Get vaccinated ahead of cold and flu season to protect heart health

Media release: Tuesday 24 March, 2026

Get vaccinated now to prepare for cold and flu season

The Heart Foundation is encouraging people to get vaccinated now ahead of cold and flu season to help look after their own health as well as protect people with cardiovascular disease (CVD).

Vaccination helps limit the spread of common respiratory viruses that can cause and/or worsen CVD, including influenza, COVID-19 and RSV.

Respiratory infections and CVD are linked as follows:

People with CVD are more likely catch a respiratory infection, and more likely to have serious complications from an infection.

• This includes a higher risk of needing to go to hospital, and in some cases, of dying.
• People with CVD can be 10 to 20 times more likely to catch RSV and up to 4 times more likely to end up in hospital with the infection.

Respiratory infections can lead to CVD.

• Viruses can cause inflammation in your body, placing strain on your heart which can lead to heart failure or an abnormal heartbeat.
• Viruses can also cause plaque (a fatty build up) in your blood vessels to be less stable, and this can cause a blockage and possible heart attack or stroke.
• Your chance of having a heart attack in the week following an infection is six times higher following flu, up to 11 times higher following RSV and between two to eight times higher following COVID-19.

Heart Foundation Chief Medical Adviser, Professor Garry Jennings AO, said vaccination was an easy way for people to limit the spread of these infections.

We encourage as many people as possible to get vaccinated to help protect themselves and their loved ones from the severe cardiovascular complications these viruses can cause,” Professor Jennings said. “Please talk with your GP or pharmacist about which vaccines would be most appropriate for you.”

Professor Garry Jennings AO

Chief Medical Adviser