Flu Shots May Cut Risk of Blood Clots

A French study suggests influenza shots might reduce the risk of blood clots forming in veins by 26 percent.

“Our study suggests for the first time that vaccination against influenza may reduce the risk of venous thrombotic embolism,” said Dr. Joseph Emmerich, lead author of the study and a professor at the University Paris Descartes. “This protective effect was more pronounced before the age of 52 years.”

Venous thrombotic embolism is the formation of a blood clot in a vein. The condition is dangerous because the blood clot can break loose and travel through the circulatory system to the right side of the heart. From there it can go to the lungs and create a pulmonary embolism, which can be fatal.

The research was presented this week in New Orleans during the American Heart Association’s Scientific Sessions 2008.