COVID-19 is an
infectious disease caused by the novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2. Several measures aimed at containing the spread of this virus have been recommended by international and nation public health institutions, but whether the
influenza vaccine, while not protective against
COVID-19, nonetheless reduces disease severity is unclear. This study evaluated the potential role of
influenza vaccine in reducing the rate of hospitalization and death in
COVID-19 patients.
COVID-19 cases recorded in the province of Brindisi (Apulia, Southern Italy) during the first pandemic wave (February-May 2020) and occurring in patients vaccinated with the
influenza vaccine during the 2019-2020
influenza season were considered. From February 2020 to May 2020, 3872 inhabitants of the province of Brindisi underwent SARS-CoV-2 PCR testing and 664 (8.7%) tested positive. A multivariate analysis showed that among
COVID-19 patients neither hospitalization nor death was significantly associated with
influenza vaccination (p > 0.05), whereas within this group male sex, older age, and
chronic diseases were identified as risk factors for morbidity and mortality. Our study did not show an association between the
influenza vaccine and complications of
COVID-19. Nonetheless,
influenza vaccination must be promoted as a central public health measure, because by reducing the burden on hospitals it can greatly benefit the management of
COVID-19 patients.