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27 October 2006
Influenza Shots Missing Their Target 
Before you go out and get your annual flu shot, you might want to consider new evidence that suggests that they may not be worth the expense. In the British Medical Journal this week, vaccine expert Tom Jefferson investigates whether flu shots are effective, or whether they are public health policy gone mad. Influenza vaccines are manufactured from inactivated (dead) viruses, but because viruses continually mutate, it is difficult for scientists to effectively track how well a vaccine works. In fact, recent studies suggest that the major reasons for introducing flu shots in the first place - employee absenteeism, hospitalizations and deaths - are not being reduced.
Jefferson says that this astonishing gap between public policy and actual data on the effectiveness of flu shots may be the result of confusion between actual influenza and illnesses that have flu-like symptoms. Considering the extent of resources required to provide influenza shots to the public, Jefferson advises that a comprehensive review of the situation should be implemented. Such a review would also be a positive step toward proper regulation and scrutiny of flu shots, as there is little evidence to support not only the effectiveness of flu shots, but also their safety. Source: British Medical Journal
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