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The above referenced studies point out that the influenza vaccine has not been proven to be more effective than placebo in the elderly, which is one of the grou

The above referenced studies point out that the influenza vaccine has not been proven to be more effective than placebo in the elderly, which is one of the groups that CDC thinks it would be immoral to give a placebo.

carbocation 17y ago
Can you clarify which "above referenced studies" you are talking about? From the same site that you pointed me to (CDC), I find this page http://www.cdc.gov/flu/about/qa/vaccineeffect.htm http://www.cdc.gov/flu/about/qa/vaccineeffect.htm stating "How effective is the seasonal flu vaccine in the elderly? ... the seasonal flu shot is 30%-70% effective in preventing hospitalization for pneumonia (a lung infection) and influenza ... In past studies among elderly nursing home residents, the seasonal flu shot was most effective in preventing severe illness and complications that may follow flu (like pneumonia), and deaths related to the flu. In this population, the shot can be 50%-60% effective in preventing hospitalization or pneumonia, and 80% effective in preventing death from the flu." Now, that is not a study itself, but a summary of prior studies. If you think the CDC has formed an improper conclusion, that's fine. Here is the Cochrane review on the effectiveness of vaccines in the elderly: http://www.cochrane.org/reviews/en/ab004876.html http://www.cochrane.org/reviews/en/ab004876.html The summary: "In long-term care facilities, where vaccination is most effective against complications, the aims of the vaccination campaign are fulfilled, at least in part. However, according to reliable evidence the usefulness of vaccines in the community is modest. The apparent high effectiveness of the vaccines in preventing death from all causes may reflect a baseline imbalance in health status and other systematic differences in the two groups of participants." In other words, like I said, the vaccine doesn't work all that well - but despite its relatively modest effectiveness, it is still of great importance in the very age group that you singled out as not receiving benefit.
- gregwebs 17y ago
  The last sentence of that Cochrane review summary points out that no randomized controlled trials have been done, and that the benefit to the elderly may reflect the lack of randomization. The second doi study cited is a study to look at that selection bias, and actually found that the entirety of the protective effect could be due to the bias. This makes it difficult to conclude that the influenza vaccine has any effectiveness in the elderly.

carbocation 17y ago

Can you clarify which "above referenced studies" you are talking about? From the same site that you pointed me to (CDC), I find this page http://www.cdc.gov/flu/about/qa/vaccineeffect.htm http://www.cdc.gov/flu/about/qa/vaccineeffect.htm stating "How effective is the seasonal flu vaccine in the elderly? ... the seasonal flu shot is 30%-70% effective in preventing hospitalization for pneumonia (a lung infection) and influenza ... In past studies among elderly nursing home residents, the seasonal flu shot was most effective in preventing severe illness and complications that may follow flu (like pneumonia), and deaths related to the flu. In this population, the shot can be 50%-60% effective in preventing hospitalization or pneumonia, and 80% effective in preventing death from the flu." Now, that is not a study itself, but a summary of prior studies. If you think the CDC has formed an improper conclusion, that's fine. Here is the Cochrane review on the effectiveness of vaccines in the elderly: http://www.cochrane.org/reviews/en/ab004876.html http://www.cochrane.org/reviews/en/ab004876.html The summary: "In long-term care facilities, where vaccination is most effective against complications, the aims of the vaccination campaign are fulfilled, at least in part. However, according to reliable evidence the usefulness of vaccines in the community is modest. The apparent high effectiveness of the vaccines in preventing death from all causes may reflect a baseline imbalance in health status and other systematic differences in the two groups of participants." In other words, like I said, the vaccine doesn't work all that well - but despite its relatively modest effectiveness, it is still of great importance in the very age group that you singled out as not receiving benefit.

gregwebs 17y ago
The last sentence of that Cochrane review summary points out that no randomized controlled trials have been done, and that the benefit to the elderly may reflect the lack of randomization. The second doi study cited is a study to look at that selection bias, and actually found that the entirety of the protective effect could be due to the bias. This makes it difficult to conclude that the influenza vaccine has any effectiveness in the elderly.