Flu vaccination should be considered essential for people with CHF

Researchers have completed a large cohort study that included all people older than 18 years with a diagnosis of heart failure, (n=134048). Vaccination coverage of the study cohort ranged from 16% to 54% during the study period, which spanned three and a half years. After adjustment for comorbidities, medications, household income, and education level, receiving ≥1 vaccinations was associated with an 18% reduced risk of death (all-cause: hazard ratio, 0.82; 95% CI, 0.81-0.84; P<0.001; cardiovascular causes: hazard ratio, 0.82; 95% CI, 0.81-0.84; P<0.001). Annual vaccination, and vaccination early in the season (September to October), and greater cumulative number of vaccinations appeared to confer additional benefit compared to the effects of intermittent vaccination. The researchers conclude that flu vaccination should be considered as a potential strategy to increase CHF survival, an approach similar to the use of standard pharmacological interventions such as prescribing beta blockers or ACE inhibitors. The study, published in the prestigious journal Circulation, can be accessed here.