COVID-19 Vaccine Co-administration Enhances Immunogenicity in Adults

Strategic Insights -

A recent study has found that co-administering COVID-19 vaccines with other vaccines, such as influenza and pneumococcal vaccines, can effectively enhance vaccination uptake in adults. The research, conducted by a team of scientists at the University of Copenhagen, investigated the immunogenicity and safety of co-administering COVID-19 mRNA, influenza, and pneumococcal (PPSV23) vaccines in adults. The study involved 3,104 adults, with a median age of 70 years, who received a fourth dose (2nd booster) of an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine alone or co-administered with an influenza vaccine, with or without PPSV23 from January to December 2022. The researchers measured SARS-CoV-2 anti-spike and anti-receptor binding domain (RBD) IgG concentrations and neutralization activity before and one month after vaccination.

Key Takeaways:

  • Co-administering COVID-19 vaccines with other vaccines can effectively enhance vaccination uptake in adults, with an adjusted odds ratio of 0.64 (p < 0.001) for a 2-fold anti-spike IgG geometric mean fold rise.
  • The COVID-19 vaccine co-administered with influenza vaccine showed the highest median geometric mean fold rise in anti-spike IgG concentrations (1.56) and neutralization activity (12.42) compared to other vaccine combinations.
  • The study found no significant differences in adverse events (AEs) between the different vaccine combinations, with AEs reported by 14.1% of participants.
  • The median age of participants was 70 years, with 54% of participants being female.
  • The researchers estimated the odds of a 2-fold geometric mean fold rise in anti-spike IgG concentrations using logistic regression models.
  • The study concluded that the vaccine co-administration is safe and can be recommended in adults.

Statistics:

  • 3,104 adults participated in the study.
  • 1,670 (54%) of participants were female.
  • Median age of participants was 70 years (IQR: 60-77).
  • Anti-spike IgG geometric mean fold rise was 1.95, 1.56, and 1.42 in the COVID-19, COVID-19+Influenza, and COVID-19+Influenza+PPSV23 groups, respectively.
  • Neutralization activity was 8.99, 12.42, and 8.23 in the COVID-19, COVID-19+Influenza, and COVID-19+Influenza+PPSV23 groups, respectively.
  • Adverse events (AEs) were reported by 14.1% of participants.

Sources:

  • Immunogenicity and Safety of the COVID-19 mRNA Vaccine Coadministered with Influenza and 23-valent Pneumococcal Polysaccharide Vaccines. Clinical Infectious Diseases, 2025.
  • Oxford Univ Press Inc, Journals Dept, 2001 Evans Rd, Cary, NC 27513, USA (Publisher of Clinical Infectious Diseases).
  • University of Copenhagen (Research Institution).