Influenza vaccination and reduction in hospitalizations for cardiac disease and stroke among the elderly

Vaccination against influenza can lower the risk of death from any cause in elderly people by up to 50%, according to a study of about 300,000 people 65 years old and older. It also reduces the risk of hospitalization for heart disease, stroke, and pneumonia, as well as influenza. Only 60% of the elderly people in this study had been vaccinated against influenza.