Mobile UPI  |   About UPI  |   UPI en Español  |   UPI Arabic  |   UPIU  |   My Account
Search:
Go

Flu shot reduces hospitalizations

|
|
 
  
Published: Nov. 26, 2008 at 6:04 PM

HOLLYWOOD, Fla., Nov. 26 (UPI) -- A U.S. study suggests that influenza vaccinations can help reduce the risk of hospitalizations in patients with chronic conditions, researchers said.

Dr. Marsha Moore, senior vice president of medical Affairs at CVS Caremark, said that the study monitored the impact of influenza vaccination on subsequent hospitalization rates for all participants.

The study said that for chronic disease patients who received the influenza vaccine there was a 19 percent reduction in hospitalization for all causes and a 24 percent reduction in flu and pneumonia-related hospitalizations.

The researchers evaluated 19,908 participants enrolled in a comprehensive common chronic disease management program. The subjects were selected from a continuously enrolled population of all ages -- all of whom were predetermined to have one of a number of chronic conditions including asthma, diabetes, coronary artery disease, heart failure or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Investigators assessed hospital visits in 2006, and the vaccinated and non-vaccinated groups had equal distributions of gender, age and chronic conditions. The presence of influenza vaccine was derived from self-reported patient data as well as medical claims.

By reducing the number of hospitalizations and overall risks of complications the appropriate use of the influenza vaccination could result in a number of benefits for patients, and even lower the costs of care for those who receive the vaccination, Moore said.

The findings were presented at the annual meeting of DMAA: The Care Continuum Alliance in Hollywood, Fla.

Recommended Stories
© 2008 United Press International, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Any reproduction, republication, redistribution and/or modification of any UPI content is expressly prohibited without UPI's prior written consent.

Order reprints
  
Join the conversation
Most Popular Collections
Protesters, police clash at NATO summit Notable deaths of 2012 2012 Billboard Music Awards
The 137th Preakness Stakes Annual Solar eclipse occurs in U.S. Chen Guangcheng arrives in the U.S.
Additional Health News Stories
1 of 29
Members of the Army's Old Guard place flags at Arlington National Ceremtery
View Caption
U.S. flags are seen in the rucksack of a soldier with the Army's 3d U.S. Infantry Regiment, The Old Guard, as he places flags at gravesites in Arlington National Cemetery as part of the Flags-In Memorial Day ceremony on May 24, 2012 in Arlington, Virginia. American flags were placed at each of the more than 220,000 grave markers in honor of those who served and Memorial Day. UPI/Kevin Dietshc
fark
Daily Show writer partners with Slate to crowdsource ideas for amending and rewriting the Constitution....
Canada's national archives is being dismantled and scattered, who needs to remember the history...
Man disappears in Niagara Falls whirlpool; presumed to be spinning in his grave
Woman swallows toothbrush while brushing her teeth. Surgeons remove it before Oral B becomes Anal...
MSNBC Host Chris Hayes: I'm 'Uncomfortable' calling fallen military 'Heroes'
What do you REALLY know about the Queen?