VA doctors from Minneapolis found that vaccinated elderly patients are less likely to be hospitalized for complications of the flu, such as pneumonia, cardiac disease and stroke. The researchers, led by Dr. Kristin L. Nichol, also found fewer deaths from all causes among patients who had received flu shots. They conducted their study as VA raised the vaccination rate among its patients from 61 percent in 1997 to 78 percent in 2000.
"This study provides additional evidence that VA is assertively acting to raise the quality of care throughout its health care system," said Dr. Nelda P. Wray, VA's Chief Research and Development Officer. "It also builds upon previous research that shows flu vaccination is an effective and inexpensive way to improve health care."
Influenza-associated deaths in the United States have risen significantly in the last two decades. Approximately 90 percent of those deaths occur among the elderly, but the flu vaccination rate in 2001 was only 63 percent for persons 65 and over, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Nichol and colleagues studied the records for more than 286,000 men and women, 65 or older, in three large managed-care organizations during the 1998-99 and 1999-2000 flu seasons. More than half of each group had been immunized. On average, the immunized persons were older, had worse overall health and had previously used health care more often.
During the 1998-99 season, patients receiving vaccinations were 48 percent less likely to die than those who were not immunized. The vaccinated group also was 32 percent less likely to develop pneumonia, 19 percent less likely to be hospitalized for cardiac care and 16 percent less likely to suffer a stroke.
During the 1999-2000 season, vaccinated patients were 50 percent less likely to die than those who were not immunized. The vaccinated group was 29 percent less likely to have pneumonia, 23 percent less likely to suffer a stroke and 19 percent less likely to be hospitalized for cardiac care.
"This is very good news to find even greater life-saving benefits in something as simple, safe, effective and inexpensive as a flu shot," said Nichol. "We not only saw a reduction in cardiac and stroke hospitalizations, but an overall reduction in deaths from all sources." Nichol noted that the study confirmed previous VA research showing that flu shots reduce the risk of deaths from causes during the flu season. According to the CDC, flu affects between 10 and 20 percent of Americans each year. Approximately 114,000 people require hospitalization, and about 36,000 people die from the flu each year.
The study was funded by the National Vaccine Program Office and the CDC through an agreement with the American Association of Health Plans.
For additional information, please contact: Linda Duffy, public affairs officer at the Minneapolis VA Medical Center, at 612-725-2000, x2012.
Journal
New England Journal of Medicine