Nicole Stoffel (ETHZ 2021)

Effects of iron on immunity and vaccine response – in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic and future global viral threats

Iron deficiency (ID) may be an important, but previously unrecognized contributor to impaired adaptive immunity and reduced vaccine efficacy. Vaccines underperform in low-income countries, where prevalence of ID is highest, and where the COVID-19 pandemic is having massive impact.

The aim of this translational research program is to define the effects of ID on immune function, and determine whether iron supplementation improves vaccine response, in order to optimize vaccine efficacy throughout the life cycle. We will assess whether ID reduces vaccine response and whether iron repletion improves response in adults receiving influenza, yellow fever, and COVID-19 vaccines and in infants receiving routine pediatric vaccines. The overarching goal is to provide the evidence-base to optimize iron status and vaccine efficacy, both for common childhood diseases and in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic and future global viral threats.