Influenza vaccine can be used to prevent coronavirus complications
Last reviewed: 22.11.2021
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A vaccine that protects against seasonal flu can protect a person from the dangerous complications of COVID-19 . This was stated by scientists during the European Congress of Clinical Microbiology and Infections.
Universal anti-coronavirus immunization of the population is still one of the pressing global problems. Most countries are expected to approach relatively stable vaccination in their territories only by 2023. Meanwhile, a number of consistent studies indicate that the conventional influenza vaccine can provide relative protection against covid complications and contribute to the fight against the spread of infection.
Representatives of the Miller College of Medicine at the University of Miami in the United States analyzed information on several tens of thousands of patients in American, British, German, Italian, Israeli and Singaporean clinics. The study participants were at risk of developing a severe course of coronavirus infection. The main risk factors were age, the presence of bad habits and other health problems (diabetes, obesity, chronic respiratory diseases, etc.).
The participants were conditionally divided into two groups. The first group was vaccinated with an influenza drug approximately ½-6 months before they got sick with coronavirus infection. The second group of participants also fell ill with COVID-19, but had not previously been vaccinated against the flu. Experts have studied the incidence of complications of the disease. Thus, the complex courses of infection with septic complications, cerebrovascular accidents, venous thrombosis, pulmonary embolism, acute respiratory failure, distress syndrome, arthralgia, renal failure, pneumonia, etc. Were also considered. Inpatient departments, as well as deaths within 4 months after a positive test for the causative agent of coronavirus infection.
The study showed that participants who did not receive an influenza vaccine were 20% more likely to receive treatment in intensive care units. They also more often developed septic complications (up to 45%), cerebrovascular accidents (up to 58%), venous thrombosis (up to 40%).
So far, scientists cannot say for sure exactly how the influenza vaccine will minimize the degree of development of complications from coronavirus infection. According to one theory, after vaccination, an innate immune defense is activated, which is not specific and can resist even such a pathogen as SARS-CoV-2. It is possible that the results of this study can be used to ensure the protection of citizens of those countries that are not yet able to purchase anti-coronavirus vaccines in the required quantities.
Information provided on the pages of the European Congress of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases