Abstract
The present study aims to evaluate whether influenza and pneumococcal vaccinations are associated with positive nasopharyngeal swab (NPS) testing to detect SARS-CoV-2. Data from the Italian cross-sectional web-based survey (EPICOVID19), based on a self-selection sample of individuals aged ≥18, were considered. The probability of a positive SARS-CoV-2 NPS test result as a function of influenza or anti-pneumococcal vaccination was evaluated using multivariable logistic regression, stratifying analysis by age (<65 years, ≥65 years). From April 2020, 170,731 individuals aged <65 years and 28,097 ≥65 years filled out the EPICOVID19 questionnaire. Influenza and anti-pneumococcal vaccinations were received, respectively, by 16% and 2% of those <65 years, and by 53% and 13% of those ≥65 years. SARS-CoV-2 NPS testing was reported by 6680 participants. Anti-pneumococcal and influenza vaccinations were associated with a decreased probability of a SARS-CoV-2 NPS positive test in the younger participants (OR = 0.61, 95% CI 0.41–0.91; OR = 0.85, 95%CI 0.74–0.98; respectively). A significantly lower probability of a positive test result was detected in the individuals ≥65 years who received anti-pneumococcal vaccination (OR = 0.56, 95%CI 0.33–0.95). These results need to be confirmed by further investigations, but they are relevant given the probable coexistence of influenza, bacterial infections, and COVID-19 over the coming autumn–winter season.
Highlights
IntroductionThe COronaVIrus Disease 19 (COVID-19) outbreak continues to be a burdensome, multifaceted public health concern, and as of July 17, 2020, the number of confirmed worldwide cases has risen to13,788,300 (with America, Asia and Europe the most affected continents); it has been responsible for 589,688 deaths [1]
The COronaVIrus Disease 19 (COVID-19) outbreak continues to be a burdensome, multifaceted public health concern, and as of July 17, 2020, the number of confirmed worldwide cases has risen to13,788,300; it has been responsible for 589,688 deaths [1]
The current study aimed to evaluate if influenza and pneumococcal vaccinations are associated with a lower probability of positivity to nasopharyngeal swab (NPS) detection of SARS-CoV-2 in adults and older individuals
Summary
The COronaVIrus Disease 19 (COVID-19) outbreak continues to be a burdensome, multifaceted public health concern, and as of July 17, 2020, the number of confirmed worldwide cases has risen to13,788,300 (with America, Asia and Europe the most affected continents); it has been responsible for 589,688 deaths [1]. The lack of specific therapies for COVID-19 has prompted a growing number of clinicians and researchers to investigate risk factors that may affect individual susceptibility to the infection and disease severity. A factor contributing to the higher vulnerability of older adults to SARS-CoV-2 could be linked to aging-related immunologic changes [6,7]. These include both immunosenescence, i.e., the progressive dysfunction of both the innate and adaptive immune responses, and the development of low-grade chronic systemic inflammation, termed inflammaging [7,8]. Vaccines are able to protect individuals against the targeted pathogen as well as to reduce the associated risk of viral or bacterial co-infections [15]
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