Impact of the influenza vaccine on COVID-19 infection rates and severity

•With vaccines against COVID-19 not yet broadly available, there is interest in assessing the role of the influenza vaccine in COVID-19 susceptibility and severity.•The odds of testing positive for COVID-19 was reduced in patients who received an influenza vaccine compared to those who did not by 24%.•Vaccinated patients testing positive for COVID-19 were less likely to require hospitalization or mechanical ventilation and had a shorter hospital length of stay.•The influenza vaccine should be promoted to reduce the burden of COVID-19.