Check out our Diet Reviews on AOL Health!

Effectiveness of flu shots for elderly questioned

Categories: Reviews & Products

Flu shots may not be that effective (if at all) for those over 65, a new piece of research has concluded. In fact, the risk of death related to flu complications in this age group is, according to researchers, 'greatly exaggerated.'

How is this possible? Well, it all comes down to measurements and process problems with data collection, it appears. The researchers noted that the noticed exaggeration could be the result of "frailty selection bias". This means that some elderly folks are vaccinated more often than others (healthy versus non-healthy).

Also, death in this age group can be lopped into a huge bucket, without specific, clinical trail endpoints. Data rules all, I guess. You have to wonder how many studies are somewhat invalid just based on the incompetence of the data collection and measurement systems alone?

Recent Posts

Add your comments

New Users

Current Users

Please keep your comments relevant to this blog entry. Email addresses are never displayed, but they are required to confirm your comments.

When you enter your name and email address, you'll be sent a link to confirm your comment, and a password. To leave another comment, just use that password.

Recent Comments
Featured Writers
Bob GreeneReggie Casagrande
Bob Greene
Jonny BowdenJohn GanonJonny Bowden

Tanya ZuckerbrotFadil BerishaTanya Zuckerbrot
Liz Neporent Liz Neporent