity), and therefore, vaccination of older adults is not essential,” the authors write. “However, the high level of immunity required, coupled with the fact that many settings (eg, nursing homes) are comprised nearly exclusively of older adults, highlights the imperative for their inclusion in COVID-19 vaccine trials.”