- The concomitant administration of vaccines against influenza and COVID-19 has been shown to be as effective as their separate administration, without reducing the immune response.
- Additional research suggests that combining vaccines is not only safe but could also enhance efficacy against certain types of influenza viruses.
- Administering both vaccines simultaneously could relieve the burden on healthcare systems, optimizing resources and time for both patient groups and healthcare personnel.
Seville, March 4, 2024
In an effort to combat not only the COVID-19 pandemic but also other viral diseases such as the flu, a research team from the Instituto de Biomedicina de Sevilla (IBiS) has demonstrated the efficacy and safety of administering both vaccines simultaneously. This approach could help alleviate the burden on the healthcare system by optimizing resources and response times.
This work is a multicenter study led by IBiS and the "Hospital Universitario Virgen del Rocío", with de participation of "Centro de Salud Los Bermejales en Sevilla" and the group of Prof. Adolfo García Sastre, from the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York.
Image: From left to right, Dr. Jerónimo Pachón, Dr. Javier Sánchez Céspedes, and Dr. María Elisa Cordero Matía
Concomitant Vaccines and Their Value in Combating COVID-19 and Other Diseases
"The efficacy of administering the influenza and COVID-19 vaccines together is comparable to when they are applied separately," explains María Elisa Cordero Matía, head of the «Infecciones víricas y en pacientes inmunodeprimidos» group at IBiS. This discovery addresses the suspicion of possible interference between the vaccines, which generated uncertainty about their effectiveness when used in combination. "Our study shows that this is not the case; the response is the same. Even for a type of influenza virus, the response is somewhat better if the flu and COVID-19 vaccines are administered at the same time, but in different arms," adds the researcher.
The Road Ahead
However, it is important to remember that this is just one of the studies addressing this issue. In terms of the efficacy of concomitant vaccination, as the expert emphasizes, there are still aspects of the immune response that require deeper investigation, especially in populations with diminished immune responses, such as immunocompromised patients. This remains one of the main challenges to overcome.
"One of the next aspects to investigate would be to analyze, in patient groups with a lower response to the vaccine due to their underlying diseases such as those who are immunocompromised, whether there are vaccination strategies that can improve the efficacy of both vaccines. We are considering future studies to explore vaccination strategies that can enhance efficacy in these groups," she indicates.
Regarding the clinical implementation of these findings, the evidence points to the safety and efficacy of administering the influenza and COVID-19 vaccines simultaneously. "Administering both vaccines at the same time can make vaccination more efficient, saving time for both the patient and healthcare personnel," Dr. Cordero continues.
This strategy not only optimizes vaccination logistics, saving resources and time but also maintains the same safety and efficacy, which is essential for improving vaccine coverage and, therefore, public health, according to the researcher. In other words, this study marks a step towards a more efficient and flexible vaccination strategy, capable of facing current and future public health challenges, and highlights the importance of continuous research to optimize our response to viral diseases.
This work has been funded by the Ministry of Economic Transformation, Industry, Knowledge, and Universities of the Andalusian Regional Government, with FEDER funding.
Reference: Concomitant administration of seasonal influenza and COVID-19 mRNA vaccines
https://doi.org/10.1080/22221751.2023.2292068
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About IBiS
The Institute of Biomedicine of Seville (IBiS) is a multidisciplinary center focused on carrying out fundamental research on the causes and mechanisms of the most prevalent pathologies in the population and the development of new methods to diagnose and to treat diseases.
IBiS is made up of 42 consolidated groups and 42 affiliated groups led by researchers from the University of Seville, the Spanish National Research Council (CSIC) and the Virgen del Rocío and Virgen Macarena University Hospitals and Valme, organized around five thematic areas: Infectious Diseases and Immune System, Neurosciences, Onco-hematology and Genetics, Cardiovascular Pathology, Respiratory / Other Systemic Pathologies and Liver, Digestive and Inflammatory Diseases.
IBiS depends institutionally on the Department (Consejería) of Health and Consumption of the Junta de Andalucía; the Andalusian Health Service (SAS); the Department (Consejería) of University, Research and Innovation; the University of Seville and the Spanish National Research Council (CSIC). It is managed by the Public Foundation for the Management of Health Research in Seville (FISEVI).
More information:
Angeles Escudero
Unidad de comunicación| UCC+i
InstitutodeBiomedicinadeSevilla - IBiS
Campus Hospital Universitario Virgen del Rocío
Avda. Manuel Siurot s/n
41013 Sevilla
Tel 682730351
Email: comunicacion-ibis@us.es
