The mindset of public health activists seems set more to the selling of flu vaccinations than providing the accurate information we need to make an informed choices.
Here's a study where the authors concluded the results 'failed to provide clinical evidence in support of the recommendations for annual influenza vaccination of asthmatic children. Even after controlling for several potential confounders, we noted a statistically significant increase in asthma related health care utilisation associated with vaccination. While this disturbing result does not show harm from the influenza vaccine, it is suggestive enough to warrant future study. It appears that a long term, prospective controlled trial may be needed.'
Arch Dis Child. 2004 Aug;89(8):734-5.
Effectiveness of influenza vaccine for the prevention of asthma exacerbations.
Christy C,
Strong Children's
BACKGROUND: There is a lack of clinical evidence that annual vaccination against influenza prevents asthma exacerbations in children.
METHODS: Retrospective cohort study of 800 children with asthma, where one half did, and the other half did not receive the influenza vaccine. The two groups were compared with respect to clinic visits, emergency department (ED) visits, and hospitalisations for asthma. In multivariable analyses, adjustment was made for baseline asthma severity, prior utilisation of health services, receipt of vaccine in the previous year, and demographic variables.
RESULTS: After adjusting for other variables, the vaccine group had a significantly increased risk of asthma related clinic visits and ED visits (odds ratios 3.4 and 1.9, respectively).
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