Influenza Vaccine (In)effectiveness

[Guest guest]

Hi folks:

The first-named author of the Vitamin D paper is J.J. Cannell. I am

on his newsletter email list. The following is an excerpt from the

most recent issue:

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" ... A recent meta-analysis in the British journal, the Lancelet,

concluded, " In elderly individuals living in the community,

(influenza) vaccines were not significantly effective against

influenza, influenza-like illness, or pneumonia. " The authors

concluded the overall effect of flu shots is " modest, " at

best. " Modest " is a complicated medical term that means " not much. "

Edwin Kilbourne, the grandfather and reigning godfather of American

influenzologists said it better, " The effect of current vaccination

programs on morbidity is insignificant, and that on mortality

marginal. "

Jefferson T, Rivetti D, Rivetti A, Rudin M, Di Pietrantonj C,

Demicheli V.

Efficacy and effectiveness of influenza vaccines in elderly people: a

systematic review.

Lancet. 2005 Oct 1;366(9492):1165-74.

Kilbourne E. Influenza. 1987, Plenum Press, New York, p. 291 "

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I have not read the referenced paper. I assume it supports the point

made.

Rodney.