Medical Research and Innovation

Sławin, Agata, Brydak, Lidia B, Doniec, Zbigniew, Bujnowska-Fedak, Maria, Mastalerz-Migas, Agnieszka, Agata Sławin, Lidia B. Brydak, Zbigniew Doniec, Maria Bujnowska-Fedak, Agnieszka Mastalerz-Migas, Brydak, Lidia B.

Vaccination is the most effective preventive measure that reduces the risk of influenza and post-influenza complications. It prevents influenza-related hospitalizations and deaths in 50-60% and about 80% of patients aged over 65, respectively. There is the clinical plausibility of the association between serum vitamin D (VIT D) content and viral respiratory infections. In this study, we addressed the issue of a vitamin D modulatory effect on the immune response to seasonal influenza vaccination in elderly persons. The study comprised 96 participants aged 60-75 during the 2016/17 epidemic season. After the determination of the baseline content of VIT D and anti-hemagglutinin antibodies (H1, H3, and HB), participants were vaccinated with a trivalent vaccine. The content of the anti-hemagglutinin antibodies was rechecked 4-5 weeks afterward, showing inappreciable alterations. The negative findings of this study make the influence of serum VIT D content on the immunogenicity of influenza vaccination highly unlikely in elderly persons.