Re: Studies Show Flu Vaccine Is Not Effective for Most
- From: "PeterB" <pkm@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: 23 Sep 2005 11:34:15 -0700
Rich wrote:
> "PeterB" <pkm@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
> news:1127495621.547885.51590@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
> >
> > Rich wrote:
> >> "PeterB" <pkm@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
> >> news:1127479559.917901.30320@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
> >>
> >> Flu Vaccine Only Mildly Effective in ELDERLY
> >>
> >> According to a study appearing in the Sept. 22 online issue of The
> >> Lancet, vaccines against influenza are only "modestly effective" in
> >> people in long-term care facilities and even less effective for elderly
> >> people still living in the community.
> >>
> >>
> >> "We certainly do hope that people will not be sidetracked from this
> >> important point. There are studies that show that the vaccine is
> >> effective in preventing serious complications of the flu," said CDC
> >> spokesman Tom Skinner. "This is not going to change the fact that we
> >> each and every year recommend people in high-risk categories to get the
> >> vaccine."
> >>
> >> Peter, your subject line is false and misleading. In the report quoted,
> >> your
> >> "not effective" becomes "modestly effective", and "most" is actually the
> >> "elderly". This is typical of anti-vac liar semantic twisting.
> >
> > First, it's misleading to quote only those segments of an article you
> > find agreeable to you, so I urge readers to read the article in its
> > entirely (above your response.) This article clearly highlights the
> > fact that authorities are in disagreement about the benefits of flu
> > vaccine. As for the reference to "modestly effective," that was true
> > only for those in long-term care facilities, not everyone else. Where
> > do you think the majority of people are? Do you know the meaning of
> > the word "Most?" If you disagree with my view that something less than
> > "modestly effective" is therefore "not effective," take it up with
> > study authors, they are drawing the same conclusion, which is why CDC
> > (where many pharma people are working these day$) got hot under the
> > collar.
> >
> > PeterB
> >
>
> Actually, this is from the abstract of the study:
>
> http://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140673605673394/abstract?iseop=true
> (You have to be registered at Lancet to view this abstract, but registration
> is free.)
>
> "Interpretation
> In long-term care facilities, where vaccination is most effective against
> complications, the aims of the vaccination campaign are fulfilled, at least
> in part. However, according to reliable evidence the usefulness of vaccines
> in the community is modest."
>
> So now, in long-term care the "aims . . . are fulfilled," and in the
> community the "usefulness . . . is modest".
>
> "Modest" is certainly better than "not effective" and considering the low
> cost and excellent safety record of influenza vaccines, vaccination of the
> elderly and other high-risk persons seems well worthwhile.
You're confusing two areas of vaccine efficacy. The quote you lifted
from the abstract refers to "complications of influenza," not influenza
itself. The modest benefit, in fact, is only for those who contract
influenza *despite* vaccination in long-term care facilities, which
amounts to a VERY small minority. And in those facilities, additional
medical assistance is certainly available, which explains why the
vaccine-associated benefit in those individuals is not observed in
their counterparts outside managed care. My subject header is
therefore quite accurate in terms of influenza protection, and explains
the dispute going on among health authorities. In MOST people, as it
turns out, flu vaccine is simply not effective. Other studies have
clearly shown this, however the drug makers (and you on their behalf)
are trying hard to deny it. As for vaccine being cheap insurance, that
depends on your view of insurance. The injection of biological
material into a human being, by design, is an assault on the immune
system; it's also inferior to fortification of immune response made
possible by use of nutritional supplements.
PeterB
.
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