A new study of millions of nursing home residents confirms public health officials’ long-held belief that the flu vaccine saves seniors’ lives.

The Brown University analysis, which tracked seniors from 2000 to 2009, determined the influenza vaccine lead to fewer nursing home residents’ deaths and hospitalizations, Medical Xpress reports.

Although flu vaccination is a standard of care in nursing homes, some public health experts have questioned whether they do much good, said Vincent Mor, with the Florence Pirce Grant Professor in the Brown University School of Public Health.

But the new research, published in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, clearly demonstrated the ability of the vaccine to fight the flu, even though its effectiveness can vary widely year to year.

Sometimes, like the past year, the prevailing flu strain does not match the vaccine produced by manufacturers very well. But in other years, vaccine makers produce a great match that is highly protective.

The results of the new study showed that vaccinations help keep some nursing home residents alive and out of the hospital.

"This study evidences protection for an elderly population for whom vaccine efficacy has been questioned," said Stefan Gravenstein, M.D., adjunct professor of medicine and health services, policy and practice.

"Annual vaccination is the only way to maximize the benefit of vaccine, no matter what the age."