Flu vaccine reduces risk of hospital stay for stroke, heart failure for diabetes patients

http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2016-07/cmaj-fvr072016.php

Public Release: 25-Jul-2016
Flu vaccine reduces risk of hospital stay for stroke, heart failure for diabetes patients
Canadian Medical Association Journal

People with type 2 diabetes who receive the influenza vaccine may be less likely to be admitted to hospital for myocardial infarction, stroke and heart failure, according to new research published in CMAJ (Canadian Medical Association Journal).

"In this large population-based study, influenza vaccination in people with type 2 diabetes was associated with reductions in rates of hospital admission for acute cardiovascular and respiratory diseases, and in all-cause mortality across 7 influenza seasons," writes Dr. Eszter Vamos, Department of Primary Care & Public Health, Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, London, United Kingdom, with coauthors.

People with type 2 diabetes are at high risk of cardiovascular disease. Many countries encourage vaccination against influenza, especially in older people and people with multiple health issues such as diabetes, although there is uncertainty about vaccine effectiveness in these groups.

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