Heart Failure Death Risk Drops 50% in Those Who Receive Flu Vaccine

A new study shows people with heart failure who receive a seasonal influenza (flu) vaccine have a 50 percent drop in the risk of death during flu season and a 20 percent drop in the risk of death during the rest of the year. In the meta-analysis, researchers analyzed six studies conducted in the U.S., Europe and Asia that included data for more than 78,000 patients with heart failure. Five of the studies were observational and one was a retrospective analysis of clinical trial results. They found getting the flu vaccine reduced the risk of dying (from any cause) by about half during flu season and by about one-fifth during the rest of the year. Vaccination was also associated with a 22 percent reduction in the risk of being hospitalized for cardiovascular problems.

“It is well-known that influenza infection is associated with increased risk of mortality in heart failure patients,” said Hidekatsu Fukuta, MD, a cardiologist at Nagoya City University Graduate School of Medical Sciences in Nagoya, Japan, and the study’s lead author. “Given the high mortality rate and the relative low influenza vaccination rates in heart failure patients worldwide, our study supports a wider use of influenza vaccination in heart failure patients.”

The study’s authors caution, however, that while observational studies can show associations, they do not necessarily prove cause and effect. Therefore, said Dr. Fukuta, “Randomized controlled studies should be planned to confirm our observed potential survival benefit of influenza vaccination in these patients.”