People who receive the shingles vaccine may have a lower risk of being diagnosed and hospitalized with coronavirus disease 2019. (COVID-19), according to a new medRxiv * preprint study.
Herpes zoster vaccination was associated with a 32% reduction
In approximately 150,000 people over the age of 50, vaccination against shingles was associated with a 32% reduction in the risk of severe COVID-19 infection.
The study results are correlational and more research is needed to identify whether it is the vaccine itself or other factors. Those driving the reduced risk of COVID-19.
Researchers suggest that the shingles vaccine can boost innate immunity. Increasing the levels of cytokines in the body and preparing an antiviral response against possible infections. Additionally, innate immunity can help weaken the ability of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) to replicate during early infection.
Alternatively, people who are vaccinated against shingles can be health conscious and more proactive in getting vaccinated.
COVID-19 vaccines continue to be the best form of protection against SARS-CoV-2.
Demographic information of vaccinated versus unvaccinated individuals
Approximately 149,244 people were vaccinated with at least one dose of the recombinant adjuvanted zoster vaccine. A control group consisted of 298,488 unvaccinated individuals for comparison. Approximately 16.2% of the people were between 50 and 59 years old and 12.8% were over 80 years old.
There were 57.8% female participants, and more than half described themselves as non-Hispanic white.
Vaccinated people were more likely to have frequent outpatient medical visits before the pandemic and were associated with hypertension and other vaccines.
Of the approximately 150,000 people vaccinated, there were 5,951 COVID-19 diagnoses and 1,066 COVID-19-related hospitalizations.
People not vaccinated with at least one dose of the shingles vaccine reported more COVID-19 diagnoses. As a result, there were 13,028 COVID-19 cases and 2,765 people required hospitalization for a serious COVID-19 infection.
Further analysis further confirmed a lower incidence of COVID-19 and COVID-19 related hospitalizations in vaccinated versus unvaccinated individuals.
One dose of the shingles vaccine was correlated with a 16% reduction in the risk of a COVID-19 diagnosis. An association was also found between the shingles vaccine and a 32% lower rate of hospitalization related to COVID-19.
Two-dose vaccination for shingles associated with further reduction in COVID-19 hospitalizations
Of the 94,895 people with two doses of the shingles vaccine, 3,403 were diagnosed with COVID-19 infection. Of these, 612 required hospitalization.
The results translated into a 19% reduction in the risk of COVID-19 infection
A cohort of 189,790 unvaccinated people was compared with people who received two doses of vaccine. This group had 7,689 COVID-19 diagnoses and 1,676 COVID-19-related hospitalizations.
The results translated into a 19% reduction in the risk of COVID-19 infection in vaccinated people and a 36% reduction in the hospitalization rate.
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