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Flu Shots' Benefit Varies Among Elderly
((NY, Reuters Health, 10/12/06)
Based on more than 59,000 flu shots given to almost 21,000
patients at Erasmus University Medical Center in Rotterdam
from 1996 to 2002, Dr. Bettie C. G. Voordouw and team
determined that the vaccinations seemed to lower the risk of
respiratory infections for healthy seniors during years with
mild to moderate influenza epidemics, but not for those who
had pre-existing illnesses. They concluded that flu vaccines
had a protective effect against pneumonia, acute bronchitis or
exacerbation of chronic bronchitis only for otherwise healthy
seniors.
(Archives of Internal Medicine, October 9,
2006) |
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