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Study of the effectiveness of influenza vaccination in the elderly in the epidemic of 1989–90 using a general practice database

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  15 May 2009

D. M. Fleming ,
J. M. Watson ,
S. Nicholas ,
G. E. Smith  and
A. V. Swan
D. M. Fleming
Affiliation:
Birmingham Research Unit of the Royal College of General Practitioners, 54 Lordswood Road, Harborne, Birmingham B17 9DB.
J. M. Watson*
Affiliation:
PHLS Communicable Disease Surveillance Centre, 61 Colindale Avenue, London NW9 5EQ
S. Nicholas
Affiliation:
PHLS Communicable Disease Surveillance Centre, 61 Colindale Avenue, London NW9 5EQ
G. E. Smith
Affiliation:
PHLS Communicable Disease Surveillance Centre, 61 Colindale Avenue, London NW9 5EQ
A. V. Swan
Affiliation:
PHLS Communicable Disease Surveillance Centre, 61 Colindale Avenue, London NW9 5EQ
*
* Author for correspondence and reprint requests.
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Summary

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The effectiveness of influenza vaccination in preventing serious illness and death was determined in an elderly population during the influenza epidemic of 1989–90. A retrospective cohort study was carried out using computerized general practitioner records on nearly 10000 patients aged 55 years and over. After adjustment for potential confounding factors, recent immunization was found to have a protective effect of 75% (95% confidence intervals: 21–92%) against death. Protection did not appear to vary with either age or the presence of underlying chronic disease. As the complications of influenza are most common in those with underlying chronic disease, the study findings are consistent with the recommended policy for the use of influenza vaccine in the UK. Further work is necessary to determine the cost-effectiveness of extending immunization to other groups.

Type
Research Article
Information
Epidemiology & Infection , Volume 115 , Issue 3 , December 1995 , pp. 581 - 589
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1995

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