News Release

Swine flu vaccination program a success in Scotland

Peer-Reviewed Publication

The Lancet_DELETED

The researchers used detailed data collected by Scottish health agencies to examine the effect of H1N1 vaccination on the Scottish population. Vaccination showed clear association with protection against pandemic influenza, and a 20% reduction in hospital admissions due to influenza-related disorders. While only 16% of the people studied were vaccinated during the study period, the researchers found that 77% of people who had been vaccinated avoided contracting the H1N1 virus.

When analysing rates of hospital admissions, the researchers took into account admissions not only for flu-like symptoms, but also the related conditions of pneumonia, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and cardiovascular-related disease, reflecting the fact that flu can often complicate (or be complicated by) these pre-existing conditions in vulnerable patients.

According to lead author Dr Colin Simpson, Senior Research Fellow at the University of Edinburgh, "Our findings help strengthen the international evidence base for the effectiveness of H1N1 vaccination programmes and the future distribution of pandemic influenza vaccines. Policy makers ought to be encouraged that our vaccine estimates obtained are similar to those reported for seasonal influenza. However, despite the best efforts to encourage the most vulnerable to be vaccinated, there were low rates of uptake in the very young and pregnant women who were most susceptible to the pandemic."*

In a linked Comment, Professor John Oxford of the Blizard Institute of Cell and Molecular Science, Bart's and the London, UK, described the study as demonstrating "the inherent scientific strength of the NHS", pointing out that very few countries' health systems allow for the integrated and accessible data recording that made this study possible.

While urging further research to confirm the findings, Professor Oxford suggests that lessons from this study could be used to minimise the impact of the next major flu outbreak: "The study reaffirms the positive consequences of a rapidly formulated influenza vaccine in the case of a pandemic. The next step is to start examining how we could use similar methods to those used in this study, but in real time, which would allow authorities to prepare themselves and distribute vaccine appropriately."*

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Dr Jim McMenamin, Health Protection Scotland, Glasgow, Scotland T) +44 (0)141 300 1126, E) jim.mcmenamin@nhs.net, or contact Eleanor Cowie, Press & PR Officer, University of Edinburgh, Soctland T) +44 (0) 131 650 6514, E) eleanor.cowie@ed.ac.uk

Professor John Oxford, Blizard Institute of Cell and Molecular Science, Barts and the London, UK, T) +44 (0)20 8709 4900 E) j.s.oxford@retroscreen.com

Notes to Editors:

Quotes direct from authors and cannot be found in text of Article / Comment

The National Institute for Health Research Health Technology Assessment (NIHR HTA) programme funds research about the effectiveness, costs, and broader impact of health technologies for those who use, manage and provide care in the NHS. It is the largest NIHR programme and publishes the results of its research in the Health Technology Assessment journal, with over 600 issues published to date. The journal's 2010 Impact Factor (4.197) ranked it in the top 10% of medical and health-related journals. All issues are available for download, free of charge, from the website. The HTA programme is funded by the NIHR, with contributions from the Chief Scientist Office (CSO) in Scotland and the National Institute for Social Care and Health Research (NISCHR) in Wales. www.hta.ac.uk.

The National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) is funded by the Department of Health to improve the health and wealth of the nation through research. Since its establishment in April 2006, the NIHR has transformed research in the NHS. It has increased the volume of applied health research for the benefit of patients and the public, driven faster translation of basic science discoveries into tangible benefits for patients and the economy, and developed and supported the people who conduct and contribute to applied health research. The NIHR plays a key role in the Government's strategy for economic growth, attracting investment by the life-sciences industries through its world-class infrastructure for health research. Together, the NIHR people, programmes, centres of excellence and systems represent the most integrated health research system in the world. For further information, visit the NIHR website (www.nihr.ac.uk).


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