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The study authors have urged the government to consider investing in alternative public health measures instead of relying on the flu jab campaign every year.

The study analysed flu vaccination uptake and hospital admission rates for 3,970 people aged between 65 and 89 and registered with 79 general practices in England during the winter of 2003/4.

Even after adjustment for age, sex, chronic conditions, deprivation and smoking status, flu vaccination still had no effect on admissions for acute respiratory illness.

However, Dr Jeremy Hawker, one of the authors of the study and an expert with the HPA, said the study did not negate the need for the vaccine as other studies had showed demonstrable benefits in reducing infection and subsequent morbidity and mortality in the elderly.

'But there is a need to think of additional measures in this particular group to reduce winter pressures in NHS hospitals such as the vaccination of healthcare workers,' he said.

- Vaccine Online 2007.