Flu vigilance urged in resident homes

Both staff and residents at nursing homes need to be immunised against influenza if outbreaks of the illness are to be avoided, a study published today claims.

Researchers from the US-based non-profit organisation Rand Health, publishing their findings today, reveal that because elderly immune systems are not as strong as those in younger and healthier bodies, influenza-like illnesses are only successfully immunised against in 23 per cent of cases, compared to 86 per cent in the wider population.

As a result attempts to prevent influenza outbreaks in nursing homes ? in which on average 15 residents become ill per outbreak ? must centre on immunising both residents and staff.

The study found that when 55 per cent of staff and 89 per cent of residents were immunised, the likelihood of an influenza outbreak occurring diminished by 60 per cent.

“Simply immunising nursing home residents against influenza is not going to ensure they’re protected from getting the flu,” Lisa Shugarman, a lead author of the study, said.

“It’s only the combination of high rates of immunisation for residents and staff that appears to make the difference.”

She pointed out that because of the heightened vulnerability of elderly people to influenza, it was important to adopt as many measures to prevent the spread of the illness as possible.