For older people, flu shots should be annual

During the winter months, almost one third of people age 65 and older come down with an acute respiratory infection. Many of those infections are caused by the influenza virus. Often, complications develop—typically lower respiratory tract problems such as acute bronchitis, worsening chronic bronchitis, asthma flares, or pneumonia. These illnesses may require hospitalization.

Flu shots to the rescue
According to Dutch researchers, getting a flu shot (vaccination) each year can reduce by a third an older person’s chances of developing a lower respiratory tract infection during a flu outbreak, at least if the person is relatively healthy. The 6-year study involved more than 26,000 people age 65 and older.

The researchers investigated a person’s risk for a lower respiratory tract infection after either a first flu vaccination or a re-vaccination, compared with a person who had never been vaccinated. Most vaccinations were administered in October or November. Nearly 5,100 of the men and women studied never received a flu vaccination.

Who was helped most
Even during a flu epidemic, a first vaccination did not reduce the risk of contracting a lower respiratory tract infection. The researchers say this may reflect older people’s weaker immune response to vaccination. However, re-vaccination produced a 33% risk reduction in otherwise healthy individuals. In those with such conditions as chronic respiratory disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, or cardiovascular disease, risk was reduced by only 5%.

The study findings indicate that repeated flu vaccinations in people 65 and older are worthwhile. Although the benefit is modest, vaccination is advisable in view of an older individual’s increased risk of hospitalization and/or death from these infections.