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Vaccines

Flu vaccine — does it really protect seniors?

Sources: 11 · Article: 13 940 characters

The STOP NOP Association reports that the vaccine’s effectiveness in the 2012/2013 season was 9–56%, and that protection against the H3N2 strain was weak or nonexistent in seniors.

  • The STOP NOP Association notes that vaccination does not always prevent infection, and that its effectiveness depends, among other things, on age and health.
  • Jerzy Zięba claims that the flu vaccine has not undergone clinical trials and that its effectiveness and safety have not been demonstrated.
  • Jerzy Zięba and Jerzy Jaśkowski question the need for flu vaccination; Jerzy Jaśkowski claims that vitamin D works better and costs less.

What the authors write

Stowarzyszenie STOP NOP

In the 2012/2013 season, the vaccine’s effectiveness ranged from 9–56%, depending on the strain, and older people had weak or no immunity to H3N2.

„Centers for Disease Control (2013)42 According to the CDC, the effectiveness of the flu vaccine in the 2012/2013 season ranged from 9 to 56 percent, depending on the strain. Older people developed weak immunity to the influenza A H3N2 strain, or none at all.43 Flu symptoms: There are two main types of flu (A and B). Symptoms include fever, chills, sore throat, fatigue, muscle and body aches, cough, diarrhea, and vomiting, and may last for more than a week.”Centers for Diseases Control (2013)42 Według CDC, skuteczność szczepionki przeciwko grypie w sezonie 2012/2013 wynosiła od 9 do 56 procent, w zależności od szczepu, przy czym osoby starsze uzyskiwały słabą odporność przeciwko szczepowi grypy A H3N2, lub nie miały jej wcale.43Objawy grypy: Istnieją dwa główne rodzaje grypy (A i B), których objawy obejmują gorączkę, dreszcze, ból gardła, zmęczenie, ból mięśni i ciała, kaszel, biegunkę i wymioty, które mogą utrzymywać się nawet ponad tydzień.
Szczepienia – poznaj ich ryzyko i skuteczność – Ogólnopolskie Stowarzyszenie Wiedzy o Szczepieniach "STOP NOP"
Stowarzyszenie STOP NOP

The flu vaccine may not prevent infection, and protection depends partly on a person’s age and health.

„Flu vaccine: limited effectiveness Unfortunately, some people may become infected with a strain of the flu virus that the flu vaccine is meant to protect against, even after being vaccinated. The protection provided by the flu vaccine may vary, depending in part on the health and age of the person vaccinated.”Szczepionka przeciwko grypie: Ograniczona skuteczność ?Niestety niektórzy mogą zakazić się szczepem wirusa grypy przeciwko któremu szczepionka przeciwko grypie ma chronić nawet pomimo szczepienia. Ochrona zapewniona przez szczepionkę przeciwko grypie może być różna, w zależności częściowo od stanu zdrowia i wieku osoby szczepionej.?
Szczepienia – poznaj ich ryzyko i skuteczność – Ogólnopolskie Stowarzyszenie Wiedzy o Szczepieniach "STOP NOP"
Stowarzyszenie STOP NOP

Vaccines may not even provide temporary protection, and fully vaccinated people can spread the flu.

„VACCINES: LEARN ABOUT THEIR INEFFECTIVENESS Vaccines can provide temporary immunity, but sometimes they do not even give some people temporary protection against infection. Three examples of such vaccines are vaccines against whooping cough, flu, and mumps. Fully vaccinated children and adults can and do spread whooping cough, flu, mumps, and other viruses.”SZCZEPIENIA: POZNAJ ICH NIESKUTECZNOŚĆ Szczepionki mogą zapewniać czasową odporność, jednak czasem nie zapewniają poszczególnym osobom nawet czasowej ochrony przez zakażeniem. Trzema przykładami takich szczepionek są szczepionki przeciwko krztuścowi, grypie i śwince. W pełni zaszczepione dzieci i osoby dorosłe mogą przenosić i przenoszą zakażenia krztuścem, grypą, świnką czy innymi wirusami.
Szczepienia – poznaj ich ryzyko i skuteczność – Ogólnopolskie Stowarzyszenie Wiedzy o Szczepieniach "STOP NOP"
Jerzy Zięba

Jerzy Zięba claims that the flu vaccine has not undergone clinical trials and was not required to demonstrate its effectiveness or safety.

„The flu vaccine is a drug that is administered to Polish adults and children without any clinical trials, not even the smallest one. It is the only “drug” (after all, it does not treat anything) that does not have to demonstrate its effectiveness or, most importantly, its safety.”Szczepionka przeciw grypie jest właśnie lekiem wprowadzanym do organizmu Polaków dorosłych i dzieci bez żadnego badania klinicznego, nawet najmniejszego. Jest to jedyny „lek” (niczego przecież nie leczy), który nie wymaga wykazania jego skuteczności ani, co najważniejsze, jego bezpieczeństwa.
Czy Nowy da radę? Jerzy Zięba
Jerzy Zięba

Jerzy Zięba believes that if the body were properly prepared for autumn and winter, flu vaccines would be unnecessary.

„Properly preparing the body for the autumn and winter season will make the use of “flu vaccines” completely unnecessary. The article appeared in the magazine Harmonia. Your Health, Your Responsibility, in the November/December 2015 issue.”Właściwe przygotowanie organizmu do okresu jesienno-zimowego spowoduje, że zastosowanie „szczepionek przeciw grypie” będzie całkowicie zbędne. Artykuł ukazał się w czasopiśmie: Harmonia. Twoje Zdrowie, Twoja Odpowiedzialność w wydaniu listopad/grudzień 2015.
C – witamina ciężkiej wagi
Jerzy Jaśkowski

Jerzy Jaśkowski claims that maintaining a proper level of vitamin D is cheaper and more effective than flu vaccination.

„Preventing and treating viral infections, flu, and colds is much cheaper and more effective by maintaining a proper level of vitamin D than through heavily advertised vaccination campaigns. I would remind you that the only flu epidemic in Poland in the early 1970s...”Zapobieganie i leczenie zakażeń wirusowych, grypy i przeziębień jest o wiele tańsze i skuteczniejsze za pomocą utrzymywania prawidłowego poziomu witaminy D, aniżeli masowo reklamowane szczepienia. Przypomnę, że jedyna epidemia grypy w Polsce na początku lat 70.
Słoneczny dar natury - witamina D3
Jerzy Jaśkowski

Jerzy Jaśkowski points out that vitamin D supplementation in older people is being overlooked.

„Despite many studies demonstrating vitamin D deficiency in the Polish population, no “public health specialist” has yet called for it to be supplemented in children and adolescents, let alone older people. In Poland, vitamin D supplementation was discontinued in 1971.”Pomimo wielu prac udowadniających niedobór witaminy D w organizmach Polaków, nadal żaden „specjalista” zdrowia publicznego nie występuje z wnioskiem o konieczność jej suplementacji u dzieci i młodzieży, nie wspominając o osobach starszych. W Polsce w 1971 roku wykreślono suplementację witaminą D.
Słoneczny dar natury - witamina D3

Research from PubMed · Europe PMC

We selected 4 studies with the best, positive results. This is a selection, not a full review of all research.

Total number of studies on this topic in PubMed: 3 508.

A meta-analysis found that the high-dose vaccine provided better protection than the standard-dose vaccine against influenza-like illness and hospitalizations in seniors.

Aim of the study: This updated systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized and observational studies published up to April 2023 assessed the relative performance of high-dose inactivated influenza vaccine (HD-IIV) and standard-dose influenza vaccines (SD-IIV) against influenza-associated outcomes in older adults (≥65 years).

Results: This updated systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized and observational studies published up to April 2023 assessed the relative performance of high-dose inactivated influenza vaccine (HD-IIV) and standard-dose influenza vaccines (SD-IIV) against influenza-associated outcomes in older adults (≥65 years). The analysis included studies conducted over 12 influenza seasons (2009/2010 to 2019/2020, 2021/2022), including over 45 million individuals aged ≥ 65 years, and showed that HD-IIV provided significantly better protection than SD-IIV against influenza-like illness and influenza-related hospitalizations, as well as cardiovascular, cardiorespiratory, and all-cause hospitalizations. Subgroup analyses showed HD-IIV consistently provided better protection than SD-IIV against influenza outcomes across the age range (65+, 75+ 85+ years), and regardless of the predominantly circulating influenza strain and vaccine antigenic match/mismatch.

High-dose influenza vaccine in older adults by age and seasonal characteristics: Systematic review and meta-analysis update. · Vaccine X 2023
Money for the studycompany or manufacturer · Sanofi Pasteur SA, Sanofi
Do the authors have ties to companies?yes — the authors reported it
Did a manufacturer help with the study?YES
Type of studycombined analysis of many studies (meta-analysis)

“Not stated” does not mean nobody paid — the database does not always record it.

A meta-analysis of randomized studies found that, in people aged 65 and older, the high-dose vaccine reduced hospitalizations for flu and pneumonia, as well as hospitalizations overall, compared with the standard dose.

Aim of the study: To summarize current evidence of high-dose influenza vaccine (HD-IV) vs standard-dose (SD-IV) regarding severe clinical outcomes.

Results: Five randomized trials were included encompassing 105,685 individuals. HD-IV vs SD-IV reduced P&I hospitalizations (rVE: 23.5 %, [95 %CI: 12.3 to 33.2]). HD-IV vs SD-IV also reduced rate of all-cause hospitalizations (rVE: 7.3 %, [95 %CI: 4.5 to 10.0]). No significant differences were observed in death rates (rVE = 1.6 % ([95 %CI: -2.0 to 5.0]) in HD-IV vs SD-IV. Sensitivity analyses omitting trials with participants sharing the same comorbidity, trials with ≥ 100 events, and random-effects models provided comparable estimates for all outcomes. HD-IV reduced the incidence of P&I and all-cause hospitalization vs SD-IV in adults ≥ 65 years in randomized trials, through no significant difference was observed in all-cause death rates. These findings, supported by evidence from several randomized studies, can benefit from replication in a fully powered, individually randomized trial.

The relative vaccine effectiveness of high-dose vs standard-dose influenza vaccines in preventing hospitalization and mortality: A meta-analysis of evidence from randomized trials. · J Infect 2024
Money for the studynot stated
Do the authors have ties to companies?not stated
Did a manufacturer help with the study?unknown
Type of studycombined analysis of many studies (meta-analysis)
Participants105 685

“Not stated” does not mean nobody paid — the database does not always record it.

A study of seniors in Taiwan found that the standard-dose vaccine reduced the risk of hospitalization, ICU admission, and flu-related death.

Aim of the study: The 2024-2025 influenza season in Taiwan was notably more severe than the prior season, with severe cases increasing from 1433 to 2215 and deaths increasing from 297 to 545. Vaccination coverage among adults aged ≥65 years also declined from 53.6% to 48.1%. All government-funded vaccines in the 2024-2025 season were inactivated standard-dose trivalent influenza vaccines.

Results: Despite a decline in vaccination coverage, the vaccine demonstrated robust protection against severe outcomes. The adjusted VE was 71.9% (95% CI: [63.0-78.8]) against 30-day mortality and 70.0% (95% CI: [62.1-76.2]) against ICU admissions. Protection against influenza-associated hospitalizations was 58.2% (95% CI: [52.9-62.9]), while VE against outpatient visits was 44.8% (95% CI: [42.4-47.1]). Propensity score matching showed similar trend but generally lower VE estimates. Our findings confirm that the influenza vaccine remains highly effective in preventing severe outcomes, despite the reduced population uptake and increased disease burden. The methodology, consistent with our prior season's analysis, underscores the reliability of these results. We conclude that enhancing vaccination coverage among the elderly is critical to mitigating the impact of severe seasonal epidemics.

Influenza vaccine effectiveness against influenza-related medical visits, hospitalization and death among adults aged 65 years and older in Taiwan: interim 2024-2025 season result using standard-dose inactivated influenza vaccine. · Vaccine 2026
Money for the studynot stated
Do the authors have ties to companies?not stated
Did a manufacturer help with the study?unknown
Type of studyobservation of people

“Not stated” does not mean nobody paid — the database does not always record it.

A randomized study found that, in seniors, the high-dose vaccine provided better protection than the standard-dose vaccine against laboratory-confirmed flu.

Aim of the study: As compared with a standard-dose vaccine, a high-dose, trivalent, inactivated influenza vaccine (IIV3-HD) improves antibody responses to influenza among adults 65 years of age or older. This study evaluated whether IIV3-HD also improves protection against laboratory-confirmed influenza illness.

Results: A total of 31,989 participants were enrolled from 126 research centers in the United States and Canada (15,991 were randomly assigned to receive IIV3-HD, and 15,998 to receive IIV3-SD). In the intention-to-treat analysis, 228 participants in the IIV3-HD group (1.4%) and 301 participants in the IIV3-SD group (1.9%) had laboratory-confirmed influenza caused by any viral type or subtype associated with a protocol-defined influenza-like illness (relative efficacy, 24.2%; 95% confidence interval [CI], 9.7 to 36.5). At least one serious adverse event during the safety surveillance period was reported by 1323 (8.3%) of the participants in the IIV3-HD group, as compared with 1442 (9.0%) of the participants in the IIV3-SD group (relative risk, 0.92; 95% CI, 0.85 to 0.99). After vaccination, HAI titers and seroprotection rates (the percentage of participants with HAI titers ≥ 1:40) were significantly higher in the IIV3-HD group.

Efficacy of high-dose versus standard-dose influenza vaccine in older adults. · N Engl J Med 2014
Money for the studynot stated
Do the authors have ties to companies?not stated
Did a manufacturer help with the study?unknown
Type of studystudy with random allocation to groups (RCT)
Participants31 989

“Not stated” does not mean nobody paid — the database does not always record it.

Perspectives and opinion materials

The content below presents the authors’ opinions, interpretations and hypotheses. It is not treated as equal to scientific studies and systematic reviews.

Orthomolecular Medicine News Service Opinion material
„One review of ten RCTs found an efficacy of 59% for adults aged 18-65 years.[36] Another review stated "there is strikingly limited good-quality evidence (all GRADE B, C or not existing) of the effectiveness of influenza vaccination on complications such as pneumonia, hospitalization and influenza-specific and overall mortality."[37] However, a review in 2004 found that "vaccine efficacy were 22% (95% CI = 16-28) for preventing clinically diagnosed cases of influenza and 63% (95% CI = 53-71) for preventing laboratory confirmed cases of influenza."[38] One problem with report of influenza vaccine effectiveness is selection bias.[39] Who is going to fund and publish a study showing that influenza vaccination is not effective?”One review of ten RCTs found an efficacy of 59% for adults aged 18-65 years.[36] Another review stated "there is strikingly limited good-quality evidence (all GRADE B, C or not existing) of the effectiveness of influenza vaccination on complications such as pneumonia, hospitalization and influenza-specific and overall mortality."[37] However, a review in 2004 found that "vaccine efficacy were 22% (95% CI = 16-28) for preventing clinically diagnosed cases of influenza and 63% (95% CI = 53-71) for preventing laboratory confirmed cases of influenza.".[38] One problem with report of influenza vaccine effectiveness is selection bias.[39] Who is going to fund and publish a study showing that influenza vaccination is not effective?
"The End of Illness" Needs a Dose of Vitamin D
Orthomolecular Medicine News Service Opinion material
„A study of older adults showed that long-term supplementation of NAC (600 mg twice daily) reduced symptomatic episodes of respiratory tract infections. While NAC did not protect from influenza infections, it protected from clinically apparent episodes.”A study of older adults showed that long-term supplementation of NAC (600 mg twice daily) reduced symptomatic episodes of respiratory tract infections. While NAC did not protect from influenza infections, it protected from clinically apparent episodes.
How to Prevent Sepsis Mortality: Part 2
Orthomolecular Medicine News Service Opinion material
„Further fake news from the vaccine industry The yearly campaign for the influenza vaccination has been repeated for many decades. In a recent CDC report, an estimate of 23,607 of deaths was related to influenza.[8] The relationship is often due to a secondary bacterial infection in an otherwise unhealthy person, even one with a known chronic illness. It is now widely understood that one reason for the reported success of vaccination is due to the fact that it is healthy (and more wealthy) people who get the vaccine.”Further fake news from the vaccine industry The yearly campaign for the influenza vaccination has been repeated for many decades. In a recent CDC report, an estimate of 23,607 of deaths was related to influenza.[8] The relationship is often due to a secondary bacterial infection in an otherwise unhealthy person, even one with a known chronic illness. It is now widely understood that one reason for the reported success of vaccination is due to the fact that it is healthy (and more wealthy) people who get the vaccine.
VACCINATIONS: To Be or Not to Be

Pisaczek does not judge who is right. It shows what was written and where to read it. Every sentence above has its source.