There is growing concern that the vaccines against COVID-19 may not remain as effective in older persons as in the younger age group. The reason is attributed to inflammation, inhibiting the immune system, resulting from the wear and tear of the body’s cells as one ages. Anti-inflammation and antiageing drugs are under development, even as nanobodies have been successfully developed to neutralise the spike protein in Delta and other variants.

    “She looks much younger than her given age”.

    “He looks quite old though he is young”.

   Such comments hide a basic biological fact: our chronological age is different from the biological age; the difference shows up in sagged skin, impaired hearing and weak joints. But above all, there is a difference in the strength of the immune system. This results in ‘inflammation” in the immune system.

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