Swiss experts dispute value of annual flu vaccine

Swiss health experts disagree over how much protection the annual flu vaccine provides, SRF reports, as vaccination rates remain low despite official recommendations for people at higher risk.

The Federal Office of Public Health recommends vaccination each autumn for people aged 65 and over, pregnant women, people with chronic illnesses, and children born prematurely who are between six months and two years old. In its latest survey, covering winter 2023–24, just 37 percent of people over 65 said they had been vaccinated.

Philip Tarr, head of infectious diseases at the Cantonal Hospital of Baselland, said the vaccine’s limited effectiveness may help explain the low rate. In his view, it offers only modest benefits, such as preventing hospital admissions, and doctors have not had sufficiently effective flu vaccines. Tarr, who led a national research programme on vaccine scepticism and supports vaccination in general, also said the limitations of flu vaccines had received too little attention for decades.

The Federal Office of Public Health rejects the claim that the vaccine is not very effective. It says large studies show vaccination reduces the risk of severe illness, lowering flu-related hospitalisations among adults and older people by an average of about 40 percent and flu-related deaths by about 35 to 50 percent.

Christoph Fux, chief physician for infectious diseases and infection prevention at Aarau Cantonal Hospital, said vaccination is most beneficial for people at high risk. People who have recently had a heart attack or stroke can benefit substantially, he said, adding that vaccinating 30 people could prevent another event in this group. People over 80 may also benefit because even a small decline in their health can affect their ability to live independently.

Fux said most people over 65 are healthy and have only a small individual benefit from vaccination. For them, he said, vaccination is primarily intended to reduce the amount of virus circulating in the population. He added that people with colds can help limit the spread of viruses by wearing masks and washing their hands.