The Journal of Hospital Infection has just published a
systematic review on the effectiveness of seasonal influenza vaccination in healthcare workers. Here's the money quote from the abstract:
No evidence can be found of influenza vaccinations significantly reducing the incidence of influenza, number of ILI (influenza like illness) episodes, days with ILI symptoms, or amount of sick leave taken among vaccinated HCWs.
It's important to remember, however, that absence of evidence for the vaccine's effect, is NOT evidence of absence of an effect. I'm getting my flu shot this week, but I'm taking it on faith.
any mention of subclinical infection? if a HCW gets the flu, they stay home sick...usually. it is subclinical infection I worry about for hcw to patient transmission.
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