A recent study presented at the European Congress of Clinical Microbiology & Infectious Diseases (ECCMID) has found that getting a flu shot can reduce the risk of severe COVID-19 symptoms. The University of Miami researchers analyzed health data from 73,000 people across different countries, with half of the participants having received a flu shot two weeks to six months before their COVID-19 infection. The study found that those who had been vaccinated against the flu had a significantly lower risk of severe COVID-19 symptoms and complications such as sepsis, thrombosis, and stroke. In contrast, those who had not received a flu shot were more likely to require treatment in the intensive care unit and experience complications.
The study’s authors suggest that a fresh flu shot can protect against the worst outcomes of COVID-19, as it triggers an unspecific immune response that mobilizes the body’s defenses against the virus. Another study from the University of Michigan also found that getting a flu shot significantly reduces the risk of severe COVID-19 symptoms. The researchers emphasize the importance of getting a flu shot during the COVID-19 pandemic to prevent a double infection with both viruses. However, they stress that a flu shot is not a substitute for a COVID-19 vaccine and urge people to get vaccinated against COVID-19 as soon as possible.
The study’s findings are particularly significant as the pandemic continues to strain healthcare systems worldwide, with only a small percentage of the global population fully vaccinated against COVID-19. While a flu shot may not provide complete protection against COVID-19, it can serve as a partial shield in regions where COVID-19 vaccines are not yet widely available. Ultimately, the researchers hope that their findings will encourage more people to get vaccinated against both the flu and COVID-19 to protect themselves and others from severe illness and complications.
