Anderson et al.: "The Effect of Influenza Vaccination for the Elderly on Hospitalization and Mortality, An Observational Study With a Regression Discontinuity Design"
by Paul Alexander
The data included 170 million episodes of care and 7.6 million deaths; no evidence indicated that vaccination reduced hospitalizations or mortality among elderly persons.
‘Adults aged 55 to 75 years residing in the study area during 2000 to 2014.
England and Wales.
Observational study design.
Hospitalization and mortality rates by month of age.
The data included 170 million episodes of care and 7.6 million deaths. Turning 65 was associated with a statistically and clinically significant increase in rate of seasonal influenza vaccination. However, no evidence indicated that vaccination reduced hospitalizations or mortality among elderly persons. The estimates were precise enough to rule out results from many previous studies.
Current vaccination strategies prioritizing elderly persons may be less effective than believed at reducing serious morbidity and mortality in this population, which suggests that supplementary strategies may be necessary.’
