The Impact of Influenza Vaccine Uptake on COVID-19 Infection amongst a Multi-ethnic Population with Multiple Morbidities

Background: The COVID 19 Pandemic, which appeared in 2019 and is caused by SARS Coronavirus 2, has had a huge impact on the health of millions of people worldwide, with some patients having no symptoms or mild to moderate symptoms and others having prolonged, complicated courses, with some succumbing to the disease. The presence of co-morbidities puts the patient at a greater risk of acquiring a more severe infection. This population are also at a greater risk for more severe influenza infection and Influenza vaccination is recommended for this group on an annual basis. Objectives: To assess whether influenza vaccination may protect against COVID 19 infection, in a Family Medicine population with co-morbidities. The study will shed light on the influence of influenza vaccination on acquiring COVID 19 infection. Design: This is an observational, retrospective study. Setting: Family Medicine Clinic in Saudi Arabia. Materials and Methods: Charts from family medicine patients with one or more co-morbidities who received the influenza vaccine during the 2019/2020 Influenza season, were reviewed. Patients aged between 25 to 75 with comorbidities were included and had received the influenza vaccine from July 2019 to March 2020. Children under 18 and pregnant patients were excluded from the study. Sample size: 250 patients. Conclusions: There may be beneficial effects of using the Influenza vaccine in a high-risk community population, with co-morbidities, during the COVID-19 Pandemic.