Flu jabs are a 'waste of taxpayers' money', claim scientists who say the benefits have been over-hyped

• College of Minnesota report states benefits - specifically for seniors - happen to be over-marketed
• New vaccine pipeline impeded consequently
• But experts still recommend current vaccination 'as it is the best we have'

By Sophie Borland

Released: 11:49 GMT, 21 November 2012

The advantages of the annual flu jab happen to be ‘over-hyped’, researchers claim.

They are saying the vaccine is way not as effective as is broadly thought, with a few studies showing it safeguards under two-thirds of people.

The United States scientists say ministers in great britan in addition to America are ‘wasting taxpayers’ money’ around the jab.

Plus they declare that since the benefits happen to be so ‘over-promoted’, researchers happen to be discouraged from inventing vaccines that might be much more effective.

Flu injections are a total waste of taxpayer's money because of the protective results of the vaccine being over-over-blown, it's been stated

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However the Department of Health has was adamant influenza injections ‘save lives’ and advised the seniors and patients with lengthy-term conditions in the future forward for his or her vaccinations.

Scientists in the College of Minnesota checked out 12,000 studies around the effectiveness and safety from the flu jab, returning towards the nineteen thirties. More...

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They are saying that although Government authorities claim it safeguards between 70 and 90 percent of people, this really is really not the situation.

Actually, they are saying, it safeguards just 59 percent of grown ups aged 18 to 65, but is way less efficient within the seniors.

Professor Michael Osterholm, who had been active in the study, stated: ‘I happen to be a powerful proponent of vaccination generally, and flu vaccine particularly, for several years. I still recommend its use because the best we've.

The report's author, Professor Michael Osterholm, stated he still suggested the vaccine, nevertheless its benefits were over-reported

‘But we've over-marketed this vaccine. For several age ranges in certain years its usefulness continues to be seriously limited in accordance with what's been formerly reported.

‘That has already established a really dampening impact on the introduction of new vaccines.’ And Douglas Fleming, from the Royal College of General Practitioners’ Influenza Monitoring Unit in Birmingham, stated: ‘No vaccines are great. Last year’s flu vaccine would be a bad complement the circulating strains. Its usefulness differs from year upon year with different age ranges.

‘Among the seniors it's broadly recognised that it is effectiveness decreases. Better vaccines are essential because of this particularly. It's been over-over-blown by a lot of.’

At the moment influenza jab is provided liberated to the over-65s, women that are pregnant and anybody by having an underlying health problem for example bronchial asthma, diabetes or epilepsy.

The immunisation programme is believed to cost the citizen ?115million annually.

The most recent figures in the Health Protection Agency reveal that 61 percent from the over-65s happen to be vaccinated this season, in addition to 30 percent of women that are pregnant and 37.5 percent of individuals with lengthy-term conditions.

A Department of Health spokesperson stated: ‘There is without doubt the flu programme saves lives.

‘Evidence on the potency of the vaccine is examined through the Joint Committee of Vaccination and Immunisation which year the committee began an in depth overview of influenza vaccine programme.

‘We strongly encourage researchers and also the vaccine industry within their efforts to build up new and much more effective flu vaccine and don't agree these work is being frustrated.

‘Each year 1000's of individuals die after catching flu so we urge everybody that's within an at-risk group to obtain the vaccine.’

Professor Osterholm added: ‘We support using flu vaccine in most age ranges. Even one of the over-65s, even though it is of limited benefit, it's still an advantage.’