The study analyzed 31 eligible studies published between 1967 and 2011 to determine the efficacy and effectiveness of influenza vaccines in the US through a meta-analysis. The researchers found that influenza vaccines provided 59% efficacy for adults aged 18-65 based on 8 randomized trials. Vaccine effectiveness was 69% based on observational studies. However, vaccine protection was diminished for some seasons and evidence of protection for those over 65 was lacking. The study suggests continued vaccination campaigns are important but that an alternative to the current vaccine may better protect the elderly.

1. EFFICACY AND EFFECTIVENESS OF INFLUENZA VACCINES DQ
EFFICACY AND EFFECTIVENESS OF INFLUENZA VACCINES DQEFFICACY AND
EFFECTIVENESS OF INFLUENZA VACCINES DQThe article titled Efficacy and Effectiveness
of Influenza Vaccines: A systematic Review and Meta-Analysis seeks to establish the efficacy
and effectiveness of licensed influenza vaccines in the US through a meta-analysis of 31
eligible studies published between Jan 1 1967 to Feb 15 2011. Eligible studies had to be
randomized trials that assessed the relative reduction in the risk of infection from the
influenza virus during specific flu seasons (efficacy) and observational studies that
monitored the effectiveness of the vaccine. The studies also had to be using RT-PCR or the
culture method to confirm the presence of the influenza virus (Osterholm, Kelley, Sommer,
& Belongia, 2012). Comment by Audra Clark: Include a thesis statement in your
introductionBy establishing the efficacy and effectiveness of the influenza vaccine the study
could be used as a guide for future vaccination campaigns and help isolate target groups
that may be in need of different kinds of interventions. For instance, study authors note that
while those aged 65 years and older account for 90% of all fatalities resulting from flu
infection, the annual vaccine seems to be the least effective and they point out to another
vaccine solution that might help this demographic. The study is in a way significant given
the oversized effect that the influenza virus has on the health situation in the developed
world. The authors for instance note how every year, most developed nations undertake
costly vaccination campaigns to prevent influenza related complications which can lead to
fatalities and other complications. Thus the study’s significance lies in reducing some of
these incidences. The authors also point out that the information is useful for the efforts
that aim at estimating the potential health benefits of the influenza vaccination.ORDER
NOW FOR CUSTOMIZED, PLAGIARISM-FREE PAPERSMethod of study – consider using a
heading such as thisAs noted, the authors used a meta-analyses approach that involved
searching for randomized controlled trials that either assessed the relative reduction in risk
in catching the flu during the flu season or observational studies that met set criteria for
effectiveness. In total 5707 articles were reviewed for the study in which 31 were found to
be eligible (Osterholm et al., 2012). Using the information available in the articles,
estimations of random effects of pooled efficacy of trivalent inactivated vaccine were made.
The study design was appropriate because meta analyses combines results from multiple
studies with similar methods and aims the logic being that it is easier to reduce the errors in
the studies if they are all aggregated together. And given that the vaccination campaign has
been going on for many years, I think that the best way to know the effectiveness of the

2. vaccination campaigns is to look at the aggregate of the outcomes of the various studies.
Indeed, the authors point out that their study is a first of its kind as no published meta
analyses have assessed the efficacy and effectiveness of licensed influenza vaccines for the
many years that they have been administered in the US.As for the study methods, the
authors first established criteria for study inclusion by defining both efficacy and
effectiveness and then searched for studies that were published in Medline (PubMed
Database) that met the said criteria. After the studies were selected, the authors went on to
calculate Mantel-Haenszel fixed effects and random effects pooled odd ratios that were
compared to placebo when there were more than three randomized controlled studies that
had equivalent age ranges and vaccine characteristics. Homogeneity was assessed with the
help of the Breslow Day Statistic (Osterholm et al., 2012).The methods used in this case are
appropriate for this kind of study and the statistical analyses employed necessary when it
comes to answering the pertinent questions raised for the about the efficacy and
effectiveness of the influenza vaccination campaigns. The researchers also conducted
extensive research work through the use of both old and new references. The oldest
reference is from 1942 while the latest is from 2011. A total of 71 references were used for
this meta analyses. The results indicate that over all the efficacy of TIV in eight of the 12
randomized trials stood at 59% (95% CI) for adults aged between 18 to 65 years. No such
data could be obtained for children between the ages of 2-17 years old. In children aged
between 6 months to 7 years the same was found to be 83% (69-91). In observational
studies vaccine effectiveness was shown to be 69%. Comment by Audra Clark: Good
discussion of methodology used by the researchers EFFICACY AND EFFECTIVENESS OF
INFLUENZA VACCINES DQThe authors thus point out that the studies show that the
influenza vaccine d oes provide some measure of protection against confirmed influenza.
(Campitelli, Rosella, Stukel, & Kwong, 2010). However, the protection is greatly diminished
for some seasons and evidence that the vaccination campaigns protect the elderly 65 years
or older is lacking. The significance to nursing is that the study could be used to make a case
for continued vaccination campaigns because as the authors point out the seasonal
influenza outbreak presents a serious medical challenge that should it go out of hand would
result to a substantial burden of disease while causing a serious threat to the global
economy. They therefore argue for the continued implementation of the CDC influenza
vaccines with the extra recommendation that LAIV vaccine be approved for 65 years and
older demographic as it has shown considerable promise in helping reduce fatalities in this
group (Vu, Farish, Jenkins, & Kelly, 2002). Comment by Audra Clark: Good implications for
nursing Comment by Audra Clark: Be aware of blue lines as they indicate an errorEthical
considerationsThe study was not approved by any institutional review board although they
declare a no conflict of interest and the sponsors for the study. As it was a meta analyses
ethical considerations that had to do with the patient did not come to play however, most of
the studies cited had ethical considerations of their own.ConclusionIn conclusion, the study
looks at the overall effectiveness and efficacy of the vaccination campaigns as conducted by
the CDC over the years. The researchers note the importance of these campaigns especially
given the disease burden and fatalities associated with the flu. To make a case for continued
vaccination and to better promote the public interest in the matter, the efficacy and the

3. effectiveness had to be tested and measured. It turns out that there is a case to be made for
continued vaccination although the elderly 65 years or older continue to bear a heavier
burden than the rest of the population something that could be rectified if a different
vaccination method was used.student,Good article choice! Your provided a good analysis of
the research performed. Would suggest adding a thesis statement in the introduction of
your paper and also including headings for better organization – I did add some in red as a
suggestion. EFFICACY AND EFFECTIVENESS OF INFLUENZA VACCINES DQ