As flu season begins, Public Health Reports highlights new research from Northeastern University examining the broader, community-level benefits of influenza vaccination. The study, County Influenza Vaccination Rates and Antibiotic Prescribing Rates in U.S. Nursing Homes, explores how increasing flu vaccination coverage may have ripple effects beyond flu prevention. Findings suggest that higher vaccination rates are linked to reduced antibiotic prescribing in nursing homes, underscoring the wider health impact of robust vaccination campaigns.

Using national data, the researchers analyzed the relationship between county-level influenza vaccination rates and antibiotic prescribing patterns in US nursing homes. They found that for every 1% increase in local flu vaccination coverage, nursing homes experienced a modest but statistically significant decrease in antibiotic prescribing, even after adjusting for facility and resident characteristics. These results indicate that strengthening county-level influenza vaccination efforts not only helps prevent influenza but also contributes to reducing unnecessary antibiotic use, supporting both infection prevention and antimicrobial stewardship in long-term care settings.