No Link Between Flu Vaccination & COVID-19 Risk

Study finds no link between flu vaccination and COVID-19 risk

A large Danish study of more than 46,000 health workers found that flu vaccination didn’t affect COVID-19 hospitalization or influence the development of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies. A team based at the University of Copenhagen detailed their findings today in the Journal of Infection.

Researchers said they explored the links, due to speculation that flu vaccination might afford some protection against COVID-19, given that the two viruses produce similar host immune response. Also, some wondered whether flu vaccination might influence the risk of COVID-19 infection.

For the study, a cohort of 46,112 health workers were tested for SARS-CoV-2 antibodies and completed surveys on COVID-19 symptoms, hospitalization, and flu vaccination.

When they compared vaccinated to unvaccinated health workers, they found no difference in COVID-19 hospitalization or symptoms and no clinical difference in contracting COVID-19, as measured by the development of antibodies against SARS-CoV-2.

Source: CIDRAP