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REVIEW PAPER
 
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ABSTRACT
Introduction and objective:
Heart failure (HF) is a clinical syndrome resulting from structural or functional cardiac abnormalities that impair circulation. COVID-19, pneumococcal disease, and influenza exacerbate HF, increasing morbidity and mortality. Vaccination has been shown to mitigate these risks. The aim of the review is to assess the impact of influenza, pneumococcal, and COVID-19 vaccinations on HF patients, and their role in HF management.

Review methods:
A literature review was conducted using PubMed and Google Scholar. Search terms included ‘heart failure’, ‘vaccination’, ‘influenza’, ‘pneumococcal infection’, ‘COVID-19’, and related variations.

Brief description of the state of knowledge:
Airborne infections such as influenza, pneumococcal disease, and COVID-19, negatively impact HF outcomes, increasing mortality through myocardial injury, inflammation, and decompensation. Vaccination alleviates these effects: influenza vaccines lower hospitalization and mortality, pneumococcal vaccines reduce pneumonia-related complications and cardiovascular events, and COVID-19 vaccines decrease severe infections and improve survival. Combined vaccination strategies provide additional benefits, highlighting their essential role in HF management.

Summary:
HF patients benefit significantly from vaccination against influenza, pneumococcal infections, and COVID-19, which reduces hospitalization and mortality. However, further randomized clinical trials are needed to confirm the effectiveness of COVID-19 and pneumococcal vaccines in HF patients, as promising outcomes have been observed in broader cardiovascular populations.
Pucyło S, Ceglarz K, Pielaciński J, Skweres M, Nieczyporuk M, Piotrowska G, Rudnik A, Sikora K. Impact of Respiratory Infections and Vaccination on Heart Failure Outcomes: A Comprehensive Review. J Pre-Clin Clin Res. 2025; 19(1): 42–47. doi: 10.26444/jpccr/203283
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