WebMD Medical News Laura J. Martin, MD Oct. 25, 2011 -- As flu
season approaches, a new analysis finds that the flu vaccine
provides only moderate protection against the flu, noting that
such protection is greatly reduced or absent during some flu
seasons. The analysis is published in The Lancet. "While the
vaccine does work, and we still recommend that it be used, it
does not demonstrate the kind of efficacy that has often been
reported," says study researcher Michael T. Osterholm, MD, of
the University of Minnesota Center for Infectious Disease
Research and Policy. The researchers also say there is a lack of
evidence for the effectiveness of flu vaccines in the most
vulnerable groups, such as the elderly. "For those over age 65
there are real gaps in the information we have about
effectiveness compared to young, healthy adults," he says. "It
is clear that we need to develop new and better vaccines to fill
these gaps." Osterholm says the analysis represents the most
exhaustive review ever conducted of the ef