Press Trust of IndiaJan 15, 2021 10:56:55 IST
Depression, stress and loneliness can weaken the body’s immune system, and reduce the effectiveness of some vaccines, including the new COVID-19 protective measures being developed and the early stages of global transmission, scientists say. According to an approved report for publication in the journal Views on Psychological Science, simple interventions, including exercise and getting a good night’s sleep in the 24 hours before vaccination, may increase the initial effectiveness of the vaccine. The researchers noted that even though rigorous testing has shown that the COVID-19 vaccines approved for distribution in the U.S. are highly effective in eliciting a strong immune response, everyone gets full benefit immediately.
Environmental factors, as well as a person’s genetics and physical and mental health, can weaken the body’s immune system, slowing down the response to vaccines, they said.
“In addition to the physical toll of COVID-19, the pandemic has a mental health role, causing anxiety and depression, among many other related problems,” said Annelise Madison, a State University researcher. Ohio in the USA.
“Emotional stresses like this can affect a person’s immune system, adversely affecting their ability to keep diseases at bay,” said Madison, lead author of the paper.
The report sheds light on the effectiveness of vaccinations and how changing health behaviors and emotional pressures can alter the body’s ability to develop an immune response.
Because mental health affects immunity, it is likely to have an effect on how well people ‘s groups respond to the vaccine. Image: Ben Blennerhassett / Unsplash
Vaccines work by challenging the immune system. Within hours of vaccination, there is a textured, generalized immune response at the cellular level as the body begins to recognize a potential biological hazard.
Ultimately this anti-inflammatory response by the immune system helps to produce antibodies, which target specific pathogens.
It is the continued production of antibodies that helps determine how effective a vaccine is in providing long-term protection.
“In our research, we focus heavily on antibody response, although it is only one component of the immune system response,” said Janice Kiecolt-Glaser, director of the Institute for Behavioral Medicine Research at State University Ohio, and senior author of the paper.
According to the researchers, most COVID-19 vaccines that are already in circulation are around 95 percent effective. However, psychological and behavioral factors can extend the time it takes to develop immunity, and can shorten immune time, they said.
“What makes me happy is that some of these factors are variable. It’s possible to do some simple things to increase the initial effectiveness of the vaccine,” Kiecolt-Glaser said.
The researchers suggest, based on prior research, that one strategy is to engage in vigorous exercise and get a good night’s sleep in the 24 hours before vaccination so that the immune system is working at high performance.
This may help ensure the best and strongest immune response happens as soon as possible, they said.
“Preliminary research suggests that psychological and behavioral interventions can improve vaccine response. Even short-term interventions can be effective,” Madison said.