Flu Study Helps Profits and Public Health

The best health care projects often lie at the intersection of profits and public health. This is the case in a recent health study on U.S. adult flu shot uptake funded by GlaxoSmithKline (GSK). GSK's project helped both the company and public health workers by offering accurate counts of vaccinated adults prior to the upcoming flu season.

The study - authored by RAND Health researchers - surveyed over 4,000 Americans aged 18 and older about whether they received a seasonal influenza vaccine shot. Findings from the study showed that by the end of the 2009-2010 flu season, less than half (39%) of all U.S. adults had been vaccinated for flu. Of the group specifically recommended for vaccination (elderly, healthcare workers, women who might be pregnant, people in nursing homes), 45% received shots. In the group of adults not specifically recommended for flu shots, only 21% were vaccinated.

This type of data previously came from the Center for Disease Control (CDC). Unfortunately the CDC's flu season studies offered little help to industry and public health planners since results were published after the start of the subsequent season. By the time the 2009-2010 flu season started, for example, the CDC had not yet reported on flu shot uptake from the 2008-2009 season.

By beating publication of the CDC's data, the independent flu study served both GSK's interests and those of public health planners. In particular, this early data will allow more accurate estimates of the numbers of adults that will be vaccinated during the upcoming flu season. This will drive profits at GSK as the company streamlines production to avoid overruns or shortfalls of vaccine. Similarly, public health workers will benefit as they work to tailor vaccination outreach campaigns and set targets for expanding flu shot coverage.

Surprised that less than half of U.S. adults received flu vaccine during last year's H1N1 scare? Wondering whether to get a flu vaccine this year? Post your questions and comments below.

Photo credit: flickr - USACE Europe District