Influenza — The Goal of Control

Abstract

Annual administration of inactivated influenza vaccine to older adults has long been recommended by public health authorities.1 The risks of influenza-related complications, hospitalizations, and deaths increase with age, as does the prevalence of underlying medical conditions. Prospective, randomized, controlled studies have demonstrated that inactivated vaccine is protective against laboratory-confirmed influenza in young adults and, according to much more limited data, in older adults as well.2 Since the vaccine reduces the risk of influenza, it would be reasonable to expect that vaccination would also reduce the risks of influenza-related complications in recipients. Demonstrating this type of effect in a prospective, randomized, . . . Annual administration of inactivated influenza vaccine to older adults has long been recommended by public health authorities.1 The risks of influenza-related complications, hospitalizations, and deaths increase with age, as does the prevalence of underlying medical conditions. Prospective, randomized, controlled studies have demonstrated that inactivated vaccine is protective against laboratory-confirmed influenza in young adults and, according to much more limited data, in older adults as well.2 Since the vaccine reduces the risk of influenza, it would be reasonable to expect that vaccination would also reduce the risks of influenza-related complications in recipients. Demonstrating this type of effect in a prospective, randomized, . . .