A new study says that the flu shot will do little to protect an elderly person who is in compromised health because of a lung infection.

While annual flu shots reduce the risk of developing lower respiratory tract infections among healthy individuals age 65 and older, they did not benefit subjects with other illnesses, Dutch researchers found. But investigators reported that they still recommend flu vaccinations for all elderly because of previous study evidence that the flu shot reduces overall mortality rates.

The study was reported in the October issue of the Archives of Internal Medicine.