New research published in JAMA Internal Medicine indicates that the coronavirus vaccine significantly reduced the risk of major cardiovascular events linked to COVID-19 by approximately 38 percent. This includes a notable decrease in strokes, heart attacks, and hospitalizations from heart disease, according to findings reported by The Washington Post. The study provides further evidence of the vaccine's broad protective benefits beyond preventing severe respiratory illness.
The comprehensive study, led by physician-scientist Ziyad Al-Aly at Washington University in St. Louis, analyzed health data from over one million U.S. veterans between 2024 and 2025. Researchers compared individuals who received the updated COVID-19 vaccine with those who did not, focusing on the occurrence of cardiovascular events following COVID-19 infection. The 37.7% lower risk was specifically observed for COVID-associated heart conditions.
The protective effects were most pronounced among individuals aged 75 and older, as well as those with pre-existing health conditions such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, or chronic lung disease. Beyond COVID-19-associated events, the vaccine also demonstrated a modest reduction in cardiovascular conditions, hospitalizations, and deaths from all causes, including those not directly linked to the virus.
Robert Califf, a cardiologist and former commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration, noted in an accompanying commentary that this finding aligns with a growing body of research suggesting various vaccinations can reduce the risk of chronic diseases. The mechanism is believed to be the vaccine's ability to prevent severe COVID-19 infections, which are known to trigger inflammation and damage to the cardiovascular system. This research reinforces the importance of vaccination in safeguarding public health against a spectrum of health problems.
