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influenza vaccination: the need for medical associations, but on what basis ?

Recently, several U.S. medical organizations have proposed a mandatory vaccination against influenza for health care workers. These include the National Patient Safety Foundation, the Infectious Diseases Society of America, the Society of Healthcare Epidemiologists as well as the American Academy of Pediatrics, which represents more than 60 000 specialists.

In January 2010 a survey by the Center for Disease Control in the United States had observed that 37% of healthcare workers were vaccinated against influenza virus (strain A) and 35% had done is that this vaccination for seasonal influenza (strain B). According to many experts these percentages are too low and would expose the patients themselves at risk of infection with these viruses.

Despite the constant warnings about the risks of death from influenza and social costs related to hospitalization, there is no scientific basis to support certain that vaccination effectiveness is compared to the problem of contagion. Research conducted by scientists at the University of Calgary The Foundation in Canada and the Cochrane Collaboration on health care for elderly service representative, stressed that "there is no evidence that influenza vaccination of health care personnel prevents influenza (diagnosed in the laboratory), pneumonia and death from pneumonia in the elderly residents in a long-term care facility.

The same study, which was published in June 2010, also suggested that other interventions such as washing hands, wearing masks or Early diagnosis with nasal strips or use of anti-viral drugs and quarantine, restrictions on visits and require workers with similar symptoms the influence of commuting to work could not protect the elderly patients, although studies are needed and long-term randomized trials.

If there is no certainty about the real need for vaccination for caregivers and there are perhaps action to prevent the contagion of this type "zero cost" because the medical associations insist on the need for vaccination ?

The research - which then makes eco dissemination in the mass media - is in the hands of the farmacautica who obviously has no interest in studying and developing alternative approaches to vaccination. Need for independent research conducted by public institutions without conflicts of interest.

Sources

• "Pediatricians will join call for mandatory flu shots," USA Today, 9/8/2010.
• Thomas RE, Jefferson T, Lasserson TJ. Influenza vaccination for healthcare workers who work with the elderly. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2010 , Issue 2. Art No.: CD005187. DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD005187.pub3.