Flu shots overrated for elderly
2007-09-25 16:04:07.078948+02 by Dan Lyke 0 comments
NIH study says that benefits of flu shots to those over 70 are exaggerated.
It is precisely that success that has led disease control experts in recent years to question the value of the vaccine. With such a large increase in immunization rates, a drop in flu deaths among the elderly would have been expected. But several studies have failed to show any such reduction.
So... uh... maybe the whole "public health, rising vaccination rates are good" thing is conflated a little bit with the "our cronies in the drug business need the sales"? Actually the truth is probably that there just isn't as much immune system to get all riled up by the vaccine in those over 70.