A patient receives an influenza vaccination in the build-up to the winter season. Photo: Getty ImagesMost people think of the annual influenza vaccination as a way to prevent an unpleasant week of fever, head colds, coughing, aches and pains. "This process can destabilise plaques, triggering rupture and clot formation, leading to a heart attack or stroke," he said. Despite the potential benefits of the influenza vaccination, coverage remained relatively low, he said. "Increasing uptake of the influenza vaccination, particularly among groups at higher cardiovascular risk, represents an important opportunity to improve health outcomes ..." he said.

Source: Otago Daily Times March 24, 2026 16:08 UTC