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Observational Study
. 2024 Dec 31;20(1):2404752.
doi: 10.1080/21645515.2024.2404752. Epub 2024 Oct 14.

Smoking and serological response to influenza vaccine

Won Suk Choi  1 , Mary Patricia Nowalk  2 , Krissy Moehling Geffel  2 , Michael Susick  2 , Sean Saul  2 , Chyongchiou Jeng Lin  2 , Ted M Ross  3   4 , Richard K Zimmerman  2
Affiliations
Observational Study

Smoking and serological response to influenza vaccine

Won Suk Choi et al. Hum Vaccin Immunother. .

Abstract

Cigarette smoking confers additional risk from influenza. This study assessed the effect of smoking on humoral immune response to influenza vaccine. Adults ≥50 y of age were enrolled during the 2011-2016 influenza vaccination seasons in an observational prospective study. Non-fasting whole blood samples for hemagglutination inhibition (HAI) assays were obtained from participants at pre- and 28 d post-clinically administered, trivalent influenza vaccination. Among 273 participants, 133 subjects self-reported as never smokers, 87 as ex-smokers, and 53 as current smokers. Postvaccination geometric mean HAI titers were significantly higher among smokers for A/H1N1 (p = .031) and A/H3N2 (p = .001). Relative to never smokers, smoking was independently related to seroconversion to A/H1N1, A/H3N2 and B. The adjusted odd ratios (ORs) were 5.2 [95% confidence interval (CI), 2.3, 11.5] for seroconversion to A/H1N1, 5.4 (95% CI, 2.4, 12.1) for A/H3N2, and 2.7 (95% CI, 1.3, 5.7) for B. Smoking was also independently related to seroprotection to A/H1N1, A/H3N2 and B. The ORs were 3.6 (95% CI, 1.6, 8.08) for seroprotection to A/H1N1 in smokers, 2.7 (95% CI, 1.14, 6.5) for A/H3N2, and 2.5 (95% CI, 1.1, 5.7) for B. Although the mechanism is unclear, smokers showed a better immune response to influenza vaccination than never smokers and ex-smokers. The results can be used to emphasize the value of influenza vaccination for smokers.

Keywords: Influenza; hemagglutination inhibition tests; immunogenicity; smoking; vaccine.

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Conflict of interest statement

Dr. Ross, Dr. Moehling Geffel, Mr. Saul and Mr. Susick have no conflicts to report. Drs. Zimmerman and Nowalk have received research funding from Sanofi Pasteur in the past 3 years. Dr. Nowalk has received research funding from Merck & Co, Inc., in the past 3 years and currently has research funding from AstraZeneca. Dr. Choi has received research funding from Seqirus, Sysmex Korea, Merck & Co., Inc. GSK, Pfizer, Sanofi Pasteur, Abbvie, Green Cross Corp., and SK Bioscience.

Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.
Seroconversion and seroprotection rate by smoking status.
Figure 2.
Figure 2.
Multivariable regression analysis for the association of smoking status with influenza vaccine strains.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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