It seems that the influenza vaccine may actually provide some protection against symptoms of the novel coronavirus, at least in children. Researchers from the University of Missouri-Columbia reported that children who received the seasonal flu vaccine are less likely to exhibit symptoms of COVID-19, based on data collected from 905 children diagnosed with the virus.
Dr. Anjali Patwardhan, a professor of rheumatology and child health, stated, "It is known that the growth of one virus can be hindered by a previous viral infection. This phenomenon is called viral interference, and it can occur even when the first virus is an inactivated virus, such as in the case of the flu vaccine." After reviewing records of COVID-19 infections in children between February and August 2020, the authors of the study noted that children with COVID-19 who had previously received the flu vaccine experienced symptoms at much lower rates than other children and adolescents. Similarly, children who received the pneumococcal vaccine also had lower chances of experiencing COVID-19 symptoms.
Patwardhan added, "Conducting such a study on children is extremely important because children play a significant role in influencing the transmission of the virus in the community. Understanding the relationship and coexistence of other viruses alongside the coronavirus, as well as knowing the vaccination status of pediatric patients, may help in spreading the right strategies for achieving the best outcomes."
Notably, these findings may have significant implications regarding pandemic containment. Therefore, Dr. Patwardhan emphasized the necessity of conducting further research and studies on the impact of different vaccines on COVID-19 symptoms across demographics, taking into account factors such as age, race, and gender. He concluded that, based on the results of this study, the high infection rates of COVID-19 among minorities might also reflect lower vaccination rates aside from other health disparities.
