Obesity in adolescents does not influence early immune responses to influenza vaccination

BackgroundObesity has been linked to reduced vaccine responses against tetanus, hepatitis B and influenza. Data on the influence of paediatric obesity on influenza vaccine response is still lacking and this study aims to fill the gap.MethodsA total of 30 children with obesity and 30 children with normal weight, aged 12-18 years, were recruited. Participants were vaccinated with a tetravalent influenza vaccine. Blood was collected prior to the vaccination and again four weeks later. The humoral response was assessed with haemagglutinin inhibition assay. The cellular response was assessed with T-cell stimulation assays measuring TNF-alpha, IFN-gamma, IL-2 and IL-13.ResultsOf the 29/30 from the study group and 30/30 from the control group finished both visits. Seroconversion occurred for > 90% of participants in both groups for the A/H1N1, A/H3N2 and B/Victoria strains, but the B/Yamagata strain had lower seroconversion rates (93% in the study group and 80% in the control group). 97-100% of participants from both groups had adequate serological responses following vaccination. Cellular responses were similar between the two groups post-vaccination.ConclusionsEarly humoral and cellular immune responses to influenza vaccinations are similar among adolescents with obesity and normal weight.