Flu Shots for Seniors May Not Be As Effective As Once Thought

Do you get a flu shot annually in hopes of warding off the flu or even worse pneumonia? Another study released recently has shown flu shots to not be as effective as once thought in the elderly. The study, conducted by a team of researchers for the Group Health Center for Health Studies, through three flu seasons, did not find a link between the flu vaccination and the risk for pneumonia. The study was recently published in The Lancet journal.

The lead researcher Michael L. Jackson stated "In seniors, flu vaccine was not linked to a reduced risk of pneumonia." However, he still recommends getting an annual flu shot because based on several random studies, the shot still seems to be effective in healthier seniors and helps to reduce their chances of influenza. Jackson feels some of the earlier studies may have exaggerated how well the vaccine worked in preventing influenza.

The study was conducted based on over 3,500 seniors over the age of 65 who were properly vaccinated. Data was collected and compared between two different groups. One group of 1,173 seniors who had developed pneumonia and the other group of 2,346 seniors were pneumonia free. The researchers found that over the three flu seasons studied, those seniors who were vaccinated and developed the flu were just as likely to develop pneumonia as those who avoided the flu shot and got the flu. Scientists had originally thought the vaccine had a success rate of preventing pneumonia between 20 and 30 percent, but this research suggests that it is only around 5 to 10 percent. Older adults who suffer from chronic conditions, such as diabetes, and heart or lung disease seem to be even less likely to benefit from the flu shot.

In the U.S., 90 percent of the 36,000 who die from the flu annually are seniors. This is mainly because seniors are more susceptible to viruses. Dr. Pascal James Imperato, of the Downstate Medical Center in New York City, stated: "We know that elderly people do not form sufficient antibodies to certain vaccines, the flu vaccine included. In addition, people in their 70s and 80s and 90s are more prone to pneumonia with or without influence. A number of these pneumonias may be secondary to other causes aside from influenza."

The flu, also known as human influenza, is responsible for 200,000 hospitalizations each year and for $10 billion in health care costs in the U.S. The flu is a viral infection found in the nose, throat and lungs and may cause fever, headache, muscle aches, cough, runny or stuffy nose, more tired than normal and sore throat. Majority of people who contract the flu feel better in a week or two but for some it may lead to pneumonia. Some groups are at great risks of the flu, those include, children from 6 to 59 months, all adults over age 65, all women who are or may become pregnant during flu season, those in nursing homes or long-term care facilities, anyone with long term health issues, children from six months to eighteen who are receiving chronic aspirin therapy, health care working who are in direct contact with patients, and those around children less than six months old.

Continue your yearly ritual of getting the flu vaccine. Vaccines are still very important even though the new study may show that the vaccination is less effective in older adults, who are more prone to the virus. The flu shot still has the possibility of preventing influenza. If there is a chance to prevent your loved ones from becoming ill, don't you think it is important? Yes, and doctors recommend everyone to continue getting vaccinated, before flu season, if possible.