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The author of this article explains that "In Public Health England’s 2019-20 report on seasonal influenza vaccines, there was one eye opening point: one in four healthcare workers did not get a flu vaccine."
An equally eye opening point was reported by the BMJ in 2020, namely that
" this recent well designed (albeit observational) study of the flu vaccine provides food for thought. The vast data set from 2000 to 2014 included 170 million episodes of care and 7.6 million deaths among 55-75 year olds in England and Wales. Over 65s were more likely to get a flu jab, but there was no evidence that it reduced hospitalisations or mortality in this older age group. Additional strategies may be needed to reduce the risk of flu, say the authors.
JAMA doi:10.1001/jama.2020.0442 " (1)
Perhaps the fact that one in four health care workers did not get a flu vaccine in 2019-20, suggests that they may have a better awareness of the history of the flu vaccine than many of their colleagues? (2,3)
Re: Covid-19: The countries that have mandatory vaccination for health workers
Dear Editor
The author of this article explains that "In Public Health England’s 2019-20 report on seasonal influenza vaccines, there was one eye opening point: one in four healthcare workers did not get a flu vaccine."
An equally eye opening point was reported by the BMJ in 2020, namely that
" this recent well designed (albeit observational) study of the flu vaccine provides food for thought. The vast data set from 2000 to 2014 included 170 million episodes of care and 7.6 million deaths among 55-75 year olds in England and Wales. Over 65s were more likely to get a flu jab, but there was no evidence that it reduced hospitalisations or mortality in this older age group. Additional strategies may be needed to reduce the risk of flu, say the authors.
JAMA doi:10.1001/jama.2020.0442 " (1)
Perhaps the fact that one in four health care workers did not get a flu vaccine in 2019-20, suggests that they may have a better awareness of the history of the flu vaccine than many of their colleagues? (2,3)
1. https://www.bmj.com/bmj/section-pdf/1022227?path=/bmj/368/8237/Education...
2. https://www.bmj.com/content/358/bmj.j4146/rr-1
3 https://www.bmj.com/content/368/bmj.m626/rr
Competing interests: No competing interests