Contents
Depression, stress and poor health habits weaken our immune system, which reduces the effectiveness of some vaccines. Recent studies show that this may also apply to COVID-19 vaccines. Does this mean that people with depressed mood are less susceptible to the vaccine?
- Psychological and behavioral factors can increase the time it takes for immunity to develop and shorten the time it takes to act, argue researchers at Ohio State University
- This means that stress and worse well-being can reduce the effects of the COVID-19 vaccine
- However, there is also good news. We can influence some of these factors, argue the researchers, providing a list of activities that should be performed before vaccination
- For more information on vaccination against COVID-19, visit the TvoiLokony home page
Stress and COVID-19 Vaccines
The COVID-19 vaccines in use today are highly effective, but how the body reacts to them is influenced by many factors, such as mental and physical health, and genetic and environmental factors. This is important especially in the era of a pandemic, when the need for isolation or the economic crisis affecting many industries and worsening our mental condition.
How stress affects vaccine performance and what can be done about it was studied by researchers at Ohio State University and the results were published in the medical journal Perspectives on Psychological Science.
In addition to the COVID-19 death toll, the coronavirus pandemic is also having a serious impact on our mental health. It causes anxiety and depression, and such stressors badly affect the human immune system and weaken its ability to prevent infection, says Annelise Madison, one of the study authors. We investigated how an emotional state can affect the body’s ability to trigger an immune response.
- Severe psychotic symptoms in people who have had COVID-19
How does the vaccine work?
Vaccines work by boosting our immune system. A few hours after vaccination, a natural (non-specific) immune response occurs at the cellular level as the body begins to recognize a potential biohazard. Over time, the body begins to produce antibodies against certain pathogens (specific immunity develops). The length of time the vaccine works depends on this. how long does the appropriate level of antibodies remain in our body.
Get enough sleep before getting vaccinated
– In our research, we focused on how antibodies respond. We know that psychological and behavioral factors can increase the time it takes for immunity to develop and also shorten the time it takes to act. We have found that we can influence some of these factors. There are a few simple things that can be done to increase the initial effectiveness of the vaccine, said Janice Kiecolt-Glaser, director of the Institute for Behavioral Medicine Research at Ohio State University.
- How long does immunity last in people who have had COVID-19? New research
The authors of the research suggest that it is worth taking care of physical activity and good sleep 24 hours before vaccination. Then our immune system will work with greater efficiency, which in turn will translate into a faster and stronger immune response.
Even short-term measures to improve our condition can be effective in improving our response to the vaccine. So it’s important to recognize people with weaker immunity and do whatever it takes to minimize their risk factors, Madison said.
Read also:
- Sequence of vaccinations against COVID-19. Check which group you belong to [EXPLAINED]
- Does Frost Kill Coronavirus? The infectious doctor explains
- Nine arguments to convince skeptics to vaccinate
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