People with heart conditions are at higher risk of complications from many viruses, such as the flu, pneumonia and COVID-19. Infections can harm your blood vessels and raise your risk of complications.
Vaccines will protect you against common illnesses and help you avoid serious outcomes.
Reasons to get vaccinated
Reduce your risk of complications: Patients with heart conditions face a higher risk of severe illness, hospitalization and death from infections such as flu, pneumonia and COVID-19.
Prevent heart-related events: Infections can cause heart attacks or strokes in people with heart conditions. Infections can worsen existing heart conditions. Vaccines lower the risk of these heart-related events.
Reduce hospitalizations: Vaccines reduce the chance of infections leading to hospital stays, especially for flu, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and pneumonia.
Boost your immune system: Heart failure and other chronic conditions weaken your immune system. Vaccines strengthen your body’s ability to fight off infections.
Improve quality of life: Staying up to date with vaccinations can lead to fewer infections, fewer complications and an overall better quality of life.
Protect others: Vaccinations help protect vulnerable people around you, such as the elderly and others with weakened immune systems.
Getting vaccinated is one of the easiest ways you can improve your cardiac outcomes.
Which vaccines should I get?
If you live in Canada, consider vaccination for these five common infectious diseases: COVID-19, influenza (flu), shingles, pneumonia and RSV. Individuals with a heart condition may be eligible for additional or early vaccination.
| Vaccines | Priority groups for early vaccination | Frequency |
| COVID-19 | Patients with heart conditions of all ages | Yearly |
| Influenza (flu) | Patients with heart conditions of all ages | Yearly |
| Shingles | Adults 50+ with heart conditions; others at 65+ | Two-dose series (some need a repeat) |
| Pneumococcal “pneumonia” | Adults 65+, and 18+ with chronic heart conditions | Single dose (some may need more) |
| RSV | Patients with heart conditions of all ages | Single dose |
All vaccines above can be administered by a physician, a primary care office or a pharmacist.
Most of these vaccines are covered by your province, but some people might need to pay a fee or purchase it, depending on your eligibility and location.
Learn more
Eligibility is reviewed yearly by your province and by risk factors. Ask your primary care provider or cardiologist for the most recent information.
Depending on your location, please refer to the local health resources available.