Influenza Vaccine Can Protect Against Serious Complications Caused By Covid-19: Study

New Delhi: The yearly influenza vaccine, according to a study from the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine in the United States may minimise the chances of stroke, sepsis, blood clots, and other serious complications among patients infected with Covid-19. 

Patients with Covid-19 who were being vaccinated against the flu were also considerably less likely to join the emergency department (ED) and be sent to the intensive care unit, according to US researchers. 

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“Only a small fraction of the world has been fully vaccinated against Covid-19 to date, and with all the devastation that has occurred due to the pandemic, the global community still needs to find solutions to reduce morbidity and mortality,” quoted senior study author and professor at the Miller School, Devinder Singh as reported by India Today. 

The study, which was published on August 3 in the journal PLoS One, looked at patient records from a variety of nations, including the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany, Italy, Israel, and Singapore. 

Two groups of 37,377 patients were identified by the researchers. The flu vaccine was given to the first trial group two weeks and six months before they were diagnosed with Covid-19. 

The second group had a positive Covid-19 result but had not been immunised against the flu. 

Within 30, 60, 90, and 120 days of testing positive for Covid-19, the incidence of 15 adverse events, including infections, strokes, deep vein thrombosis (DVT), emergency department visits, and mortality, were compared between the two groups. 

The findings revealed that those who did not have the flu shot had a much higher chance of being admitted to the ICU (up to 20%). They were also more likely to attend the emergency room (up to 58%), acquire sepsis (up to 45%), have a stroke (up to 58%), and have a DVT (up to 58%).  

Although the exact mechanism by which the influenza vaccine protects against Covid-19 is unknown, most ideas suggest that the flu shot boosts the innate immune system, according to the researchers. 

The researchers do, however, highly advise that consumers get Covid-19 shots in addition to their annual influenza vaccine. 

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