
VA data suggest COVID boosters curb heart risk in older veterans
A study using US Veterans Affairs records found the 2024-2025 COVID vaccine, given with the flu vaccine on the same day, was associated with lower risk of COVID-related major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) in more than one million veterans, particularly those 75 and older and with underlying conditions. Within eight months, relative vaccine effectiveness was 37.7% for all MACE, including a 57.9% lower risk of cardiovascular death, 38.5% lower risk of heart attack, and 41.9% lower risk of hospitalization for heart failure; stroke reduction was not statistically significant. The study is observational and cannot prove causation, and declines in COVID testing and infection severity may affect the links observed.












