Flu Shot is Less Effective in Seniors, U.S Health Officials Admit

Health officials from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid admitted that flu shots are less effective in seniors but are still encouraging them to go through the vaccination.

According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, most of the patients admitted to hospitals due to flu-related complications belong to the age bracket 65 and above. When they reviewed the records, they found that the same age group had the highest hospitalization cases between 2005 and 2006. About 60 percent of the people hit by the seasonal flu were seniors.

Researchers started the investigation to identify why seniors occupy most of their flu medical records. They found that the flu shots given to them did not provide the same protection that younger people has received. However, they are not recommending seniors to opt out of the vaccination program. A little protection is still better than none at all.

"If that news left you asking yourself whether getting a flu vaccine this season is still worthwhile for people 65 and older, the answer is absolutely and unquestionably, "Yes!" CMS officials said in a statement.

"There are plenty of reasons for people 65 and older to get a flu vaccination this year, and vaccination remains the first, best and most important step in protecting against flu illness and its complications."

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), flu shots effectiveness varies per season. People who get flu shots will also experience varying effects because the protection depends on their age and current health condition. Getting a flu shot will lessen the impact of flu, antibiotic use, medical appointments, lost productivity, and reduce the chance of being hospitalized.

CDC recently released a study result that the flu shot given between 2011 and 2012 has helped reduce the number of hospitalizations due to flu-related concerns by almost 77 percent.