PARIS, Nov 11, 2008 (UPI via COMTEX) -- 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.
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