The recent announcement of a US$40 million grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to support production of new messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) vaccines in Africa presents opportunities to boost clinical trials and strengthen a potential foundation of the continents health care landscape. AnmRNA vaccine uses a copy of a molecule called messengerRNA(mRNA) to produce an immune response.1
Image credit: Media Lens King | stock.adobe.com
Closing the Gap in Vaccine Equity
Africa has long grappled with concerns over clinical trials, particularly in the context of vaccine development. The perception that Africans are exploited as subjects in drug testing has persisted, despite the fact that less than 3% of global clinical trials take place in Africa.2 This underrepresentation is largely due to a lack of capacity, infrastructure and access for such trials. With a rapidly growing population of almost 1.5 billion people, opportunities abound.
Clinical trials are essential for modern medicine, allowing scientists to rigorously assess the safety and efficacy of pharmaceutical products.3 The global clinical trials market is valued at over $48.2 billion in 2023 and expected to grow to $73.2 billion within the next 5 years.4 The vast majority of trials are conducted in Western countries.
The $40 million grant Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to support mRNA vaccine development will contribute to addressing these issues, with a primary focus on improving vaccine equity in Africa.5 This commitment acknowledges the need for Africa to take an active role in vaccine development, production, and distribution, thus ensuring timely access to life-saving vaccines.
A Catalyst for Health Care Innovation
The grant allocates $5 million each to Institut Pasteur in Dakar and Biovac in South Africa, which will employ an mRNA research and manufacturing platform developed by Belgium-based Quantoom Biosciences.5 An additional $20 million will be provided to Quantoom to further advance the technology and lower costs and the remaining $10 million is earmarked for companies yet to be named.5
Unlike previous COVID-19 mRNA vaccines that received expedited emergency approval, future vaccines developed in Africa are likely to follow a more extended timeline of 3 to 7 years. This approach aims to ensure the safety and effectiveness of vaccines tailored to the health care needs of the African population.
By investing in an ecosystem for pharmaceutical research and vaccine production, the grant sets the stage to strengthen back and forward linkages for Africa to address future health care challenges with increased self-reliance.
Empowering Local Vaccine Production
Africa has long relied on foreign sources for vaccines, often experiencing delays and difficulties in accessing immunizations.6 The grant signifies a shift toward local vaccine production and a reduction in dependence on external sources. This transition aligns with the African Union's Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Plan for Africa, which seeks to promote domestic pharmaceutical production.7
Promoting Collaborations
The grant also provides a bridge for collaborations between African institutions and global health care leaders. These partnerships can facilitate knowledge exchange, technology transfer, and capacity building. Established institutions such as the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, the Pasteur Institute, and the University of California, San Francisco, have already developed productive collaborations with African counterparts. The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation's grant is poised to strengthen connections of this nature and create a network of healthcare experts working together to improve healthcare in Africa.
Visionary Future for African Health Care
The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation's $40 million grant is a substantial step forward for African health care. It underscores a commitment to vaccine equity, health care innovation, and self-reliance. The grant offers Africa an opportunity to strengthen vaccine development and production, fostering an ecosystem for health care innovations that meet local needs.
Investments of this nature can prove transformative and represent more than just financial supportthey provide beacons of hope for a healthier Africa. By strengthening the continent's health care infrastructure, promoting local vaccine production, and facilitating global collaborations, the grant represents an important milestone toward better health care for all Africans.
References
1. Schlake T, Thess A, Fotin-Mleczek M, Kallen KJ. Developing mRNA-vaccine technologies. RNA Biol. 2012;9(11):1319-1330. doi:10.4161/rna.22269
2. FHI Clinical. Increasing Clinical Research in Africa Presents An Opportunity to Address Global Health Challenges. Accessed November 29, 2023. https://www.fhiclinical.com/increasing-clinical-research-in-africa-presents-an-opportunity-to-address-global-health-challenges/
3. Jager W. The importance of clinical trials in advancing medical research. Annals of Clinical Trials and Vaccines Research. 2023;13(3).
4. Markets and Markets. Clinical Trials Market by Phase (Phase I, II, III), Service Type (Laboratory, Analytical Testing, Patient Recruitment, Protocol Designing), Therapeutic Area (Oncology, Cardiology, Neurology), and Application (Vaccine, mAbs, CGT) Global Forecast to 2028. September 2023. Accessed November 29, 2023. https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/Market-Reports/clinical-trials-market-405.html?gclid=Cj0KCQjw4bipBhCyARIsAFsieCyely7rdTVx0I35EsURLb3ljVBsoG4tehKqnI5oDmYgCscG9BR8y64aAlaWEALw_wcB
5. Candid. Gates Foundation commits $40 million for mRNA vaccines in Africa. October 14, 2023. Accessed November 29, 2023. https://philanthropynewsdigest.org/news/gates-foundation-commits-40-million-for-mrna-vaccines-in-africa
6. Sidib M. Vaccine inequity: Ensuring Africa is not left out. Brookings. January 24, 2022. Accessed November 29, 2023. https://www.brookings.edu/articles/vaccine-inequity-ensuring-africa-is-not-left-out/
7. Byaruhanga J. The Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Plan for Africa. AUDA-NEPAD. August 24, 2020. Accessed November 29, 2023. https://www.nepad.org/news/pharmaceutical-manufacturing-plan-africa#:~:text=The%20PMPA%20is%20designed%20to,benefits%20through%20sustainability%2C%20competitiveness%2C%20and
About the Author
Christopher Burke is the Managing Director of WMC Africa, a public relations and marketing agency based in Kampala, Uganda. Christopher has a strong background in communications, public health, governance and development with 30 years experience based in Africa and East Asia.
The Coastal Health District is holding various vaccination incentive events throughout the month of December to encourage residents to get the updated COVID-19 vaccine. Everyone age 6 months and older who has not already received the updated COVID vaccine is eligible.The updated COVID vaccines by Pfizer and Moderna were released in September of this year. The Coastal Health District says the vaccines provide protection against COVID variants that are currently circulating. CHD said receiving an updated COVID vaccination significantly reduces your risk of severe complications and hospitalization from COVID infection.In Chatham County, vaccine incentive events will be held Dec. 12 and 14 at the clinic at 1395 Eisenhower Drive and are by appointment only. Anyone with an appointment who is vaccinated at one of the events will receive a $100 Walmart gift card. The Chatham County Health Department offers the COVID vaccine by Pfizer.To make an appointment for the events in Chatham County, visit https://coastalhealthdistrict.as.me/incentive-event to schedule online or call the health department at 912-356-2441.In Bryan County, a vaccine incentive event will be held by appointment only on Dec. 14 from 8:30 11:30 a.m. at both Bryan County Health Department locations. Anyone with an appointment who is vaccinated at the event will receive a $100 Walmart gift card. The Bryan County Health Department offers the COVID vaccine by Moderna. To make an appointment for the Bryan County event, call the Richmond Hill clinic at 912-756-2611 or the Pembroke clinic at 912-653-4333 during clinic hours.In Effingham County, the vaccine incentive event is by appointment only and will be held Dec. 5 at the clinic at 802 Hwy 119 South in Springfield. Anyone with an appointment who is vaccinated at the event will receive a $100 Walmart gift card. The Effingham County Health Department offers the COVID vaccine by Moderna.To make an appointment for the event in Effingham County, visit https://coastalhealthdistrict.as.me/effingham-incentiveday to schedule online or call the health department at 912-754-6484 during clinic hours.In Liberty County, the vaccine incentive event is by appointment only and will be held Dec. 8 from 8 a.m. 1 p.m. at the clinic at 1113 East Oglethorpe Highway in Hinesville. Anyone with an appointment who is vaccinated at the event will receive a $100 retail gift card. The Liberty County Health Department offers the COVID vaccine by Moderna.To make an appointment for the event in Liberty County, visit https://coastalhealthdistrict.as.me/liberty-incentiveday to schedule online or call the health department at 912-876-2173 during clinic hours.In Long County, the vaccine incentive event is by appointment only and will be held Dec. 21 from 8 a.m. 11:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. - 5:30 p.m. at the clinic at 584 North Macon St. in Ludowici. Anyone with an appointment who is vaccinated at the event will receive a $100 retail gift card. The Long County Health Department offers the COVID vaccine by Moderna.To make an appointment for the event in Long County, visit https://coastalhealthdistrict.as.me/long-incentiveday to schedule online or call the health department at 912-545-2107 during clinic hours.In McIntosh County, the vaccine incentive event is by appointment only and will be held Dec. 14 from 1 p.m. - 6 p.m. at the clinic at 1335 Georgia Hwy 57 in Townsend. Anyone with an appointment who is vaccinated at the event will receive a $100 retail gift card. The McIntosh County Health Department offers the COVID vaccine by Moderna.To make an appointment for the event in McIntosh County, visit https://coastalhealthdistrict.as.me/mcintosh-incentiveday to schedule online or call the health department at 912-832-5473.The cost of COVID vaccination is covered by many insurance plans at no cost to the patient. For individuals without health insurance coverage, a federal program will cover the cost of vaccination. For a full list of vaccination incentive events, visit coastalhealthdistrict.org/incentive.
The Coastal Health District is holding various vaccination incentive events throughout the month of December to encourage residents to get the updated COVID-19 vaccine.
Everyone age 6 months and older who has not already received the updated COVID vaccine is eligible.
The updated COVID vaccines by Pfizer and Moderna were released in September of this year. The Coastal Health District says the vaccines provide protection against COVID variants that are currently circulating. CHD said receiving an updated COVID vaccination significantly reduces your risk of severe complications and hospitalization from COVID infection.
In Chatham County, vaccine incentive events will be held Dec. 12 and 14 at the clinic at 1395 Eisenhower Drive and are by appointment only. Anyone with an appointment who is vaccinated at one of the events will receive a $100 Walmart gift card. The Chatham County Health Department offers the COVID vaccine by Pfizer.
To make an appointment for the events in Chatham County, visit https://coastalhealthdistrict.as.me/incentive-event to schedule online or call the health department at 912-356-2441.
In Bryan County, a vaccine incentive event will be held by appointment only on Dec. 14 from 8:30 11:30 a.m. at both Bryan County Health Department locations. Anyone with an appointment who is vaccinated at the event will receive a $100 Walmart gift card. The Bryan County Health Department offers the COVID vaccine by Moderna.
To make an appointment for the Bryan County event, call the Richmond Hill clinic at 912-756-2611 or the Pembroke clinic at 912-653-4333 during clinic hours.
In Effingham County, the vaccine incentive event is by appointment only and will be held Dec. 5 at the clinic at 802 Hwy 119 South in Springfield. Anyone with an appointment who is vaccinated at the event will receive a $100 Walmart gift card. The Effingham County Health Department offers the COVID vaccine by Moderna.
To make an appointment for the event in Effingham County, visit https://coastalhealthdistrict.as.me/effingham-incentiveday to schedule online or call the health department at 912-754-6484 during clinic hours.
In Liberty County, the vaccine incentive event is by appointment only and will be held Dec. 8 from 8 a.m. 1 p.m. at the clinic at 1113 East Oglethorpe Highway in Hinesville. Anyone with an appointment who is vaccinated at the event will receive a $100 retail gift card. The Liberty County Health Department offers the COVID vaccine by Moderna.
To make an appointment for the event in Liberty County, visit https://coastalhealthdistrict.as.me/liberty-incentiveday to schedule online or call the health department at 912-876-2173 during clinic hours.
In Long County, the vaccine incentive event is by appointment only and will be held Dec. 21 from 8 a.m. 11:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. - 5:30 p.m. at the clinic at 584 North Macon St. in Ludowici. Anyone with an appointment who is vaccinated at the event will receive a $100 retail gift card. The Long County Health Department offers the COVID vaccine by Moderna.
To make an appointment for the event in Long County, visit https://coastalhealthdistrict.as.me/long-incentiveday to schedule online or call the health department at 912-545-2107 during clinic hours.
In McIntosh County, the vaccine incentive event is by appointment only and will be held Dec. 14 from 1 p.m. - 6 p.m. at the clinic at 1335 Georgia Hwy 57 in Townsend. Anyone with an appointment who is vaccinated at the event will receive a $100 retail gift card. The McIntosh County Health Department offers the COVID vaccine by Moderna.
To make an appointment for the event in McIntosh County, visit https://coastalhealthdistrict.as.me/mcintosh-incentiveday to schedule online or call the health department at 912-832-5473.
The cost of COVID vaccination is covered by many insurance plans at no cost to the patient. For individuals without health insurance coverage, a federal program will cover the cost of vaccination.
For a full list of vaccination incentive events, visit coastalhealthdistrict.org/incentive.
MISSOULA A vaccine for tuberculosis exists, but TB is still the 2nd leading infectious killer in the world after COVID-19, according to the World Health Organization.
With a $12.3 million contract from the National Institutes of Health, researchers at the University of Montana are hoping to improve the vaccine for TB and positively influence global health, the Daily Montanan reports.
Last month, the Missoula flagship announced UM and its research partners were awarded a five-year contract to develop a new adjuvant to be used with the TB vaccine.
Adjuvants are substances that boost the effectiveness of vaccines, and UMs Center for Translational Medicine has a couple of decades worth of work on those substances.
This funding represents tremendous support for our continuous research efforts in advancing safe and efficient adjuvants and formulation strategies for further development of vaccine candidates against TB, said Walid Abdelwahab, a co-principal investigator on the project, in a statement. This contract is a strong endorsement of our exceptional vaccine research team at UM.
Earlier this fall, UM announced a separate vaccine project to prevent overdosing on fentanyl and heroin is headed for human trials in early 2024. That work came out of the separate $33.4 million NIH contract inked several years ago.
The most recent contract, for the work on TB, allows the development and clinical evaluation of safe and effective adjuvants to help the threat of infection around the world, said Jay Evans, director of the Center for Translational Medicine and co-principal investigator.
In 2022 alone, the World Health Organization said 1.3 million people died from TB, but tuberculosis is curable and preventable.
TB affects a significant portion of the global population, and the only licensed vaccine, BCG, has limited effectiveness, Evans said. Thus, the development of an effective vaccine is critical to end the global TB epidemic.
The UM research will involve both undergraduate and graduate students, offering them a chance to improve global health, the university said.
There is extraordinary research ongoing at UM that could positively impact the lives of countless people, Evans said.
The project also includes researchers from the University of Chicago, the Texas Biomedical Research Institute, and Missoula-based Inimmune Corp., a corporate development partner of UM.
Inimmune is a biotech company located at the universitys business incubator, MonTEC. UM said it will assist with vaccine manufacturing efforts and advancement of this new technology to human clinical trials.
Daily Montanan is part of States Newsroom, a network of news bureaus supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Daily Montanan maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Darrell Ehrlick for questions: info@dailymontanan.com. Follow Daily Montanan on Facebook and Twitter.
Armed with a full FDA approval after four years of supplying its anthrax vaccine under a pre-emergency use authorization, Emergent BioSolutions is expanding its countermeasure supply pact with the United States.
The nations Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA) is laying out $75 million to exercise an option on an existing deal for additional doses of Emergents two-dose anthrax shot Cyfendus, according to a securities filing.
The FDA signed off on Emergents vaccineformerly known as AV7909in July. Prior to the shots formal green light, Emergent had been furnishing the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services with the product since 2019.
The immunization includes anthrax vaccine absorbed (AVA) and an adjuvant and is administered as two doses over 14 days. Its intended for post-exposure prophylaxis in adults 18 to 65.
Under the newly modified deal, deliveries of Cyfendus are expected to begin this year and wrap up by the end of March 2024, Emergent said. The company did not specify how many doses its supplying to the U.S.
BARDA and Emergent first extended their partnership to develop and manufacture Cyfendus back in 2016. After submitting a pre-emergency use authorization package in December 2018, Emergent delivered the first pre-EUA doses of Cyfendus to the U.S. government in 2019.
For years, supplying medical countermeasures to the government has formed Emergents bread-and-butter business. Aside from its anthrax shot, Emergent produces vaccines for smallpox and Ebola, as well as the popular opioid overdose reversal agent Narcan.
Emergents 4mg Narcan nasal spray, for its part, won a historic over-the-counter approval back in March, teeing up direct-to-consumer sales at places like drug stores, convenience stores, supermarkets and gas stations.
Meanwhile, big changes have been brewing at Emergent this year. In late June, Emergents long-time CEO Robert Kramer stepped down from all his posts, lining up an interim replacement in Haywood Miller, the managing director of Berkely Research Group.
Come August, Emergent announced it was de-emphasizing its CDMO services business to shore up its work on core medical countermeasures and Narcan. In turn, the company unveiled plans to eliminate its chief operating officer and ax hundreds of jobs.
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Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, Public Health Specialist Lucy Pam Dangyang endeavored to bring vaccines to hard-to-reach communities in the Riyom and Kanam local government areas of Nigeria's Plateau State. The goal for the 25-year-immunization veteran: bringing both COVID-19 vaccines along with routine immunizations to areas that had not received vaccines before. The effort, she recalls now, was her proudest professional accomplishment to date, as it was the first time she reached and vaccinated zero-dose children. "I was so happy because that was the first time [the community members] were able to accept vaccination," she says.
In the wake of COVID-19, however, Lucy noticed that many children born during the height of the pandemic missed out on routine childhood immunizations. This led to a diphtheria outbreak in the country, she says, and she has also encountered increasing amounts of young children with measles. "I find out that in communities where you find poor surveillance activities, you will see a gap [in] routine immunization."
So Lucy enrolled in the firstCOVID-19 Recovery for Routine Immunization Programs Fellowship, a joint program from Sabin Vaccine Institute and the World Health Organization to support those attempting to catch up communities that fell behind on immunizations during the pandemic. The program inspired her to design a catch-up vaccination plan addressing hard-to-reach rural populations, including one community in particular lives on a mountain that is difficult to get to, especially considering the limited number of health workers in the area.
Lucy and her team have found success by integrating routine vaccination and COVID-19 vaccination services together with other health services, such as tuberculosis testing. When people come for tuberculosis testing, including mothers with babies, she says they end up being vaccinated while they are being tested. "Any opportunity we have, we want to integrate all these activities at the same time."
Those opportunities include setting up routine immunization activities at gathering sites like churches and mosques. Lucy and her team first meet with the religious leaders and ask for time to do some awareness-building during services. Then the team is able to conduct immunization activities afterwards. "The religious leaders, who we call the stakeholders, are a role model, in the sense that they will come up and volunteer to get the vaccine, like COVID-19. Then others will follow and get vaccinated."
Lucy has been determined to reach zero-dose children since the early days in her career as a nurse working at a university teaching hospital and seeing young babies die of vaccine-preventable diseases. "It wasn't good. It is an experience that will make somebody, as a mother, want to try and help other children." She went on to earn a master's degree in epidemiology "so that I can know the intricacies of the diseases."
Today Lucy continues her efforts to reach zero-dose children and has contributed to preparations for the recent roll-out of the human papilloma virus (HPV) vaccine for adolescent girls in Nigeria. Vaccine hesitancy, she says, is a continuing issue. "When we have a new vaccine, there's always a lot of hesitancy, a lot of rumors, like it will reduce your lifespan or cause sterility." She hopes to incorporate HPV vaccine introduction into her catch-up immunization plan.
Lucy joined Sabin's online Boost Community for immunization professional development this year, and says she is grateful for the continuing knowledge and support she gains through Boost. "Boost has really helped me to raise awareness [about] vaccination. When you have knowledge of something, you'll be bold to speak on it to raise awareness in the community through their engagement."
This article was originally published by Sabin Vaccine Institute on 15 November 2023.
COVID-19 booster vaccines were introduced to improve the efficacy of vaccinations; however, the success varied across patients with hematologic malignancies. Further, the Omicron variant puts individuals at a higher risk for contracting COVID-19 because of its higher infection rate. A study published in Cancer Medicine evaluated the outcomes of patients with hematologic malignancies during the COVID-19 Omicron outbreak, and how the availability of vaccine boosters and antiviral treatments would impact the patients outcomes.
Image credit: Zoran Zeremski | stock.adobe.com
This retrospective study included patients 18 years of age and older with hematologic malignancies (e.g., lymphoma, plasma cell neoplasms, etc.) during the Omicron outbreak, with data collection starting January 2022. They enrolled 116 patients with hematologic malignancies who were recruited from 2 medical centers and had to have a COVID-19 diagnosis confirmed by a real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test or an institutional supervised rapid antigen test. Further, the majority of enrolled patients (n = 106; 91%) were vaccinated with the BNT162b2 mRNA vaccine, with 2, 3, and 4 doses in 12%, 44%, and 33% of patients, respectively.
Hematologic diagnoses included both lymphoma (non-Hodgkin and Hodgkin lymphoma; n = 33, 28%), chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL; n = 22, 19%), plasma cell neoplasms (n = 24, 21%), and myeloid neoplasms (n = 37, 32%). Approximately 80% of patients reported 1 or more comorbidities, the most common being hypertension (49%), cardiovascular disease (19%), and diabetes mellitus (16%). At the time of their COVID-19 diagnoses, 13% of patients were treatment-nave, 61% were on active hematologic treatment, and 30% were previously treated for their hematologic diseases.
In addition, 78% of patients contracted COVID-19 between January and February 2022, and the remaining 22% contracted COVID-19 between March and April 2022. Further, severe COVID-19 cases were reported only during the first period, with 2 patients being hospitalized due to their COVID-19 infection. Severe COVID-19 infection was commonly associated with older age (>65 years of age), more than 1 comorbidity, and cardiovascular disease. Patients with CLL had a higher risk of developing severe COVID-19, whereas patients with myeloid neoplasms had the lowest risk. Approximately 26% of patients who were receiving active treatment for their hematologic malignancies had to pause treatment at the time of their COVID-19 infection, with the median time off being 10 days (range: 7 to 14 days).
There were no recorded associations between severe COVID-19 infection and vaccination status (vaccinated compared to unvaccinated) or the number of given doses (up to 2 vs 3 and 4 doses); however, patients who had received a vaccine dose between 7 and 90 days prior to COVID-19 infection were significantly less likely to develop severe COVID-19 infection. Further, antiviral COVID-19 therapies were given to approximately 44% of patients. Administration occurred within 5 days of infection onset in high-risk patients, and treatments included nirmatrelvir and ritonavir (n = 35; 69%), molnupiravir (n = 13; 25%), and short-course remdesivir (n = 3, 6%).
The investigators note that active hematologic treatment or specific treatment groups were not correlated with COVID-19 severity. In addition, no association was seen between severe COVID-19 infection and exposure to anti-CD20 antibodies, and according to the study authors, this finding is similar to prior research conducted during the Omicron outbreak. In addition, the potential reason for a lack of association between anti-CD20 therapy and COVID-19 infection during the Omicron outbreak could be a sustained response from vaccine administration prior to the initiation of therapy combined with preserved cellular response.
A limitation of the study is the small sample size, as it could have affected the investigators ability to detect more significant findings. Further, the authors note that the severity of hematologic outcomes, although noted prior to COVID-19 infection, could be an additional adverse effect of COVID-19 infection. The authors note that a 3-month period of increased vaccine efficacy can assist when determining the ideal timing for re-vaccination in high-risk populations.
Reference
Gutwein, O,Herzog K,Apel, A, et al.Timing of BNT162b2 vaccine prior to COVID-19 infection, influence disease severity in patients with hematologic malignancies: Results from a cohort study.Cancer Med.2023;00:1-8. doi:10.1002/cam4.6397
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People who get the flu vaccine may have improved heart health, according to a recent study published in Scientific Reports.
Researchers from the Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences in Tehran, Iran, concluded that patients who received flu vaccinations had a 26% reduced risk of having a heart attack and were 33% less likely to die from cardiovascular disease.
This finding is based on a review of five randomized controlled trials that focused on myocardial disease and influenza vaccines.
CHILDHOOD PNEUMONIA SURGE REPORTED IN NETHERLANDS AMID OUTBREAK IN CHINA
The patients who participated in the studies had all been diagnosed with cardiovascular disease previously and were 61 years old, on average.
Out of the total of 9,059 patients, 4,529 of them received the flu vaccine, while 4,530 received a placebo shot.
People who get the flu vaccine may have improved heart health, according to a recent study published in Scientific Reports. (iStock)
After a nine-month period, 621 of the people who received the placebo shot experienced "major cardiovascular events," compared to 517 of the patients who received the flu vaccine.
Those outcomes included myocardial infarction, cardiovascular death and stroke.
WHEN MEASURING HEART ATTACK RISK, ONE IMPORTANT RED FLAG IS OFTEN OVERLOOKED, DOCTORS SAY
"Revealing a compelling insight into the potential benefits of influenza vaccination, our comprehensive meta-analysis, based on the latest randomized controlled trial data, demonstrates a significant interaction between influenza vaccination and the reduction of major cardiovascular events," wrote the researchers of the study.
"Notably, patients who received the influenza vaccine experienced a remarkable risk reduction of over 20% in cardiovascular death."
Patients who received flu vaccinations had a 26% reduced risk of having a heart attack and were 33% less likely to die from cardiovascular disease. (Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
As for why influenza vaccines seem to reduce the risk, the researchers noted that the shot could prevent inflammation and secondary infections, while also stabilizing plaque amounts in the heart.
The vaccine could also help stimulate the immune system, which the study authors noted is essential for cardiovascular health.
SHOULD YOU GET THE COVID AND FLU VACCINES AT THE SAME TIME?
Dr. Marc Siegel, clinical professor of medicine at NYU Langone Medical Center and a Fox News medical contributor, called the study "important" and said it "builds on what we already knew."
He was not involved in the research.
Heart disease is the primary cause of death among U.S. adults, killing one person every 33 seconds, according to the CDC. (iStock)
"It is not surprising that flu shots would decrease the risk of heart attacks," Siegel told Fox News Digital.
"The flu is one of the great enablers," he went on. "It adds stress and inflammation to the body and decreases the overall immune response, all of which can lead to acute cardiac events."
The flu "adds stress and inflammation to the body and decreases the overall immune response."
The researchers called for further research to "elucidate the precise mechanisms driving this association and to explore the long-term impact of influenza vaccination on cardiovascular outcomes."
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In the meantime, they recommended that "health care providers and policymakers should take heed of these findings and consider prioritizing influenza vaccination for patients with recent cardiovascular disease as a feasible and potentially life-saving preventive measure."
Fox News Digital reached out to the study authors for additional comment.
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Heart disease is the primary cause of death among U.S. adults, killing one person every 33 seconds, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
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Pharmacies, clinics, and primary care providers are offering the 2023-2024 updated covid booster and this years flu vaccineand its both safe and convenient to get both vaccines at the same time, according to medical experts.
In fact, you can get both shots in the same arm, said Dr. Graham Snyder, medical director of infection prevention and hospital epidemiology at UPMC.
There is no compelling evidence that either the effectiveness of either vaccine, or the risk of having a complication or side effects, is any different if you take them together or if you take them separately, said Snyder.
The CDC says that getting your respiratory virus vaccines together is perfectly fine, he said. We always want to make sure as many people as possible are availing themselves of these two protections.
Both vaccines sometimes have minor side effects, like a sore arm or body aches, but they shouldnt last more than a few days, Snyder added.
When we inject your arm (and it gets sore,) that is the blood flowing to that area, and that is your immune response in that area, just like if you get stung by a bee or if you get bitten by something, explained Dr. Brian Lamb, internal medicine physician at AHN. Your immune system is going to that area. Your body is detecting something foreign in that area so its going to investigate and see whats going on.
Aches and slight feverishness after the shots are a sign that your immune system is doing its job and learning how to fight the flu and covid, Lamb said. If you dont have symptoms, that doesnt mean the vaccine did not worksome people react differently and have milder symptoms.
Its kind of like putting your body through boot camp, he said. The vaccine is made to mimic that youre already under attackIts the same type of symptoms you get when you are sick. Its because your immune system is starting to rev up.
Keep updated
Whether a person gets the shots at the same time or on different visits, its important to keep updated, Snyder said.
People are more likely to get their full slate of vaccinations if they can get the ones that are safe and effective at the same time, Snyder said. Its more likely for people to get vaccinated if you can get them when its convenient. You risk people not coming back for that second visit.
Even if you previously got vaccinated for covid-19 or got your booster last year, this years vaccine is worth getting, said Dr. Barbara Nightingale, deputy director for clinical services at the Allegheny County Health Department.
(Covid and flu) are still leading causes of hospitalization and death, and it changes over time, Nightingale said. Even if you got the vaccine previously, the viruses change over time, and your immunity fades over time.
At the Allegheny County Immunization Clinic, people can get their flu and covid vaccines at the same time, along with a vaccine for RSV if they qualify.
A lot of people who are older would benefit from getting all of those, she said. You can actually get (covid, flu, and RSV shots) at the same visit, if you want.
Many people have been getting their covid and flu vaccines at the same time at the county clinic, she said.
Mostly its convenienceits one and done, she said. Some people prefer that if they have a little bit of side effects from it, they prefer to just have it all at one time. The vast majority, its because of convenience, that you only have to go to one visit.
Not too late
Its not too late to get a flu or covid vaccine for this year, Snyder emphasized.
Generally speaking for vaccines, it takes your body a couple weeks to get fully prepared, from the time you receive the vaccine until the immune system has had time to process that information. If you wait until influenza is already at its peak, youve missed the opportunity to fully protect yourself, he said.
Were starting to see the number of influenza cases pick up. There may still be a lot of time left in the seasonthere is plenty of time to have the benefits from the protection you get from the influenza vaccine. Its most definitely not too late.
Julia Maruca is a Tribune-Review staff writer. You can contact Julia at jmaruca@triblive.com.
