This Article Free upon publication Full Text Full Text (PDF) Correction (v114,pe616) All Versions of this Article: 114/14/1549    most recent CIRCULATIONAHA.106.178242v1 Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Citation Map Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Request Permissions Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Davis, M. M. Articles by Krumholz, H. M. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Davis, M. M. Articles by Krumholz, H. M. Related Collections Epidemiology Secondary prevention

(Circulation. 2006;114:1549-1553.)
© 2006 American Heart Association, Inc.

AHA/ACC Science Advisory

Influenza Vaccination as Secondary Prevention for Cardiovascular Disease

A Science Advisory From the American Heart Association/American College of Cardiology: Endorsed by the American Association of Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation, the American Association of Critical Care Nurses, the American Association of Heart Failure Nurses, the American Diabetes Association, the Association of Black Cardiologists, Inc., the Heart Failure Society of America, and the Preventive Cardiovascular Nurses Association.: The American Academy of Nurse Practitioners supports the recommendations of this scientific advisory.: This science advisory is consistent with the recommendations of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices.

Matthew M. Davis, MD, MAPP; Kathryn Taubert, PhD, FAHA; Andrea L. Benin, MD; David W. Brown, MSPH, MSc; George A. Mensah, MD, FAHA, FACC; Larry M. Baddour, MD; Sandra Dunbar, RN, DSN, FAHA; Harlan M. Krumholz, MD, FAHA, FACC

Evidence from cohort studies and a randomized clinical trial indicates that annual vaccination against seasonal influenza prevents cardiovascular morbidity and all-cause mortality in patients with cardiovascular conditions. The American Heart Association and American College of Cardiology recommend influenza immunization with inactivated vaccine (administered intramuscularly) as part of comprehensive secondary prevention in persons with coronary and other atherosclerotic vascular disease (Class I, Level B). Immunization with live, attenuated vaccine (administered intranasally) is not currently recommended for persons with cardiovascular conditions. It is important to note that influenza vaccination coverage levels overall and in this population remain well below national goals and are marked by disparities across different age and ethnic groups. One of the barriers to vaccination for patients with cardiovascular disease is that cardiology practices frequently do not stock and administer influenza vaccine. Healthcare providers who treat individuals with cardiovascular disease can help improve influenza vaccination coverage rates by providing and strongly recommending vaccination to their patients before and throughout the influenza season.

Key Words: AHA Scientific Statements • cardiovascular diseases • influenza, human • influenza vaccines

This article has been cited by other articles:

				P. A. Marsden Inflammation and Coagulation in the Cardiovascular System: The Contribution of Influenza Circ. Res., November 24, 2006; 99(11): 1152 - 1153. [Full Text] [PDF]