A study published today in the Lancet Journal says that the flu jab may not reduce the risk of elderly patients getting pneumonia.
The study, led by Dr Michael Jackson, from the GroupHealthCenter for Health Studies in Seattle followed 3,500 people through three flu seasons to see if it made any difference, and while slightly fewer vaccinated patients were diagnosed with pneumonia, the difference was not statistically significant.
The British Lung Foundation says it is important to highlight that the study focuses on healthy adults and that this should not deter people from getting the flu vaccine particularly elderly people with chronic lung diseases.
Pneumonia represents one of the biggest threats to elderly people during the annual winter flu season in the UK. It is either caused by the direct action of the influenza virus within the lungs, or by a separate bacterial infection taking hold while the person is weakened by flu.
In the UK, the over-65s, alongside those with chronic illnesses such as asthma, COPD and diabetes, are encouraged to have a yearly flu jab in the autumn.
Dr Keith Prowse, Chairman of the British Lung Foundation said: "This is an interesting study but it’s important to note that the subjects were healthy adults.
“It should not deter people from getting the flu vaccine because influenza is an unpleasant illness in itself and the vaccine is particularly important for elderly people with other chronic diseases like COPD who have a weakened immune system and are susceptible to developing pneumonia.
"Further research looking at whether the vaccine reduces the risk of pneumonia in vulnerable groups would be extremely useful.”
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