Influenza


Studies from University of Nottingham yield new information about flu vaccines



Influenza Library
Library Home

This article was published in Pharma Business Week, which you can subscribe to online.
2007 NOV 19 -- A new study, 'Inequalities in uptake of influenza vaccine by deprivation and risk group: time trends analysis,' is now available. According to recent research from Nottingham, the United Kingdom, "The aim of this study was to investigate influenza immunisation rates in the United Kingdom over a 6-year period and examine trends in uptake by deprivation, ethnicity, rurality and risk group. Influenza immunisation rates were determined from 1999/2000 to 2004/2005 using a large general practice database (QRESEARCH)."

"There was a relative increase of 59.5% in the overall influenza vaccination rate over the study period. In 2004/2005, 70.2% of all patients aged 65 and over were vaccinated, compared with 29.3% of patients in a clinical risk group aged less than 65. Males, patients from deprived areas and from areas with a higher proportion of non-White residents had slightly lower vaccination rates overall," wrote C. Coupland and colleagues, University of Nottingham.

The researchers concluded: "This general practice based study suggests that substantial increases in influenza vaccination rates have occurred across all risk groups, but that increased focus should be given to immunising high-risk patients below the age of 65."

Coupland and colleagues published their study in Vaccine (Inequalities in uptake of influenza vaccine by deprivation and risk group: time trends analysis. Vaccine, 2007;25(42):7363-71).

For additional information, contact C. Coupland, University of Nottingham, Division of Primary Care, Tower Building, University Park, Nottingham NG7 2RD, UK.

Publisher contact information for the journal Vaccine is: Elsevier Science Ltd., the Boulevard, Langford Lane, Kidlington, Oxford OX5 1GB, Oxon, England.

Keywords: United Kingdom, Nottingham, Biotechnology, Flu Vaccines, Immunization, Influenza Vaccines, Vaccination.

This article was prepared by Pharma Business Week editors from staff and other reports. Copyright 2007, Pharma Business Week via NewsRx.com.