A recent study published in the British Medical Journal has shown that COVID-19 vaccines can significantly reduce the risk of heart failure and blood clots following COVID infection. The study, which included over 20 million people in Europe, found that vaccines including Moderna, Pfizer, AstraZeneca, and Johnson & Johnson were most effective at reducing these risks.
Researchers examined the impact of the vaccines on both the original strain of the virus and the Delta variant and found that COVID vaccines significantly reduced the risk of blood clots in veins by 78% within a month of vaccination, as well as reducing the risk of blood clots in arteries by 47% and heart failure by 55%. In addition, vaccines were found to reduce the risk of a blood clot in the vein by 47%, a blood clot in an artery by 28%, and heart failure by 39% in a six-month period following vaccination.
Dr. John Brownstein, chief innovation officer at Boston Children’s Hospital emphasized that while there is still some risk associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection compared to vaccination, it is important for individuals to get vaccinated to protect themselves from long-term health complications such as heart failure and blood clots. He also emphasized that it is essential for individuals to continue following public health guidelines such as wearing masks and practicing social distancing to further reduce their risk of contracting COVID-19.
