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October 9, 2002

U.S. IMMUNIZATION NEWS

"Flu Vaccine Does Not Prevent Second Heart Attack"

Reuters Health Information Services (www.reutershealth.com)

(10/07/02)

A two-year study, conducted by Lisa A. Jackson of the University of Washington and colleagues, that involved more than 1,300 people who previously suffered from a heart attack and had survived at least three months concluded that influenza vaccination does not decrease the likelihood of recurrent heart attacks or death from heart disease, as had been previously suggested.  Jackson and colleagues note, however, that the benefit of the flu vaccine in preventing hospitalization for pneumonia and related deaths has been proven and should motivate people to seek out the vaccination.  The study, published in the October issue of the American Journal of Epidemiology, suggests that viral infections like the flu may set off an inflammatory process that increases the risk of clot formation, but the flu vaccine is not directly associated with prevention of second heart attacks.

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