You're Never Too Old for a Flu Shot

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Previous research, published in The Lancet Infectious Diseases journal, suggested that the flu vaccine might not be that helpful for older people, particularly those in poor health. The study authors suggested that past research had found an advantage in immunized elderly people simply because healthier seniors may be the ones who choose to be vaccinated.

However, the New England Journal of Medicine study cast doubt on those assertions. This study included more than 400,000 people over age 65 who'd been vaccinated and 300,000 seniors who hadn't been vaccinated. All the study participants lived on their own, not in nursing homes or other long-term care facilities.

Those who received a vaccine were 27 percent less likely to be hospitalized due to flu complications, compared to the unvaccinated. And, the death rate was 48 percent lower for those who received the annual flu shot, according to the study.

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"It's important to get the vaccine on an annual basis to protect against influenza," said Ison. "Even in years the vaccine is not a perfect match, it may prevent you from getting as sick."

More information

To learn more about the flu and its complications, visit the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

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