A new study reported in the Archives of Internal Medicine says that the increased rate of flu vaccinations since the 1980s have not shown any decrease in flu related deaths. In fact such deaths in the over 65s have actually increased.
Researchers from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) looked at more than three decades of U.S. data. They examined flu vaccination rates among elderly individuals as well as their mortality rates. Researcher Lone Simonsen and colleagues found flu-related mortality rates accounted for less than 10% of total winter deaths among elders.
The federal government has recommended annual flu vaccinations for people ages 65 and older. Shortages of flu vaccine 2004/5 caused great anxiety amongst older people.
So does this study suggests that the nation's flu prevention strategy needs to be looked at again? It has been pointed out that this study does not directly compare vaccinated elder vs. unvaccinated elderly. Previous studies that made that comparison found the vaccine decreased the rate of all winter deaths.
The Center for Disease Control (CDC) has reported that about 59 percent of older Americans got shots in 2004, down from 65 percent in 2003. Will we be see this year's shortages showing any increase in overall winter deaths and flu related deaths in elders. Probably not. The research does suggest that we need further research so that government strategy truly reflects need.
Source: National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) 2004
