Researchers reviewed two flu seasons’ worth of data that covered 27 million Americans who were hospitalized across 14 national flu surveillance networks. They found that poorer hospital patients with flu were less likely to have been vaccinated and were more likely to live in conditions that contribute to infection spread, such as close living quarters.
“By identifying unique demographic groups like poor people, who have more serious complications from influenza, local vaccination efforts can be better targeted and clinicians can be prepared to offer early antiviral therapy,” the authors concluded.
More articles on infection control:
CDC flu update: Positive results from lab-confirmed tests fall for first time this season
Providers using athenahealth EHR to track flu increases in real-time
FDA announces picks for likely 2016-2017 flu strains
