Flu vaccine reduces risk of hospitalisation

By Dr Jodie Abramovitch

Professor Allen Cheng (left) and
Associate Professor Tom Kotsimbos (right)

Vaccination against influenza infection is recommended in high risk groups including the elderly, pregnant women and those with chronic illnesses. The flu vaccine is primarily aimed at reducing the severe health consequences of infection such as hospitalisation and death. However, most previous studies on the influenza vaccine were performed in healthy adults and have looked at protection against mild influenza infection rather than severe complications.