Flu Vaccinations
27 Oct 2006
Commenting on today’s BMJ
paper (27.10.06 - Influenza vaccination: policy versus
evidence. Jefferson T. Volume 333. pp912-915), Professor
Mayur Lakhani, RCGP Chairman, said:
“From our work at the RCGP Birmingham Research
Unit, which has pioneered research in this area, there is no doubt
that influenza vaccination of the elderly and those suffering
co-morbidity is effective and important in preventing the more
serious effects of flu. We are therefore unreserved in supporting
current vaccination policy.
“We anticipate that this piece of research
from a Cochrane review group will be carefully considered and
reviewed by the immunisation authorities in due course. This is a
complex issue and we agree that there is need for further research.
However absence of good quality research evidence may not
necessarily equate to lack of evidence of effectiveness.
“Until there is a conclusive settlement of the
issue, we would urge that the national flu immunisation programme
continues and that patients come forward for the vaccine
particularly with the advent of winter.
“One area which calls for further research
concerns the impact of other respiratory virus disorders which have
caused confusion and which in some cases have caused the benefits
of vaccination to be overestimated.”
Ends
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