[Evaluation of the effectiveness of influenza vaccination among the elderly in Friuli-Venezia Giulia (Italy)].
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the effectiveness of the influenza vaccination in reducing medical visits, hospital admissions, and deaths among the population > or =65 years of age in Friuli-Venezia Giulia.


METHODS
We conducted a retrospective and a prospective cohort study. For the retrospective study, we used data from the regional health electronic database. For the prospective study, we integrated this source of data with data provided by a sample of general practitioners.


METHODS
The Friuli-Venezia Giulia region, Northeastern Italy.


METHODS
The population > or =65 years of age assisted by the Regional Health Service.


METHODS
Mortality from any cause, deaths, hospital admissions, and medical visits due to influenza, heart disease, and respiratory disease, also stratified by age and comorbidity.


RESULTS
With the exception of some population subgroups, the retrospective study showed that the vaccination was not effective in reducing the risk of hospital admission and death. On the contrary, the vaccination was associated with an increase in hospital admissions due to influenza, heart disease, and respiratory disease (increased by 7%, 13%, and 17%, respectively). On the other hand, the prospective study showed an association between the vaccination and a 26% reduction in the risk of admissions for respiratory disease and a 21% reduction in the risk of all-cause death, whereas visits due to respiratory disease were increased by 55%.


CONCLUSIONS
Overall, the influenza vaccination appeared to have a low impact on the study cohorts. The vaccination was more effective in subjects <85 years of age and in those affected by comorbidity.
Valent
Francesca
F
Istituto di igiene ed epidemiologia, Policlinico universitario a gestione diretta, Udine francesca.valent@uniud.it
Schiava
Flavio
F
Gnesutta
Daniela
D
Brianti
Giorgio
G
Barbone
Fabio
F
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D015331:Cohort Studies; D015897:Comorbidity; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D005260:Female; D006760:Hospitalization / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D007252:Influenza Vaccines / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D007251:Influenza, Human / Q000401:mortality* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D007558:Italy / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D009819:Office Visits / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors
D007252:Influenza Vaccines