Just in case you think the flu vaccine is fantastic and cost effective - be careful it has problems.
Unfortunately the European version is better.
A SLUMP in the effectiveness of the influenza vaccine in 2012 has highlighted the ongoing complexities in developing vaccines say Australian experts, with one expert calling for a “mature debate” regarding the vaccine’s effectiveness and use.
A test-negative study of effectiveness of the 2012 influenza vaccine in 1414 general practice patients from around Australia found overall adjusted vaccine effectiveness (VE) of 23% (95% CI, − 4% to 43%), which the authors described as “modestly protective”.
(1)
The study, published in the
MJA, analysed data collected by the Australian Sentinel Practices Research Network.
Professor Heath Kelly, head of epidemiology at Victorian Infectious Diseases Reference Laboratory, said the low level of effectiveness for the 2012 flu season was consistent with other studies in Australia and internationally, but methodological issues with the study were likely to have also contributed to the very low point estimate.
