Overview
- An extensive University of California meta‑analysis of 155 high‑quality studies (1997–2024) found a roughly fivefold stroke risk and fourfold heart‑attack risk in the first four weeks after influenza infection.
- SARS‑CoV‑2 infection was associated with a 3.1‑times higher risk of heart attack and a 2.9‑times higher risk of stroke shortly after illness, with smaller but meaningful increases also reported for HIV, hepatitis C and varicella‑zoster.
- The European Society of Cardiology now formally classifies certain vaccinations as a standalone prevention pillar for cardiovascular disease, reflecting evidence that acute infections can trigger inflammation and coagulation that strain the vascular system.
- National guidance stresses timely shots before winter: Austria offers free influenza and pneumococcal vaccines for people 60 and older, and Germany’s STIKO advises annual COVID‑19 boosters for those 60+ with a new influenza vaccine recommended from the 2025/26 season.
- Uptake remains low despite benefits such as a ~34% reduction in major cardiovascular events after flu vaccination, with reported coverage around one third for flu in over‑60s, about 20% for pneumococcal protection, and 16% for last winter’s COVID booster.