Effect of influenza vaccination on excess deaths occurring during periods of high circulation of influenza: cohort study in elderly people.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

To estimate the protection against death provided by vaccination against influenza.

Design

Prospective cohort follow up supplemented by weekly national counts of influenza confirmed in the community.

Setting

Primary care.

Participants

24,535 patients aged over 75 years from 73 general practices in Great Britain.

Main outcome measure

Death.

Results

In unvaccinated members of the cohort daily all cause mortality was strongly associated with an index of influenza circulating in the population (mortality ratio 1.16, 95% confidence interval 1.04 to 1.29 at 90th centile of circulating influenza). The association was strongest for respiratory deaths but was also present for cardiovascular deaths. In contrast, in vaccinated people mortality from

SUBMITTER: Armstrong BG 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC517645 | biostudies-literature | 2004 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature