Flu Vaccination Key to Cardiovascular Health, Especially for Seniors – German Data Highlights
Berlin, Germany – New data from Germany underscores the critical link between influenza and cardiovascular events, reinforcing the importance of annual vaccination, notably for individuals aged 60 and older. A significant number of hospitalizations and deaths related to the flu are triggered by subsequent cardiovascular complications, according to recent findings.
Influenza viruses are a major contributor to acute respiratory infections circulating in Germany each autumn and winter, alongside pathogens like respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), and pneumococcus. During the 2024/2025 season alone,over 390,000 laboratory-confirmed influenza cases were reported nationwide. However, health officials believe this figure represents a ample undercount of the true number of infections [1].
Influenza vaccination demonstrably reduces the risk of cardiovascular events, hospitalizations, and mortality. For those 60 years and older, high-dose influenza vaccines have shown superior efficacy compared to standard-dose vaccines in clinical trials. This highlights the potential for targeted vaccination strategies to significantly improve cardiovascular outcomes within this vulnerable population.
[1] – Citation details from original article are unavailable due to paywall.
