Vaccination benefit for elderly may have been overestimated

Reported by Susan Aldridge, PhD, medical journalist

Although the rate of vaccination for influenza among the elderly has increased in recent years, data shows there is no impact on mortality.
Having influenza can be a serious matter for older people, particularly if they already have heart or lung disease. That is why there's been a drive to increase vaccination against influenza among older people.

Researchers at the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases in the US now say that there has been no obvious benefit from vaccination for influenza among the elderly. This is despite vaccination rates going up from 20 per cent before 1980 to 65 per cent in 2001. This doesn't mean there is no benefit in vaccination. It may relate to whether those who may benefit most are being vaccinated. This is important because there has been a shortage of vaccine this season and there have been conflicting opinions on whether or not this will have an impact on mortality. Clearly, more research is needed on the benefit of vaccination against influenza in elderly people.

Source
Archives on Internal Medicine 14th February 2005 Volume 165 pages 265-272