Open AccessInfluenza vaccine during the 2019–2020 season and COVID-19 risk: A case-control study in Québec
Author(s) -
Jacques Pépin,
Philippe De Wals,
AnnieClaude Labbé,
Alex Carignan,
MarieÉlise Parent,
Jennifer Yu,
Louis Valiquette,
MarieClaude Rousseau
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
canada communicable disease report
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 1481-8531
pISSN - 1188-4169
DOI - 10.14745/ccdr.v47i10a05
Subject(s) - medicine , vaccination , odds ratio , covid-19 , logistic regression , odds , influenza vaccine , case control study , pediatrics , virology , immunology , disease , infectious disease (medical specialty)
Background: We carried out a case-control study that examined whether receipt of the inactivated influenza vaccine during the 2019–2020 season impacted on the risk of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), as there was a concern that the vaccine could be detrimental through viral interference. Methods: A total of 920 cases with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection (diagnosed between March and October 2020) and 2,123 uninfected controls were recruited from those who were born in Québec between 1956 and 1976 and who had received diagnostic services at two hospitals (Montréal and Sherbrooke, Québec). After obtaining consent, a questionnaire was administered by phone. Data were analyzed by logistic regression. Results: Among healthcare workers, inactivated influenza vaccine received during the previous influenza season was not associated with increased COVID-19 risk (AOR: 0.99, 95% CI: 0.69–1.41). Among participants who were not healthcare workers, influenza vaccination was associated with lower odds of COVID-19 (AOR: 0.73, 95% CI 0.56–0.96). Conclusion: We found no evidence that seasonal influenza vaccine increased the risk of developing COVID-19.