93-11-01 Influenza vaccinations cut flu-associated hospital deaths by half


     CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA., Oct. 26 -- Vaccinating high-risk groups,
especially the elderly, against influenza can prevent up to half of
influenza-associated hospital deaths during epidemic periods, according to a
study published in the October 27 issue of the Journal of the American Medical
Association. The study was conducted by Dr. David Fedson, professor of
internal medicine at the University of Virginia, in collaboration with Dr.
Leslie Roos at the Manitoba Centre for Health Policy and Evaluation in
Winnipeg.
     The study team found that influenza vaccination reduces hospital
admissions for pneumonia and influenza by 32 to 39 percent and hospital deaths
by 43 to 65 percent. Influenza vaccination also reduces deaths from all causes
during outbreak periods by 27 to 30 percent.
     The case-control study compared patients' vaccination histories during
two influenza outbreaks (1982-83 and 1985-86) in Manitoba, Canada. The study
used the province's computerized health data base, which provides accurate
health care information for the entire populations. It has proved to be an
extremely useful tool for studying the effects in influenza vaccinations,
Fedson said.
     An estimated 10,000 to 40,000 people die each year in the United States
from influenza-associated illnesses. Of these deaths, 85 percent or more occur
in the elderly.
     Influenza is also associated with increases in hospital admissions.
Excess influenza-associated hospitalizations cut the Medicare program between
$750 million and $1 billion, according to a recent study by the Health Care
Financing Administration (HCFA).
     Dr. David Fedson can be reached at 804-924-1685.


[Submitted by: Charlotte Buttner (cab2j@dmt03.mcc.virginia.edu)
               01 Nov 93 14:12:14 EDT]