Updated COVID-19 vaccines continue to provide significant protection against severe cardiovascular complications, according to a new study from the US Department of Veterans Affairs. The research confirms the benefit persists even as the virus evolves and population-level immunity increases.
The study, published in JAMA Internal Medicine, analyzed electronic medical records from over one million veterans who received a seasonal flu shot between September and December 2024. Researchers compared a control group of 690,574 patients who received only the flu vaccine against 349,085 patients who received both the flu and updated COVID-19 vaccines.
After eight months of follow-up, the dual-vaccinated group showed a 38 percent reduction in major adverse cardiovascular events associated with COVID-19 infection. This category includes cardiovascular death, heart attack, stroke, and hospitalization for heart failure. The absolute benefit dropped the rate of these events from approximately 5 in 10,000 to 3 in 10,000.
The protective effect was strongest among adults aged 75 and older and those with underlying health conditions. The findings reinforce previous data linking the vaccines to lower risks of heart attacks and strokes.