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INFLUENZA VACCINATION IN HEALTHY ADULTS.

Influenza vaccination is recommended especially for high-risk individuals such as the elderly and those with chronic medical conditions. But what is its impact on healthy adult populations? This study from the University of Minnesota randomized 849 healthy employed people, aged 18 to 64, to receive either influenza vaccine or placebo in October and November 1994. During the next four months, vaccine recipients had 25 percent fewer episodes of upper respiratory illness (URI) than placebo recipients (105 vs. 140 episodes per 100 subjects). In addition, the vaccine group missed 43 percent fewer work days because of URI (70 vs. 122 days per 100 subjects). The study did not document the proportion of URIs that were due to influenza. Comment: Does this mean that all adults should now receive influenza vaccine? Not necessarily. An accompanying editorial notes that the estimated attack rate of at least 35 per 100 (the difference between 105 and 140 episodes) is much higher than that seen in other populations, so we cannot always expect this degree of benefit. Nevertheless, the editorialists believe that more liberal use of influenza vaccine in the general population is justified.

— AS Brett

Published in Journal Watch General Medicine October 10, 1995

Citation(s):

Patriarca PA; Strikas RA. Influenza vaccine for healthy adults?. N Engl J Med 1995 Oct 5 333 933-934.

• Original article (Subscription may be required)
• Medline abstract (Free)

Nichol KL, et al. The effectiveness of vaccination against influenza in healthy, working adults. N Engl J Med 1995 Oct 5 333 889-893.

• Original article (Subscription may be required)
• Medline abstract (Free)