Flu vaccine could also protect from pneumonia

Vaccination against influenza was associated with a significantly reduced risk for influenza pneumonia requiring hospitalization among both children and adults, according to the results of a study published in JAMA. “The estimated vaccine effectiveness was 57%,” Carlos G. Grijalva, MD, MPH, of the Department of Health Policy at Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, told Medical Economics. “This means that about 57% of hospitalizations due to influenza-associated pneumonia could be prevented through vaccination.” According to Grijalva, pneumonia is the most important infectious cause of hospitalizations in the United States, causing more than 200,000 hospitalizations. “This disease is associated with substantial suffering and it is also an important risk factor for mortality,” Grijalva said. “In addition, the disease results in a very large economic burden for the healthcare system. This is why effective strategies to reduce the morbidity and mortality associated with pneumonia are of great public health interest.” The most effective strategy to prevent influenza...