Does the flu vaccine extend life? What studies say
Vaccination against influenza helps reduce the risk of severe illness, complications, and death. Some studies have also observed that Alzheimer's disease is less common among vaccinated elderly people. However, these results do not prove that vaccination will definitely make a person live to 100 years.
Does the flu vaccine extend life? What studies say
In the presented article, Russian expert Gennady Onishchenko included annual vaccination against influenza among the measures that contribute to longevity, along with a healthy diet, physical activity, and giving up bad habits.
Professor Igor Nikitin, scientific advisor to the "Natsimbio" holding, also explained the potential long-term benefits of the vaccine by protection against infection and its complications.
However, the idea of "extending life up to 100 years" cannot be accepted as a definite clinical outcome. The cited studies evaluate specific diseases and risks, and do not guarantee how many years a person will live.
Flu can worsen chronic diseases
According to the World Health Organization, in some cases, influenza leads to pneumonia and sepsis, and worsens the course of existing chronic diseases.
The risk of severe complications is higher in the elderly, pregnant women, young children, and individuals with chronic diseases or weakened immune systems. Therefore, protecting these groups from infection is of particular importance.
According to Nikitin's explanation, the inflammation that occurs during the immune response to infection places an additional burden on the body. However, this is not enough to conclude that the vaccine stops the aging process or rejuvenates.
Risk to the heart also increases
The link between influenza and cardiovascular complications has been observed in studies.
In a 2018 Canadian study published in the New England Journal of Medicine, hospitalizations for heart attacks within seven days of laboratory-confirmed influenza were approximately six times higher than during the control period.
This result shows that influenza can also pose a serious risk to the heart. However, this does not mean that everyone who gets the flu will have a heart attack.
How to understand the results about Alzheimer's?
A study published in 2022 analyzed the medical data of people aged 65 and older. During a four-year follow-up period, those who received at least one flu vaccine were 40 percent less likely to develop Alzheimer's disease compared to those who were unvaccinated.