A collection of scientific studies has revealed the important role two specific strains of probiotics play in improving the effectiveness and longevity of the flu vaccine.
According to researchers, an extensive range of clinical trials show that probiotics can increase antibody levels (to protect against the flu virus) by 13-20%1.
The collection of scientific data indicate that a course of probiotics taken from the day of flu vaccination and containing the strains LGG (20 billion) and BB-12 can result in a significant increase in flu virus protection.1,2
In these studies, 84% of LGG subjects achieved protective antibody levels versus 55% of placebo subjects.2
With peak flu season around the corner, the findings are particularly timely and follow the Australian Influenza Surveillance Report, which showed that just 30-60 per cent of flu vaccine recipients make adequate antibodies to protect themselves against the virus.3
This follows other recent studies which conclude that flu vaccine protection can vanish in as little as 90 days leaving patients once again at risk.4
To further complicate matters, microbiome destruction by antibiotics has also been shown to reduce immune responses to the flu vaccine.5
In Australia there are 40 million antibiotic scripts filled each year, with most patients taking multiple courses annually. Therefore, there’s a real risk that their immune response to vaccination may be inadequate.
Probiotics: working hand-in-hand with the flu vaccine to enhance immunity
According to Nathan Rose, Metagenics Head of Science, the reason certain probiotics make the flu vaccine stronger and last longer is due to the microbiota-immune interaction, which is essential for effective antibody development.6
“Antibodies to the flu vaccine are produced when the body’s Toll Like Receptor (TRL)-5 is signalled, however the vaccine itself doesn’t stimulate TRL-5. Rather, that process is part of the body’s natural immune response and requires the help of the intestinal microbial flagella, which is where probiotics come in4,” he says.
Mr Rose adds that the probiotic strains LGG and BB-12 both have an impact on the microbial flagella, which signal the TRL-5 to produce antibodies such as lgG and lgA in response to a vaccine or viral pathogen.
“And this process is what enables the immune system to build a plan of attack and remember what to do next time it comes into contact with the virus,” he adds.
What this means for Australians this flu season
2020 saw a record 18 million flu vaccines administered in Australia, up from 13.2 million in 2019, a positive trend which health experts expect to see again this flu season – as consumers take all measures to protect themselves against ill-health and Covid-19.
However, at a time where consumer vaccine literacy has never been higher, health experts are calling for greater discussion around flu vaccine efficacy, so that Australians are educated and informed on what they could be doing to improve its effectiveness and heighten their own health.
“There is no question that the flu vaccine helps to protect and save the lives of Australians young and old and is especially important in this era of Covid-19,” says Dr Michela Sorensen, General Practitioner and one of Australia’s leading medical educators.
“However, what many people don’t know is that the effectiveness of the flu vaccine changes yearly and typically sits between around 40-50%.
“While it does reduce the risk of contracting the flu, there’s also a large number of people who don’t make enough antibodies to protect themselves from the flu and it also only protects for a limited period of time.
“But this promising new body of research shows that there are simple things everyday Australians can do to boost the effectiveness of the flu jab and to better protect themselves against the debilitating, seasonal virus.
“When getting the flu vaccine, I would encourage all Australians to speak with their healthcare professional about how to improve its effectiveness and in particular, enquire about a treatment course of probiotics that specifically contain the strains LGG and BB-12,” she adds.
“The great news is, that this presents such a simple and attainable measure to boosting flu vaccine effectiveness that is fully supported by science,” she says.
Dr Sorenson adds that consumers do need to be aware that not all probiotics are made equal and that they do need to look for those that contain the strains LGG and BB-12.
References:
- Yeh et al.2017 systematic review and meta-analysis to determine the influence of prebiotics, probiotics and symbiotic supplementation on vaccine response to influenza vaccination, 12 studies, 688 participants.i.Probiotic supplements had higher influenza HGI antibody titers after vaccination for H1N1, H3n2 and B strain by 20%, 19.5% and 13.5% respectively.
- Lei W-T, Shih P-C, Liu S-J, Lin C-Y, Yeh T-L. Effect of Probiotics and Prebiotics on Immune Response to Influenza Vaccination in Adults: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials. Nutrients. 2017 Nov;9(11):1175.
- Health AGD of. Australian Influenza Surveillance Report and Activity Updates. Influenza vaccine efficacy, effectiveness and impact explained – PDF [Internet]. Australian Government Department of Health; [cited 2021 Feb 16]. Available from: https://www1.health.gov.au/internet/main/publishing.nsf/Content/cda-surveil-ozfluflucurr.htm
- Cohen. Apr. 18 J, 2019, Pm 2:00. How long do vaccines last? The surprising answers may help protect people longer [Internet]. Science | AAAS. 2019 [cited 2021 Feb 16]. Available from: https://www.sciencemag.org/news/2019/04/how-long-do-vaccineslast-surprising-answers-may-help-protect-people-longer
- Hagan T, Cortese M, Rouphael N, Boudreau C, Linde C, Maddur MS, et al. AntibioticsDriven Gut Microbiome Perturbation Alters Immunity to Vaccines in Humans. Cell. 2019 Sep 5;178(6):1313-1328.e13.
- Zimmermann P, Curtis N. The influence of the intestinal microbiome on vaccine responses. Vaccine. 2018 Jul 16;36(30):4433–9. 5 Lei W-T, Shih P-C, Liu S-J, Lin C-Y, Yeh T-L. Effect of Probiotics and Prebiotics on Immune Response to Influenza Vaccination in Adults: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials. Nutrients. 2017 Nov;9(11):1175.
