By Paul Goldfinger, MD: Fellow American College of Cardiology. Blogfinger.net.
This is an important REMINDER about vaccinations for heart patients, but it is not comprehensive. Be sure to check with your doctor.
The American College of Cardiology says, “Patients with cardiovascular disease are at high risk for severe illness and complications, hospitalization and death following illness with vaccine-preventable infections.”
They say that “Vaccines reduce the risk of severe illness complications such as heart attack and strokes.”
A public health concern is that “Routine vaccination is an effective way to prevent infection; however immunization rates for adults remain low in the US and are declining.”
“Only 1 in 4 adults have received recommended vaccines.”
VACCINES RECOMMENDED FOR PATIENTS WITH HEART DISEASE:
- Influenza: Annual for all persons aged 6 months or more. Best in October.
- Pneumococcal. 1 time vaccination with PCV20 or PCV21 for adults age 19 years and more.
- COVID-19. Initial and 2024-2025 vaccine for persons aged 6 months or more.
- RSV. (Respiratory Syncytial Virus): 1 time vaccination for adults age 60 or more
- Zoster: 2 doses of recombinant zoster vaccine 2-6months apart for those adults aged 50 or more.
Check with your doctor yearly regarding your vaccination status.
This is not a comprehensive source of information. I am summarizing the “ACC Reference Guide to Vaccines” for physicians which recommends evidence-based advice for patients with heart disease.
Keep a record of your vaccinations.