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October 11, 2007
Flu Giddy
I am almost giddy with appreciation to the authors of a study in Lancet, reviewed by Medscape, suggesting that the flu vaccine is overrated for the elderly. Though I still disagree with some of their reasoning, and with their assertion that it is still beneficial for the young, healthy population, it is refreshing that one can still read such a challenge to the prevailing insanity in a prestigious journal.
"In 1960, US policy began targeting influenza vaccination at individuals at high risk for poor outcomes by virtue of chronic comorbid conditions and/or advanced age. Other high-income countries have followed suit, and the World Health Organization has endorsed these policies. From 1980 to the present, vaccination coverage increased from 15% to 65%, but recent excess mortality studies have not documented a corresponding decrease in influenza-related mortality."
To be fair, the authors hold out the possibility that better studies could reveal the benefit to the elderly, as their critics maintain. And perhaps understanding the immune system of the elderly better will lead to better vaccination modalities.
Or perhaps we will find that we have overrated the whole vaccine phenomenon.
| By Robert Maddox | 05:51 PM