Researchers found surgical patients who had seasonal flu vaccines had no worse outcomes than patients who were not vaccinated, according to MedPage Today.
Here are three notes:
1. Researchers did not find a difference in the incidence of infection, fever and emergency department visits following the seven days after discharge for vaccinated and non-vaccinated patients.
2. Although vaccinated patients had a slightly higher rate of outpatient, non-emergency physician visits, researchers said this risk should be weighed against vaccination's protective benefits.
3. Despite the CDC's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices urging hospitalized patients to receive the flu shot, many surgical patients forgo the vaccination.
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