How many lives does the flu vaccine save? A Spanish study has the answer

A team from several institutions in our country has analyzed tens of thousands of patients around the world. The conclusion: getting vaccinated reduces the possibility of dying up to four times in certain risk groups.

La seasonal flu vaccine It has become so common in our lives, especially for risk groups such as the elderly or chronic patients, that it is sometimes difficult to give it the credit it deserves in the prevention of disease and death.

Furthermore, since the influenza virus It changes so much from one year to the next, with different subtypes becoming prevalent and arriving in Spain from different parts of the world, that it is common to read criticism of the vaccine and its formulation.

Since the influenza virus changes so much from year to year, it is common to read criticism of the vaccine and its formulation.

To try to assess the effect that this injection really has - or inhalation in the case of the pediatric vaccine - a research team from the CEU San Pablo University, the Carlos III Health Institute, the National Influenza Center of Valladolid and the 12 de Octubre Hospital in Madrid has carried out a Meta-analysis of over 192 influenza patients, observing their severity when they were vaccinated or not. The results are published this month in the journal European Respiratory Review.

“In many countries with advanced vaccination systems, the perception of vaccines as an essential tool to prevent serious risks associated with certain infectious agents has diminished,” the virologist explains to SINC. Stanislaus Nistal-Villan, one of the authors of the work, “probably because many people have not experienced or witnessed the consequences of the diseases they prevent.”

Reduces the risk of death

The professor and researcher at CEU San Pablo stresses that “it is essential to promote pedagogy based on solid and verifiable data to highlight the impact of vaccines on reducing mortality and increasing life expectancy.”

This work seeks precisely to provide a extensive evidence on the usefulness of the flu vaccine. “One of the main conclusions of our study is that, beyond preventing infections, the flu vaccination has a crucial impact on the reducing the risk of death associated with influenza virus infections and their complications,” says Nistal-Villán.

In many countries with advanced vaccination systems, the perception of vaccines as an essential tool to prevent serious risks associated with certain infectious agents has decreased.

Estanislao Nistal-Villán, virologist CEU San Pablo

Specifically, the analysis shows that in people with certain risk factors – the main targets of vaccination programmes – the injection can reduce the risk of death by three to four times. “This data highlights the importance of continuing to promote vaccination as an essential public health tool,” he adds.

Are vaccine 'cocktails' working?

Another of the debates that tend to be more and more common, especially since the pandemic made us more aware of everything that surrounds the manufacture of a vaccine, is whether the laboratories are correct in predicting the influenza subtypes which will be more prevalent in the winter season. This is precisely what will determine how effective vaccination will be.

It should be noted that the ability to prevent infection varies significantly depending on the type of virus we are facing.

“The vaccine is effective, but it is essential to clarify what we mean by efficacy,” the virologist said. “We have evaluated both the efficacy in preventing infection by different influenza viruses circulating among humans (Influenza A H1N1, Influenza A H3N2, and Influenza B), as well as the efficacy in reducing the risk of death associated with these viruses.”

It should be noted that the ability to prevent infection varies significantly depending on the type of virus we are facing. “In particular, influenza vaccines offer limited protection against H3N2,” says Nistal-Villán, “however, when analysing their effectiveness in preventing deaths, the data show that vaccination is highly effective against any of the influenza viruses.”

Essential public health tool

That is, even if you can get the flu this winter even though you have been vaccinated, the injection will have been effective in saving lives around it.

Vaccine formulations used in the last 20 years have been effective in preventing approximately half of the deaths associated with

Estanislao Nistal-Villán, virologist CEU San Pablo

“Our data indicate that the vaccine formulations used in the last 20 years have been effective for prevent approximately half of the deaths associated to influenza in people over 65 years of age,” says Nistal-Villán.

Reference: Jesus Presa et al.: 'Influenza vaccine outcomes: a meta-analysis revealing morbidity benefits amid low infection prevention'. European Respiratory Review 2025.

Main Image: A woman receives the flu vaccine, in a file photo. / EFE | Nacho Gallego

Source: SINC Agency

Rights: Creative Commons