Influenza and pneumococcal vaccination of the elderly in Taiwan.
In 1998, Taiwan became the first country in Asia to provide free influenza vaccination to high-risk groups, mainly the elderly. The purpose of this study is to determine: (1) the annual mortality rate from influenza and pneumococcal-related illnesses such as pneumonia, chronic bronchitis, pulmonary emphysema and asthma and (2) the effectiveness of and adverse events associated with the influenza vaccination. In the elderly, influenza vaccination caused the annual death rate due chronic bronchitis, pulmonary emphysema, and asthma to decline steadily but had no effect on the annual pneumonia death rate. The only adverse effect of concern was vertigo (in approximately 2-3%).
Chen
Yeong-Hwang
YH
Department of Family Medicine, Tri-Service General Hospital, No. 325, Section 2, Chen-Kung Road, Nei-Hu, Taipei, Taiwan, ROC. lcc8224@giga.net.tw
Liou
Saou-Hsing
SH
Chou
Chih-Chieh
CC
Su
Wen-Lin
WL
Loh
Ching-Hui
CH
Lin
Shih-Ha
SH
D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D001249:Asthma / Q000401:mortality / Q000517:prevention & control; D001991:Bronchitis / Q000401:mortality / Q000517:prevention & control; D004196:Disease Outbreaks; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D017589:Immunization Programs; D007252:Influenza Vaccines / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007251:Influenza, Human / Q000401:mortality / Q000517:prevention & control*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011008:Pneumococcal Infections / Q000401:mortality / Q000517:prevention & control*; D022242:Pneumococcal Vaccines / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011014:Pneumonia / Q000401:mortality / Q000517:prevention & control; D011656:Pulmonary Emphysema / Q000401:mortality / Q000517:prevention & control; D012307:Risk Factors; D013624:Taiwan / Q000453:epidemiology
D007252:Influenza Vaccines; D022242:Pneumococcal Vaccines