The article investigates approaches to reducing the incidence of acute respiratory viral infections among elderly patients. According to the author, in comparison with young people, respiratory viral infection in people over 65 years of age is associated with increased morbidity and mortality. Elderly patients may have severe lower respiratory tract infections, pneumonia, or exacerbation of chronic multimorbid conditions. Additional problems arise due to the fact that elderly patients often do not have fever or respiratory symptoms, but have atypical symptoms, including weakness, confusion and falls. This leads to a failure in diagnosis, an increase in morbidity, the appointment of additional drugs and further nosocomial spread. Currently, it is necessary to introduce sensitive and rapid diagnostics at the place of medical care to detect all viruses and treat infected elderly patients. This will make it easier to understand the true burden of respiratory viruses. To protect the aging immune system, it is now important to combine this with the development of expanded vaccination strategies and new antiviral therapeutics