Universityof Minnesota researchers reveal flu shots not as effective once believed
This may shock Americans that line up each year to receive one in hopes of ridding themselves of getting the flu. On, other hand this may just enforce those Americans who believe these flu shots should not be obtained for various reasons.
This new research which has been published online by the Lancet Infectious Diseases have discovered this vaccine has only prevented illness in 59% of adults age range from 18 to 64 and in eight of the twelve seasons examined.
Researchers also note that the evidence for effectiveness was especially deficient in children age range two to seventeen and in countries which are particularly defenseless to the flu such as the elderly over 65 year of age.
Dr. Michael Osterholm, PhD, MPH, infectious disease specialist at the university had remarked that they had found the flu vaccine among Americans to be 59% effective in healthy adults. Previous reports had rated the vaccines effectiveness between seventy and ninety percent.
Dr. Osterholm had remarked that this means we are stuck with a vaccine which has been in existence for around sixty years and has not changed much. Dr. Osterholm emphasized the need for a new generation of flu shots especially in the face of future a widespread event.
Children and adults aged over 65 are most at risk for flu related illness and death. There is lacking in information as to how well the vaccine works in these two groups.
For the study Dr. Osterholm and associates had included 31 previously published studies, 17 randomized controlled studies, 14 observational studies which had been selected based on strict design criteria. Combining information from various studies researchers did discover the H1N1 vaccine had been slightly more effective than the seasonal flu shot. The H1N1 had prevented infection in 69% of adults under the age of 65. Nasal spray vaccine which contained weakened live flu virus had been more effective by protecting 83% of children under the age of seven.
A study conducted by researchers at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill had discovered that the vaccine could very well be less effective than previously believed in obese and overweight people. Around 11 months after receiving the shot had worn off by a factor of four in twice as many overweight people by 50% in comparison to health people at 25%.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention based on their recently unpublished information show estimates that the vaccine is 60% effective; however, this is based on all groups.
Dr. Osterholm is not claiming that there is a need for the current vaccine noting that the common view that the vaccines are “good enough” slows down the developing of novel therapies.
Experts still feel that having a regular flu shot is much better than not having one. They not that it may not stop all influenza infections however, it may aide in prevention of illnesses, hospitalizations and even death. The vaccine is recommended for all persons over the age of six months.
This latest evidence by far will be fueling the long held debate over the vaccine. This also gives a plus to the younger doctors who recently have been noted just recently in their belief that the shots were not as effective as believed. Looks like science has just proven their view point.
Flu vaccinations in Detroit:
Rite Aid Pharmacy
4612 Woodward Avenue
313-832-3247
And
3456 East Jefferson Avenue
313-259-6520
Rite Aid also offers other immunizations including Hepatitis A and B, Pneumonia, Shingles, Tetanus and more. See the full listing of vaccinations and information about the diseases and viruses you can view their website at Rite Aid.
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