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Influenza deaths in Leicestershire during the 1989–90 epidemic: implications for prevention

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  15 May 2009

J. S. Nguyen-Van-Tam  and
K. G. Nicholson
J. S. Nguyen-Van-Tam
Affiliation:
Infectious Diseases Unit. Groby Road Hospital, Leicester LE3 9QE
K. G. Nicholson
Affiliation:
Infectious Diseases Unit. Groby Road Hospital, Leicester LE3 9QE
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Summary

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There is an association between excess winter mortality and epidemics of influenza and it has been suggested that annual influenza vaccination should be offered to all over 65 years old as in the United States. This paper identifies the number of people dying from influenza in Leicestershire UK during the 1989–90 epidemic and the factors associated with a fatal outcome. The findings show that deaths attributed to influenza occur predominantly in very elderly people with underlying ill-health. The risk of influenzal death is greater in residential patients and increases substantially with the number of underlying medical conditions. The estimated death rates in vaccinated and non-vaccinated groups were not significantly different, but there were trends towards protection in both residential and non-residential groups. Influenza vaccine is not reaching the principal target groups and improved methods of influenza control are required.

Type
Research Article
Information
Epidemiology & Infection , Volume 108 , Issue 3 , June 1992 , pp. 537 - 545
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1992

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