EP582 - INFLUENZA VACCINE RESPONSES IN ADOLESCENTS WITH OBESITY ARE SIMILAR TO ADOLESCENTS WITH NORMAL WEIGHT (ID 638)
Abstract
Backgrounds:
Obesity is one of the major public health challenges worldwide. It has been associated with increased severity of influenza infections in adults and may be similar in children. Obesity has been associated with reduced immune response to tetanus and hepatitis B vaccinations. The aim of the study was to assess the humoral response to influenza vaccinations in obese adolescents and determine whether dose adjustments are needed to better protect this potential risk group.
Methods
30 adolescents with obesity and 30 controls with normal weight, aged 12-18 years, were recruited. Participants received tetravalent influenza vaccination (2020/2021 season). Venous blood was collected prior to the vaccination and again four weeks later. Participants underwent body composition measurements (height, weight, body fat percentage, waist circumference). Haemagglutination inhibition assay was done to assess the humoral immune response. Seroconversion was defined as four-fold rise in titre post-vaccination.
Results:
29/30 participants in the study group and 30/30 of controls completed the study. The median BMI was 36 and 19, for the study and control group, respectively. The median body fat percentage was 48% for the study group and 18% in the control group. The study group had higher post-vaccination titres against the B Victoria strain, titres were similar against other strains. Seroconversion in the study group occurred in 29/29, 27/29, 28/29 and 27/29 against A H1N1, A H3N2, B Victoria and B Yamagata, respectively. For the control group, seroconversion was observed against A H1N1, A H3N2, B Victoria and B Yamagata in 28/30, 27/30, 30/30 and 24/30, respectively.
Conclusions/Learning Points:
Teenagers with obesity do not have lower humoral response to influenza vaccination than teenagers with normal weight peers. Our study does not support any need for changes in dosing.
