Protection that goes
beyond infection
Vaccines do more than prevent infectious diseases. By reducing infections like influenza, COVID-19 and shingles, they can also lower the risk of serious health complications including heart attack, dementia and sepsis, helping Canadians stay healthier for longer.
Explore how vaccines support long-term health ↓
Protecting your heart starts with preventing infection.
Influenza doesn't just make you feel miserable. It also places significant stress on the heart.
In the days and weeks after influenza infection, the risk of heart attack increases, especially among older adults and people living with chronic conditions.
Getting the influenza vaccine helps reduce that risk by preventing infection in the first place.
The influenza vaccine is associated with a 34% lower risk of major adverse cardiovascular events.
Studies suggest influenza vaccination may reduce heart attack risk by 15-45%, comparable to other established preventive measures.
Protecting the brain may begin with preventing shingles.
The recombinant shingles vaccine prevents more than 90% of shingles cases.
Researchers are also discovering another possible benefit. Early studies suggest shingles vaccination may reduce the risk of dementia and support healthier aging.
While more research is underway, these findings are encouraging.
The shingle vaccines can lower the risk of shingles by 90% and dementia by 17%
Research into dementia prevention is ongoing, but early evidence is promising.
Protecting against sepsis
Sepsis is a life-threatening condition that occurs when the body's response to infection begins damaging its own tissues and organs.
Many infections that commonly lead to sepsis—including influenza, COVID-19 and pneumococcal disease—are vaccine-preventable.
Because pneumonia is the leading cause of severe sepsis worldwide, preventing these infections can also reduce the risk of life-threatening complications.
Pneumonia is the leading cause of severe sepsis worldwide.
Infection → Pneumonia → Sepsis → Organ damage
Vaccines that help prevent pneumonia, including pneumococcal and influenza vaccines, can also help reduce the risk of sepsis by preventing infection before it becomes life-threatening.
Better health.
Better healthcare.
3.3 days
Longer hospital stays after heart attack following influenza
Vaccination protects more than individuals.
Preventing infections also reduces hospitalizations, complications and healthcare costs, helping keep Canada's healthcare system stronger.
Patients who experience heart attacks after influenza often have more severe outcomes and require more intensive care.