Flu Vaccinations in Elderly May not be Effective
A new report has been released in which the effectiveness of flu vaccinations is queried. Focusing on their performance within the elderly, the report asserts that no data exists to suggest that yearly flu jabs prevent those involved from contracting significant illnesses in future years.
Those behind the report conceded that flu stood as an "important contributor" towards illnesses including emphysema and bronchitis. However, they added, no marked difference was noticed in the frequency of either condition within those that had had vaccinations, and those who passed on them.
In excess of 15 million people in the UK are set to be immunised against flu in the coming weeks. This figures includes around 75 per cent of those in the country aged 65 or over.
The new report appeared on the website of Vaccine, the medical journal. Although it did not urge for the programme's abandonment, it stressed that its effectiveness could be hyped. Among those involved in the report was Dr Paymane Adab - a lecturer in public health at Birmingham University. Speaking to Pulse, Dr Adab said: "Putting all our efforts into vaccination won't have a major impact on hospital admissions. We should look at other factors like reducing chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, treating chest infections and promoting smoking cessation.
"These are probably going to be more effective."
Doubts Over Pensioner Flu Jab's Effectiveness
The report assessed 3,970 pensioners aged from 65 up to 89 - making a comparison between those had been hospitalised, and if, prior to this, they had been immunised against flu. Even when factors such as age, gender and severity of illness had been taken into account, the researchers discovered hospitalisations for emphysema and bronchitis were just as probable.
Consequently, said those behind the report, common consensus on the performance of the flu vaccine in pensioners was "likely to be overestimated". They added: "solely relying on the influenza vaccine to control the annual winter bed pressure in hospitals is unlikely to be a sufficiently effective yearly strategy."
The Health Protection Agency's Jeremy Hawker, was another contributor to the report. He stated:"Of the elderly people who became ill with an acute respiratory infection, not just flu, in the winter, the ones that ended up in hospital were no less likely to have been vaccinated than those who were successfully treated in primary care.
"We therefore suggested that there is a need to think of additional measures in this particular group to reduce winter pressures in NHS hospitals. However, this does not negate the need for influenza vaccine, as other studies show benefits in reducing both infection and subsequent mortality in the elderly."
Commenting on the report, Pulse's editor, Jo Haynes, said: "Each year, GPs face weeks of frantically busy flu clinics to make sure everyone eligible is vaccinated. It's a stressful and extremely expensive business, and doctors and patients need to know the whole process is worthwhile.
"It's time ministers took notice of the growing doubts over flu vaccination and commissioned a large-scale trial to sort out once and for all whether it works."
The initial vaccine against flu was formulated during World War 2 - its widespread use having been recommended by the Government now for around 40 years. The current programme, whereby pensioners are vaccinated, commenced seven years ago.
Source - Pharmaceutical International's Health Reporter
