Correlation of Influenza Vaccination and the COVID-19 Severity

Arokiaraj, Mark Christopher

doi:10.2139/ssrn.3572814

Cited by 28 publications

(32 citation statements)

References 110 publications

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“…Contrary to expectations, the present worldwide analysis and European sub-analysis do not support the previously reported negative association between COVID-19 deaths (DPMI) and influenza vaccination rate (IVR) in elderly people, observed in studies in Brazil and Italy (Fink et al 2020;Marín-Hernández et al 2020). Previous studies attributed the beneficial effect of influenza vaccination in reducing severity of COVID-19 disease to better prevention of potential influenza-SARS-CoV-2 coinfections (Arokiaraj 2020) and, more likely, to changes in innate PeerJ reviewing PDF | (2020:08:51704:2:0:NEW 9 Sep 2020)…”

Section: Discussioncontrasting

confidence: 99%

Peer Review #1 of "Positive association between COVID-19 deaths and influenza vaccination rates in elderly people worldwide (v0.2)"

2020

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Background. The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), is an ongoing global health crisis, directly and indirectly impacting all spheres of human life. Some pharmacological measures have been proposed to prevent COVID-19 or reduce its severity, such as vaccinations. Previous reports indicate that influenza vaccination appears to be negatively correlated with COVID-19-associated mortality, perhaps as a result of heterologous immunity or changes in innate immunity. The understanding of such trends in correlations could prevent deaths from COVID-19 in the future. The aim of this study was therefore to analyze the association between COVID-19 related deaths and influenza vaccination rate (IVR) in elderly people worldwide. Methods. To determine the association between COVID-19 deaths and influenza vaccination, available data sets from countries with more than 0.5 million inhabitants were analyzed (in total 39 countries).To accurately estimate the influence of IVR on COVID-19 deaths and mitigate effects of confounding variables, a sophisticated ranking of the importance of different variables was performed, including as predictor variables IVR and some potentially important geographical and socioeconomic variables as well as variables related to non-pharmaceutical intervention. The associations were measured by non-parametric Spearman rank correlation coefficients and random forest functions. Results. The results showed a positive association between COVID-19 deaths and IVR of people ≥ 65 years-old. Further exploration is needed to explain these findings, and additional work on this line of research may lead to prevention of deaths associated with COVID-19.

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Section: Discussioncontrasting

confidence: 99%

Peer Review #1 of "Positive association between COVID-19 deaths and influenza vaccination rates in elderly people worldwide (v0.2)"

2020

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“…prevention of potential influenza-SARS-CoV-2 coinfections (Arokiaraj, 2020) and, more likely, to changes in innate immunity (Netea et al, 2020). The innate immune response induced by recent vaccination could result in more rapid and efficient SARS-CoV-2 clearance, preventing progressive dissemination into lower areas of lung tissues (Fink et al, 2020).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Heterologous immunity can also result in non-specific effects (also called "heterologous effects") of vaccines which affect unrelated infections and diseases, such as extending the protective outcomes of vaccinations (Goodridge et al, 2016;Agrawal, 2019). Arokiaraj (2020) reported a negative correlation between influenza vaccination rates (IVRs) and COVID-19 related mortality and morbidity. Marín-Hernández, Schwartz & Nixon (2020) also showed epidemiological evidence of an association between higher influenza vaccine uptake by elderly people and lower percentage of COVID-19 deaths in Italy.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Positive association between COVID-19 deaths and influenza vaccination rates in elderly people worldwide

Wehenkel¹

2020

PeerJ

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Background The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), is an ongoing global health crisis, directly and indirectly impacting all spheres of human life. Some pharmacological measures have been proposed to prevent COVID-19 or reduce its severity, such as vaccinations. Previous reports indicate that influenza vaccination appears to be negatively correlated with COVID-19-associated mortality, perhaps as a result of heterologous immunity or changes in innate immunity. The understanding of such trends in correlations could prevent deaths from COVID-19 in the future. The aim of this study was therefore to analyze the association between COVID-19 related deaths and influenza vaccination rate (IVR) in elderly people worldwide. Methods To determine the association between COVID-19 deaths and influenza vaccination, available data sets from countries with more than 0.5 million inhabitants were analyzed (in total 39 countries). To accurately estimate the influence of IVR on COVID-19 deaths and mitigate effects of confounding variables, a sophisticated ranking of the importance of different variables was performed, including as predictor variables IVR and some potentially important geographical and socioeconomic variables as well as variables related to non-pharmaceutical intervention. The associations were measured by non-parametric Spearman rank correlation coefficients and random forest functions. Results The results showed a positive association between COVID-19 deaths and IVR of people ≥65 years-old. There is a significant increase in COVID-19 deaths from eastern to western regions in the world. Further exploration is needed to explain these findings, and additional work on this line of research may lead to prevention of deaths associated with COVID-19.

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“…Therefore, a co-infection may be a potential risk factor that may lead to fatal consequences [83]. In addition, the severity of COVID-19 was reportedly low in patients who were vaccinated against influenza [84]. In general, administration of influenza and pneumococcal vaccines is strongly recommended for patients with SRD [85].…”

Section: Recommendations Recommendation 1 Regular Exercise Within Thmentioning

confidence: 99%

Recommendations for the Management of Patients With Systemic Rheumatic Diseases During the Coronavirus Disease Pandemic

et al. 2020

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Patients with systemic rheumatic diseases (SRD) are vulnerable for coronavirus disease (COVID-19). The Korean College of Rheumatology recognized the urgent need to develop recommendations for rheumatologists and other physicians to manage patients with SRD during the COVID-19 pandemic. The working group was organized and was responsible for selecting key health questions, searching and reviewing the available literature, and formulating statements. The appropriateness of the statements was evaluated by voting panels using the modified Delphi method. Four general principles and thirteen individual recommendations were finalized through expert consensus based on the available evidence. The recommendations included preventive measures against COVID-19, medicinal treatment for stable or active SRD patients without COVID-19, medicinal treatment for SRD patients with COVID-19, and patient evaluation and monitoring. Medicinal treatments were categorized according to the status with respect to both COVID-19 and SRD. These recommendations should serve as a reference for individualized treatment for patients with SRD. As new evidence is emerging, an immediate update will be required.

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Correlation of Influenza Vaccination and the COVID-19 Severity

Cited by 28 publications

References 110 publications

Peer Review #1 of "Positive association between COVID-19 deaths and influenza vaccination rates in elderly people worldwide (v0.2)"

Peer Review #1 of "Positive association between COVID-19 deaths and influenza vaccination rates in elderly people worldwide (v0.2)"

Positive association between COVID-19 deaths and influenza vaccination rates in elderly people worldwide

Recommendations for the Management of Patients With Systemic Rheumatic Diseases During the Coronavirus Disease Pandemic

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