Abstract
The seasonal influenza vaccine doesn’t just reduce the risk and severity of ‘the flu’, it also reduces the risk of non-communicable disease outcomes, notably major cardiovascular events. The incidence of heart attacks and stroke is reduced by about one third. That’s on par with many of the daily heart medications routinely prescribed to high-risk patients.
For over a century we’ve known that bad flu seasons mean more heart attacks and strokes. Since 2003, strong evidence has emerged demonstrating that the flu vaccine offers substantial cardiovascular protection. This protection comes directly from reducing the risk and severity of influenza, plus likely further non-specific immune protection. Given the huge burden of heart disease and stroke in Aotearoa New Zealand (NZ), we urgently need to highlight these additional hidden benefits and lift vaccination rates among those most at risk.