The 2024-2025 COVID-19 vaccine may reduce serious cardiovascular events among U.S. veterans, particularly those aged 75 and older, according to new research.
New research has linked the 2024-2025 COVID-19 vaccine to a reduction in serious cardiovascular events among U.S. veterans, especially those over the age of 75.
The study indicates a small decrease in COVID-related cardiovascular events, known as COVID-19-associated major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE), attributed to the vaccine. MACE is a composite measure that typically includes serious heart-related outcomes such as cardiovascular death, heart attack, stroke, and may also encompass hospitalization for heart failure.
Researchers utilized health records from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs to compare two groups of veterans: one group that received both the COVID-19 and flu vaccines on the same day, comprising nearly 350,000 individuals, and another group that received only the flu vaccine, totaling nearly 700,000 people. The study analyzed over one million veterans, with an average age of about 70, and 92% of the participants were male, according to a press release.
Results from the study revealed that within approximately eight months, those who received the 2024-2025 COVID vaccine exhibited a lower risk of COVID-associated major cardiovascular events, with a relative vaccine effectiveness of 37.7%. Specifically, the COVID vaccine was associated with a 57.9% lower risk of cardiovascular death, a 38.5% lower risk of heart attack, and a 41.9% lower risk of hospitalization for heart failure. However, the results concerning stroke were not statistically significant.
The benefits of the vaccine were most pronounced among older adults, particularly those aged 75 and older, where the vaccine demonstrated an effectiveness of 50.7% in preventing COVID-associated MACE. While the study provides valuable insights, it is important to note that it was observational in nature and could not establish a definitive cause-and-effect relationship between the COVID-19 vaccine and the reduced risk of cardiovascular events.
Dr. Glenn Hirsch, a cardiologist at National Jewish Health in Denver, Colorado, commented on the findings, stating that the results were “not overall surprising.” He noted that these findings align with previous studies examining the COVID-19 vaccine and other vaccines against infectious diseases in preventing cardiovascular events, including heart attacks and cardiovascular-related deaths or hospitalizations.
According to Dr. Hirsch, acute inflammation caused by infections like COVID-19 can elevate the risk of cardiovascular events and lead to further complications. He explained that such inflammation increases the likelihood of blood clotting and makes arterial plaques more susceptible to rupture, which can subsequently lead to clot formation and the occlusion of arteries, resulting in cardiovascular events.
“Vaccines either prevent infection or reduce the severity of infection and subsequent inflammation, thereby lowering cardiovascular risk,” Dr. Hirsch stated.
Despite the positive outcomes observed in this study, Dr. Hirsch noted that the overall benefit of the vaccine was less pronounced compared to previous studies. This discrepancy may be attributed to the lower severity of illness associated with more recent COVID-19 variants, as well as the immunity conferred by prior infections among unvaccinated individuals. Additionally, a decline in COVID-19 testing has made it more challenging to link cardiovascular events directly to the virus.
Dr. Hirsch emphasized the importance of vaccination, stating, “The bottom line is that there is still evidence of benefit from COVID-19 vaccination, similar to many other infectious disease vaccinations. People should be encouraged to discuss these with their healthcare team annually.”
He also cautioned that, as this was an observational trial, there could be confounding factors even after necessary statistical adjustments. Other potential benefits or harms, including adverse effects from vaccines that were not investigated in this study, should also be considered.
As the research continues to unfold, the findings underscore the potential health benefits of the COVID-19 vaccine, particularly for vulnerable populations such as older adults and those with pre-existing health conditions, suggesting a continued role for vaccination in public health strategies.
These insights were reported in a recent press release, highlighting the ongoing importance of vaccination in mitigating health risks associated with COVID-19.
According to Fox News, the findings contribute to the growing body of evidence supporting the benefits of vaccination in reducing serious health complications.