Aug. 27, 2019—Protection from the flu virus is definitely worth the discomfort of a shot—and that's true for almost everyone. But for older adults, the benefits may go even further. The flu shot may be linked to a lower risk of stroke or death after a hospital stay.
In a study that spanned 11 years, researchers in Denmark followed the recovery of nearly 90,000 patients age 65 and over after they left intensive care. The patients who had received flu shots before their illness fared better in the year after their hospital stay. That first year is a crucial time when patients are at high risk for death or life-threatening complications, researchers said.
People who had received flu shots:
- Had a 16% lower risk of stroke.
- Had an 8% lower risk of dying the year after the illness.
- Had fewer serious complications overall.
This was true even when the patients with flu shots had more chronic illnesses and took more medicines than those who skipped the flu shot.
Given the safety and low cost of flu shots, researchers said more adults over 65 should get vaccinated. Although they cautioned that it was not yet clear the flu shot was solely responsible for the better outcomes, they believe it may play a significant role.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends a flu shot for everyone 6 months and older. But it's especially important for people 65 and older. They are at high risk of developing complications from the flu. Yet only 69% of seniors get the flu shot, according to CDC.
The study was published in the journal Intensive Care Medicine.
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