Flu Shot Efficacy For Elderly in Question

The San Francisco Chronicle reports that the flu vaccine, available at every drug store and dime store from coast to coast may not be worth its aluminum, er, mercury, er, salt to Grandma and Grandpa. 

The adult flu vaccine contains 25 micrograms of mercury. There is a pediatric version (I've yet to hear of a pediatric practice that has brought it in) and a nasal spray that do not have mercury. However, is ANY flu vaccine necessary? From the article: "A team of National Institutes of Health researchers has concluded that the often-touted benefits of flu shots to people over the age of 70 are highly exaggerated - there is no real proof they provide protection to the frail elderly.

The conclusion published Monday in an online edition of the British journal the Lancet Infectious Diseases is unwelcome news for public health officials in the United States who are preparing to launch the annual flu shot campaign."

Read the full article HERE.