Living with severe obesity can sometimes make it harder for the body to build a strong defense against common illnesses like the flu. Researchers recently looked at how two different types of flu shots work for people with a BMI of 35 or higher. They compared a recombinant influenza vaccine to the standard egg-based vaccine.
The study, which included 206 adults across 15 centers in France, found that the recombinant vaccine produced a stronger immune response for three out of four flu strains. Specifically, it showed higher levels of antibodies for the A/H1N1, A/H3N2, and B/Yamagata strains compared to the egg-based version. For the B/Victoria strain, the two vaccines performed about the same.
While the results are promising for building a stronger immune response, it is important to remember that the study measured antibody levels, not actual infection rates. The researchers also noted that both vaccines were well-tolerated by the participants. Because the study was open-label, some factors could influence the results, but the data suggests the recombinant option provides a stronger initial defense for those with severe obesity.
