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Psychological interventions as vaccine adjuvants: A systematic review

VACCINE (2019)

Journal

VACCINE

Volume 37, Issue 25, Pages 3255-3266

Publisher

ELSEVIER SCI LTD

DOI: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2019.04.091

Keywords

Vaccinations; Antibodies; Psychological interventions

Funding

Nottingham City Clinical Commissioning Group through a Research Capability Funding award
National Institute for Health Research School for Primary Care Research (NIHR SPCR)
MRC [MR/M005615/1, G0802413] Funding Source: UKRI

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Abstract

Objectives: The effectiveness of vaccines is known to be altered by a range of psychological factors. We conducted a systematic review to evaluate the effects of psychological interventions on the ability of vaccines to protect against disease, as measured by antibody responses. Methods: Electronic databases (EMBASE, Medline, PsychINFO, CINAHL) were searched from their inception to 6th February 2018. Results: The search yielded 9 eligible trials conducted with 1603 participants and four broad categories of intervention: meditation/mindfulness (n = 3), massage (n = 3), expressive writing (n = 2) and cognitive behavioural stress management (n = 1). Some evidence of benefit on the antibody response to vaccination was observed in 6/9 of all trials and in 4/7 of randomised controlled trials. However, effects on antibody levels were often mixed, with only 3 of 6 trials showing benefit demonstrating an improvement in all antibody outcomes and at all time points assessed. Trials demonstrating benefit also provided direct or indirect evidence of adequate adherence with the intervention; and in 50% of these trials, there was also evidence that the intervention was effective in changing the mediating psychological constructs targeted by the intervention. Conclusions: This literature is characterised by considerable heterogeneity in terms of intervention type, vaccine type, age of participants and the temporal relationship between vaccination and intervention. We conclude that there is early evidence to suggest that psychological interventions may enhance the antibody response to vaccination. However, the effects are inconsistent, with the greatest likelihood of benefit seen in trials evidencing adequate adherence with the intervention. Future work would benefit from rigorous intervention development that focuses on achieving adequate adherence and large well-controlled randomised trials with a focus on an agreed set of outcomes. (C) 2019 Published by Elsevier Ltd.

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Homologous and Heterologous Covid-19 Booster Vaccinations

R. L. Atmar, K. E. Lyke, M. E. Deming, L. A. Jackson, A. R. Branche, H. M. El Sahly, C. A. Rostad, J. M. Martin, C. Johnston, R. E. Rupp, M. J. Mulligan, R. C. Brady, R. W. Frenck, M. Backer, A. C. Kottkamp, T. M. Babu, K. Rajakumar, S. Edupuganti, D. Dobrzynski, R. N. Coler, C. M. Posavad, J. Archer, S. Crandon, S. U. Nayak, D. Szydlo, J. A. Zemanek, C. P. Dominguez Islas, E. R. Brown, M. S. Suthar, M. J. McElrath, A. B. McDermott, D. C. Montefiori, A. Eaton, K. M. Neuzil, D. S. Stephens, P. C. Roberts, J. H. Beigel

Summary: This study investigated the efficacy of homologous and heterologous booster vaccines in adults who had completed a primary Covid-19 vaccine regimen. The results showed that both types of booster vaccines were safe and immunogenic.

NEW ENGLAND JOURNAL OF MEDICINE (2022)