According to a recent study conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), staying up to date on COVID-19 vaccines can significantly reduce the risk of COVID-related strokes, blood clots, and heart attacks by approximately 50% in individuals aged 65 years or older and those with pre-existing conditions that make them more vulnerable to these events.

Published in the CDC's Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, the study provides reassuring evidence that the COVID-19 vaccines do not increase the likelihood of thromboembolic events, as previously feared. In early 2023, the CDC and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) reported a safety signal suggesting a potential link between mRNA COVID-19 vaccines and strokes in individuals aged 65 and older. However, subsequent data analysis and studies have debunked this association.

For the analysis, researchers primarily focused on two patient groups - 12.7 million Medicare beneficiaries aged 65 and older and approximately 78,600 Medicare beneficiaries aged 18 and older with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) on dialysis. The study compared the rates of thromboembolic events between those who received a bivalent COVID-19 booster dose and those who had only received the original monovalent vaccine.

Among the 12.7 million older patients, approximately 45% had received the bivalent booster, making them up to date on their COVID-19 vaccinations. The remaining 55% had only received the original vaccine. The study found that individuals who were up to date on their shots had a 47% reduced risk of COVID-related thromboembolic events, including strokes, blood clots, and heart attacks.

A sub-analysis conducted on the group of 78,600 patients with ESRD revealed that the vaccines were 51% effective in preventing thromboembolic events in this population. However, effectiveness slightly decreased over time.

The study, though with limitations, concluded that the bivalent vaccine dose provided protection against COVID-19-related thromboembolic events compared to receiving only the original monovalent doses. The authors recommend that adults, especially older individuals and those with underlying health conditions, should prioritize staying up to date with recommended COVID-19 vaccinations to prevent COVID-19-related complications, including thromboembolic events.

It is important to note that this study cannot account for previous COVID-19 infections or consider other confounding factors. Nevertheless, the findings reinforce the continued importance of COVID-19 vaccination in mitigating the risks associated with severe COVID-19 illness in older adults and vulnerable populations.

As the world continues to battle the ongoing pandemic, staying informed and following vaccination guidelines is crucial to protecting oneself and others from the virus.