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Journal Article Review Epublish 14 citations

PubMed: 36553093 DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics12123086

Influenza and Pneumococcal Vaccination and the Risk of COVID-19: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Diagnostics (Basel) 12(12)

Authors: Georgia V Kapoula, Konstantina E Vennou, Pantelis G Bagos

Affiliations

  • Department of Biochemistry, General Hospital of Lamia, 35131 Lamia, Greece. Department of Computer Science and Biomedical Informatics, University of Thessaly, 35131 Lamia, Greece.
  • Department of Computer Science and Biomedical Informatics, University of Thessaly, 35131 Lamia, Greece.

Abstract

A number of studies have investigated the potential on-specific effects of some routinely administered vaccines (e.g., influenza, pneumococcal) on COVID-19 related outcomes, with contrasting results. In order to elucidate this discrepancy, we conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to assess the association between seasonal influenza vaccination and pneumococcal vaccination with SARS-CoV-2 infection and its clinical outcomes. PubMed and medRxiv databases were searched up to April 2022. A random effects model was used in the meta-analysis to pool odds ratio (OR) and adjusted estimates with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Heterogeneity was quantitatively assessed using the Cochran's and the index. Subgroup analysis, sensitivity analysis and assessment of publication bias were performed for all outcomes. In total, 38 observational studies were included in the meta-analysis and there was substantial heterogeneity. Influenza and pneumococcal vaccination were associated with lower risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection (OR: 0.80, 95% CI: 0.75-0.86 and OR: 0.70, 95% CI: 0.57-0.88, respectively). Regarding influenza vaccination, it seems that the majority of studies did not properly adjust for all potential confounders, so when the analysis was limited to studies that adjusted for age, gender, comorbidities and socioeconomic indices, the association diminished. This is not the case regarding pneumococcal vaccination, for which even after adjustment for such factors the association persisted. Regarding harder endpoints such as ICU admission and death, current data do not support the association. Possible explanations are discussed, including trained immunity, inadequate matching for socioeconomic indices and possible coinfection.

MeSH

Vaccines, Vaccination, Covid-19, Influenza, Human, Pneumococcal Vaccines, Influenza Vaccines, Infections

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