The evidence is mixed. An FDA study of Medicare claims found that in those age 85 and older who received the flu and COVID-19 vaccines together, there were about 3 strokes for every 100,000 vaccine doses. Among those 65 and older, there were 1-2 strokes per 100,000 doses. These rates are slightly higher than expected. However, five other studies did NOT find an increased risk. Experts say the risk of stroke after vaccination is much lower than the risk of serious illness due to COVID-19 or flu for adults in these age groups.

The COVID-19 and Flu vaccinations are still considered safe in older adults when given alone or together. The small increased risk of stroke suggested in the FDA study is not supported by other evidence and is still a very small risk when compared to the risk of a stroke after getting COVID-19 or the flu.

The study that suggested a small increase in stroke risk for older adults after receiving both vaccines at the same time does not show a clear link that the strokes were caused by the vaccinations. Other factors at play could be the seasonality of strokes, or an undetected COVID-19 infection causing the stroke.

Even if the small increase in stroke risk is true, it is still very small in comparison to the increased risk of stroke caused by getting COVID-19 or the Flu. Getting vaccinated is an important step to protect older adults from getting these viruses.

If patients have concerns about getting the shots together, spacing them out by two weeks will be enough to ensure any possible side effect symptoms do not overlap.  

Scientists will continue to study the risk of stroke after COVID-19 and flu vaccinations.

Scientists are also still studying how COVID-19 vaccinations may decrease the risk of stroke in people over the age of 65 even if they still get a COVID-19 infection after being vaccinated. Early studies suggest that older adults who get a COVID-19 vaccination are less likely to have a stroke after a COVID-19 infection than those who were not vaccinated.