This observational study of 1098 middle-aged individuals found that administration of influenza vaccination may be effective in decreasing the risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection and hospitalization to some extent.

To clarify the doubts concerning the use of influenza vaccination in defense against COVID-19, this study assessed the effect of influenza vaccination on the possibility of SARS-CoV-2 infection in middle-aged individuals for a period of 8 weeks in comparison with individuals without vaccination.

Based on medical records, the data from a total of 1098 middle-aged individuals following the administration of influenza vaccination and 1205 unvaccinated patients were evaluated. The age group of 40 to 60 years and influenza vaccination in September 2020 was the inclusion criteria. The prevalence of coronavirus infection was established by polymerase chain reaction.

Following influenza vaccination administration, patients had considerably fewer infections of SARS-CoV-2 compared to the unvaccinated individuals with a hazard ratio of 0.74 (95% CI: 0.54-0.89).

The administration of influenza vaccination may partly lessen the possibility of SARS-CoV-2 infection in people aged 40 to 60 years.