Health
College students vaccinated against flu miss fewer classes
NEWS IN BRIEF — Posted Dec. 22, 2008
Those attending colleges and universities who are immunized against influenza are sick less often compared with those who didn't get a flu shot, says a study in the December Archives of Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine.
Researchers with the Dept. of Veterans Affairs Medical Center and the University of Minnesota, both in Minneapolis, analyzed data on four cohorts totaling 12,795 students from 2002-06. Slightly more than 30% had received the flu vaccine. During flu season, this group reduced their risk of having an influenza-like illness by 30%. They also cut their antibiotic use, and the amount of time school performance was subpar. The number of classes and workdays missed also went down.
"College and university students can experience substantial benefits from influenza vaccinations," the researchers wrote.
Note: This item originally appeared at http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2008/12/22/hlbf1222.htm.
