Lack of Sleep Increases COVID-19 Risk Even After Vaccination

Reduced Immune Response When Under 6 Hours
Research by French National Institute of Health and Medical Research

A study has found that sleeping less than six hours a day reduces immune response to vaccines.

On the 13th (local time), according to The Guardian, Dr. Karine Spiegel and her research team at the French National Institute of Health and Medical Research (Inserm) published a meta-analysis paper in the biological journal Current Biology, examining the results of influenza and hepatitis A and B vaccinations in 304 healthy adults aged 18 to 60 across seven studies.

Men and young adults are more affected, but "good sleep is important for everyone"

[Photo by Pixabay]

The researchers divided the participants into two groups based on their daily sleep duration: those who had the recommended adult sleep duration of 7 to 9 hours and those who slept less than 6 hours per day, then compared their immune responses.

The results showed that even when receiving the same vaccine, those who slept less than 6 hours per day exhibited a reduced immune response to the vaccine.

The immune response was more affected by sleep duration in the 18 to 60 age group than in the elderly aged 60 and above, and men were more affected than women.

Regarding why men's immune response is more influenced by sleep duration, Dr. Spiegel explained, "Women's immunity is affected by factors such as menstrual cycles, contraceptive use, and menopause."

Because women's immunity is also influenced by fluctuations in sex hormone levels, the level of immune response according to sleep duration may vary more in women than in men.

However, the researchers explained that for both men and women, even short-term sleep of less than 6 hours per day before and after vaccination leads to a decrease in immune response, comparable to the reduction in antibodies observed about two months after receiving the COVID-19 vaccine.

"Get good sleep before and after vaccination"

The researchers advised that if the public ensures sufficient sleep for several days before and after vaccination using this knowledge, the effectiveness of the vaccine can be enhanced.

While factors such as various diseases, obesity, and gender that affect immune response are difficult for individuals to change, sleep duration is controllable, so adjusting it can improve the effectiveness of vaccination.

Dr. Eve Van Carter, Professor Emeritus at the University of Chicago, USA, said, "Quality sleep not only amplifies the immune effect during vaccination but may also extend the protective period of the vaccine."

However, the researchers noted that further studies are needed to determine the exact amount of sleep that is optimal to maximize vaccine effectiveness and to understand how sex hormones influence immune response.