Respiratory diseases, specially pneumonia and flu-like syndromes are important causes of hospitalization and death in the population over 60 years old. The aim of this work is to evaluate nosocomial respiratory morbidity in the elderly in the state of São Paulo, from 1995 to 2002. Hospitalization trends were analyzed after the influenza vaccine intervention. The Health Ministry database on Hospitalization Authorizations (AIH) was used. Morbidity indicators for selected respiratory causes were: nosocomial hospitalization rates per 1,000 inhabitants; proportion of hospitalizations in relation to total in-patients; proportion of these causes in relation to internal medicine beds available monthly. Data suggested that influenza vaccine campaigns have changed hospitalization patterns in both genders and in age groups in the state of São Paulo.
Nosocomial morbidity; Influenza; Vaccination; Elderly
