Researchers of a large-scale retrospective study using a US electronic health records database (118 million patients; matched cohorts of infected, vaccinated, and unexposed controls) suggests that COVID-19 infection is linked to higher short-term risk of new airway inflammatory diseases, likely via type-2 airway inflammation localized to the respiratory tract. Over 3 months, prior infection was associated with increased hazards for incident asthma (+66%), chronic rhinosinusitis (+74%), and allergic rhinitis (~+27%) compared with unexposed controls. No signal was seen for atopic dermatitis or eosinophilic esophagitis, supporting organ-specific effects rather than a systemic type-2 surge.
By contrast, vaccination was associated with lower risk of new airway disease beyond protection from infection itself: a 32% lower risk of asthma (HR ≈ 0.68) and a modest reduction in chronic rhinosinusitis (HR ≈ 0.80) versus unvaccinated, unexposed controls after propensity matching. Clinically, this supports counseling on COVID-19 vaccination as part of airway disease prevention and maintaining vigilance for new-onset asthma or sinus disease following infection (eg, prompt assessment if cough/wheeze or persistent nasal symptoms emerge). Findings are constrained by the retrospective design, short follow up, and potential residual confounding (eg, healthcare-seeking behavior); longer prospective studies are needed to confirm durability and refine which patient groups benefit most.
Reference: Ferruggia K. COVID-19 Vaccination Could Lower Risk of Developing Asthma. Pharmacy Times. Published August 28, 2025. Accessed September 8, 2025. https://www.pharmacytimes.com/view/covid-19-vaccination-could-lower-risk-of-developing-asthma
Link: https://www.pharmacytimes.com/view/covid-19-vaccination-could-lower-risk-of-developing-asthma
