World Sleep Day: Sleeping Less? It Could Reduce The Efficacy Of Vaccinations

New Delhi: It is a well-acknowledged fact that awry sleeping habits are the order of the day, especially among youngsters. Staying awake late into the night is very common, whether it is due to work, socialising or even in the confines of the bedroom. In fact, it has become somewhat of a fad, ignoring that a disturbed sleeping pattern can wreak havoc on the body.

Since we are living in times of all kinds of flu, on this World Sleep Day, let’s discuss the effect lack of sleep can have on the efficacy of vaccinations.

A vaccine works by stimulating the body’s immune system to recognise and fight a particular illness. The immune system is responsible for producing antibodies to fight off infections. These antibodies provide protection against future infections by recognising and attacking the virus or bacterium responsible for causing the illness. However, the immune system’s response varies depending on various factors, including age, genetics, nutrition, and sleep.

Research has shown that sleep plays a vital role in the body’s immune response to vaccines. Sleep duration and quality also significantly influence the antibody response to the influenza vaccine. Researchers suggest that people with a sleep schedule of fewer than 6 hours have reduced antibody production compared to those who slept more than seven hours per night. Furthermore, sleep quality was also linked to the immune response, with poorer sleep quality associated with a weaker antibody response to the flu vaccine, according to an NDTV report.

A new study, published in the journal Current Biology, undertook a meta-analysis on existing research on sleep and immune function after vaccination against influenza A and Hepatitis A and B. When only studies that used self-reported sleep duration were analyzed, antibodies were reduced in people who slept less than six hours, but the association between a lack of sleep and immunity after vaccination was not scientifically significant. However, when only studies that used objective measures — such as requiring people to come to a sleep lab, or when devices that can accurately track sleep were used — there was a “robust” association, especially for men, Irwin, who directs UCLA’s Cousins Center for Psychoneuroimmunology and Mindful Awareness Research Center was quoted as saying by CNN.

People who got less than six hours of sleep produced fewer antibodies than people who slept for seven hours or more, according to the analysis. The reduction in immune response affected adults between 18 and 60 more than people over the age of 65. That is because “older adults tend to sleep less in general, (so) going from seven hours of sleep per night to less than six hours is not as big of a change as going from eight hours to less than six.”

Sleep plays a vital role in the body’s immune response to vaccines. Sleep duration and quality also significantly influence the antibody response to the influenza vaccine. Researchers suggest that people with a sleep schedule of fewer than 6 hours have reduced antibody production compared to those who slept more than seven hours per night. Furthermore, sleep quality was also linked to the immune response, with poorer sleep quality associated with a weaker antibody response to the flu vaccine.

A lack of proper sleep can negatively affect the efficacy of vaccinations. When we don’t get enough sleep, our bodies produce fewer antibodies, reducing the effectiveness of the vaccine. This could potentially leave us vulnerable to infection or reduce the duration of immunity provided by the vaccine.

Sleep deprivation has also been shown to impair the immune system’s ability to create long-term immunity, reducing the effectiveness of vaccines in the long run. Sleep deprivation could also lead to a significant reduction in the number of T-cells available in the body. These T-cells play a crucial role in fighting infections and developing long-term immunity, the NDTV report said.

To conclude, If you’re scheduling an appointment for a vaccination — whether for Covid-19, the flu or for travel to another country — make sure you’re getting a long, restful night’s slumber before you head to the doctor. Sleeping less than six hours the night before you get the shot may limit your body’s response to the vaccine, reducing protection against the virus or bacteria