Question:
If I am a healthy adult working in a healthcare system which takes care of elderly patients, does getting a flu shot reduce my chances of getting my patients sick from the flu?
Answer:
No
MedHead Confidence Score: 4
Amount Saved: $35 cost of flu shot
MedHead Message:
We now have 2 Cochrane reviews that show no significant difference in preventing transmission of the flu or hospitalization in an elderly institutionalized setting. There was a slight decrease in lower respiratory illness; however, you would need to vaccinate 50 healthcare workers to avoid one lower respiratory infection. The risk in the difference in death was not determined; however, death from influenza or pneumonia appeared to be about the same.
References:
1. Thomas RE, et. al. Influenza vaccination for healthcare workers who care for people aged 60 or older living in long-term care institutions.Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2016 Jun 2;(6):CD005187. 2. Thomas RE, et. al. Influenza vaccination for healthcare workers who care for people aged 60 or older living in long-term care institutions.Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2013 Jul 22;(7):CD005187
