Flu Vaccination Surprisingly Lowers Stroke Risk, Study Says

Researchers recently found out how flu vaccines may surprisingly lower stroke risk among adults. This is the case even if the adults are not vulnerable to developing stroke. According to SciTechDaily, this was discovered by an investigating team that performed a study through the thorough review of health documents of over 4 million Albertans for around nine years. Such findings suggest that influenza vaccines should be encouraged for everyone.

Could Flu Shots Reduce Stroke Risks the Same Way They Lower Heart Attack and Hospitalization Risks Among Those With Heart Conditions?

While flu vaccination shots have been seen to lower risks of hospitalization and heart attack among those with heart conditions, the researchers wanted to determine if the same protective characteristics worked for those at risk of developing stroke.

According to principal investigator Dr. Michael Hill, the study findings reveal lower stroke risks among those who recently got their flu vaccinations. Such observations were present across all adults and not only those who were already at risk of getting a stroke.

The findings of this study were included in the Lancet Public Health publication.

The study's dataset was taken from the Alberta Health Care Insurance Plan. As part of their analysis, the experts considered different factors, including age, anticoagulant usage, and certain risk factors.

Flu Vaccinations as a Potential Stroke Prevention Strategy

Study author and postdoctoral scholar Dr. Jessalyn Holodinsky noted how the team observed that stroke risk was remarkably lower during the first six months after the flu shot. Dr. Holodinsky also notes how such findings suggest that broad flu vaccinations could be a potential public health way for stroke prevention.

According to the researchers, the study had two vantage points. One of these was that the data it analyzed covered a population for around ten flu seasons. Another strength was that the research took place in a province with a centralized healthcare system.

The University of Calgary notes how Dr. Hill notes that the general advantage of flu vaccination regarding stroke prevention is a new finding. Dr. Hill hopes that this would serve as a springboard for further study into other protective factors of flu and other kinds of vaccines.

Dr. Hill notes how they know that upper respiratory infections usually precede strokes and heart attacks. The prevention or severity reduction of flu may be a protective factor, especially against stroke. He notes how the association of protection was remarkably strong. It benefitted both women and men. There was also a vivid stroke risk reduction and age increase for those who got their flu jabs.

Check out more news and information on Vaccination in Science Times.