Many studies have shown that the influenza vaccine can reduce the risk of recurrent heart attack, sudden cardiac death, heart-related hospital admissions, and stroke. The effect of the pneumococcal vaccine on vascular events is more controversial. In the May 5, 2010 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association, receipt of the pneumococcal vaccine was not associated with a subsequent decrease in the risk of acute heart attack or stroke among men aged 45 or older.

Researchers from Kaiser Permanente in California studied 84,170 men aged 45 to 69 who participated in the California Men’s Health Study in order to examine the association between pneumococcal vaccine administration and the risk of acute heart attack and stroke. During follow-up, there were actually more first heart attacks and strokes in men who received the pneumococcal vaccine than in men who did not.

Although a previous study supported the protective role of the pneumococcal vaccine against acute heart attack and stroke, this latest study took into account dietary factors, disease history, and lifestyle factors and also included an ethnically and socioeconomically diverse population. Current guidelines recommend that the pneumococcal vaccine be given to adults aged 65 or older, and to people who have underlying medical conditions that may increase the risk for pneumococcal infection. Based on the findings of this study, the pneumococcal vaccine helps to prevent bacterial infections, but does not protect against acute heart attack or stroke.

Source:

JAMA. 2010; 303(17): 1699-1706.