December 2008

Influenza outbreaks in nursing homes are not reported to health authorities in 9 out of 10 cases, and low vaccination rates among staff are fuelling their spread. Influenza is potentially fatal to elderly people, but a three-year study by Australian experts has found that while only 2 per cent of nursing homes each year report having a flu outbreak, the real figure is over 20 per cent. Although over 90 per cent of residents were immunised, the researchers say the vaccine's slightly lower efficacy in older age groups means it is still possible for the infection to spread through nursing homes once it finds a way inside. Lead researcher Robert Booy, head of clinical research at the National Centre for Immunisation Research and Surveillance, told a recent conference in Sydney that the "reason flu gets brought in is because staff have relatively low rates of vaccination - perhaps 20 per cent of staff are vaccinated, and you need at least a 50 per cent uptake among staff to protect residents".

Content Updated (Tuesday, 6th January 2009)