COVID vaccines still protect against heart problems, large study finds
Summary
A large study of over 1 million U.S. veterans found that COVID-19 vaccines still help protect against serious heart problems like heart attacks and strokes, especially in people over 75 and those with other health issues. The 2024–2025 COVID vaccine reduced these events by about 38% compared to those who only got a flu shot.Key Facts
- The study used data from 1,039,659 patients in the VA health system.
- Participants all received a flu shot; 349,085 also received a COVID-19 vaccine.
- The COVID vaccine lowered major heart event rates (including heart attack, stroke, and heart failure hospitalization) from about 5 to 3 per 10,000 people.
- The vaccine was most effective in people aged 75 and older and those with health problems.
- The study also suggested vaccines reduced deaths and heart events even when COVID-19 cases were not documented.
- Researchers estimate vaccines could prevent about 2,370 heart events and 1,580 deaths per 1 million people over 8 months.
- An additional study showed the vaccine reduces risk of COVID hospitalization by 35% and critical illness by 41%.
- The study mainly reflects older, White, male veterans, so results may not apply to everyone.
Read the Full Article
This is a fact-based summary from The Actual News. Click below to read the complete story directly from the original source.