Useless flu vaccine program

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>From HealthMall today:

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Medical Journal Author Questions Benefits of Flu Vaccine

There is no proof that Ontario's $38-million universal flu vaccine program

has had

any impact in limiting the spread of the illness, a leading epidemiologist

says.

Dr. Vittorio Demicheli, head of the regional epidemiology unit in

Alessandria, Italy,

says that claims about the cost effectiveness of widespread vaccination are

dubious and the stated aim of the program, to ease pressure on emergency

rooms

during flu season, is illusory.

" There is absolutely no evidence that universal vaccination has ever

achieved such

a goal, " he writes in today's edition of the Canadian Medical Association

Journal.

Last year, Ontario became one of the first jurisdictions in the world to

attempt to

vaccinate all its citizens against the flu. (Most Western countries target

the elderly

and those with chronic illnesses. The United States initially suggested that

everyone over age 50 get a shot, but backed off when supplies fell short.)

When the Ontario program was launched, the government issued a

cost-effectiveness study that said each vaccination would save the health

system

$40.

" I wonder whether the program should, instead, serve as a warning to other

governments. The 'Let's see what happens' approach to public health should

not

be emulated, " Dr. Demicheli writes.

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Best of Health!

Dr. Saul Pressman, DCh