High air pollution hits Covid vaccine response: Study
Air pollution can decrease Covid-19 vaccine antibody responses by 5% to 10%, according to a study of 927 participants in Spain who received one or two doses of vaccines made by AstraZeneca, Pfizer or Moderna. Higher levels of PM2.5, NO2 and black carbon were associated with a reduction in responses among those without prior infection. The study, published in Environmental Health Perspectives, measured three kinds of antibodies to five viral antigens. The IgG response peaked later in those exposed to higher pollution levels, while lower IgG levels persisted for months after vaccination. Results were similar for all three vaccines.