Influenza epidemics have high costs in morbidity, mortality, and medical care.1 Elderly patients with disabilities are particularly susceptible to the complications of influenza. These complications may not only include pneumonia but also exacerbations of underlying medical conditions such as chronic heart and lung disease and even death. Although elderly patients with disabilities are reported to be effectively immunized against influenza,2 it is uncertain whether bedridden patients benefit from influenza vaccination. We therefore evaluated the effect of vaccination on the rate of hospitalization for and complications of influenza, including pneumonia, and all respiratory conditions in bedridden patients in long-term care facilities.