Why there should be less emphasis on flu vaccination
Experts outline the case for hygiene over technology
7th November 2017
Less emphasis on vaccination and a greater focus on basic hygiene is the best way to beat influenza epidemics, say Australian infectious disease experts.
That’s because vaccination’s overall effectiveness is “disappointing”.
“Vaccination seems to have been less effective recently, especially against the predominant viruses in circulation (influenza A(H3) and B strains), with little or no protection in elderly patients against H3 last winter in the UK and elsewhere,” writes Professor Chris Del Mar, a professor of public health at Bond University and Dr Peter Collignon