Question:
Are the benefits of yearly flu vaccine in healthy adults and children exaggerated?
Answer:
Yes
MedHead Confidence Score: 10
Amount Saved: $35 cost of flu shot
MedHead Message:
Of all the Cochrane reviews on flu vaccine for disease prevention, receiving the flu vaccine versus not receiving it shows no significant difference in disease, hospitalization, or death, and quite frankly, in most disease states. There is a tremendous bias in many studies, and dubious reports of “the flu shot will save your life” in the press magnify the importance. If you really disagree with this finding, please review the most up-to-date findings listed under references, then decide for yourself.
References:
1. Cates, CJ, et. al. Vaccines for preventing influenza in people with asthma. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2013 Feb 28;(2):CD000364 2. Demicheli, V et. al. Vaccines for preventing influenza in the elderly.Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2018 Feb 1;2:CD004876. 3. Demicheli, V et. al. Vaccines for preventing influenza in healthy adults.Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2018 Feb 1;2:CD001269.
