ASTI, Italy, July 19 (UPI) -- Although health organizations urge those over the age of 65 to get yearly flu shots, the vaccinations are only modestly effective, Italian researchers found.
Dr. Daniela Rivetti of the public health department of Asti Italy and colleagues reviewed 71 studies and found that flu shots prevented 45 percent of flu-like illnesses, hospital admissions and flu-related deaths among nursing-home and long-term-care patients.
However, the flu vaccinations prevented only 25 percent of these outcomes in older adults still living in the community, according to Rivetti.
The findings challenge recommendations by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta and others who urge regular flu vaccinations among older adults.
The current recommendations are based in part on tallies of deaths from all causes; however, those who are most likely to get vaccinated are also those most likely to have higher incomes and better healthcare, says Rivetti.
The review, which appears in The Cochrane Library, does suggest vaccinating the elderly in institutions such as nursing homes may be effective.
