Lead Author: Dörr, et al.
Original date of publication: 08/09/2025
Link: https://www.nature.com/articles/s43856-025-01046-8
Summary Context
Study of 1,745 healthcare workers finds mRNA boosters raise risk of influenza-like illness by up to 70% and increase workdays lost by 50%.
Comments
In this study, 1,745 healthcare workers in Switzerland were followed over several months and found that those who received a COVID-19 booster were more likely to report flu-like symptoms and take sick leave.The study suggests that COVID-19 boosters do not offer any clear short-term benefits and may even increase short-term illness risk, raising questions about the use of booster vaccines moving forward.A conflicting message within the study is found in the introduction where the authors state, “The SARS-CoV-2 vaccine has contributed majorly towards ending the pandemic worldwide…” without providing evidence for this statement. This statement is followed with two citations, one by the WHO and one by the Swedish government, which are supposed to support this claim but neither citation addresses the assertion as they only speak to recommendations for the vaccines.In contrast with the above assertion the authors conclude that the SARS-CoV-2 booster vaccination “did not contribute to a measurable protection of the healthcare workforce studied.” Despite any mixed message that may be internal to the study, the primary findings of the study, workers get noticeably sick when using mRNA boosters, is another red flag for the continued use of mRNA vaccines.
Abstract or Results, Key Passages
“In both analyses, we show that more SARS-CoV-2 vaccinations are associated with a higher risk of influenza-like respiratory illness and workdays lost. For influenza-like respiratory illness, the association is stronger with a more recent timing of the vaccination rather than the number of vaccinations, which suggests that the effect wanes over time. In contrast, seasonal influenza vaccination is associated with a decreased risk for both outcomes.[..]Based on our data, we conclude that SARS-CoV-2 booster vaccination does not contribute to the protection of the healthcare workforce in a post-pandemic setting. SARS-CoV-2 vaccination may even temporarily increase the likelihood of symptomatic infection and workday loss.”
Keywords: adverse eventsinfluenzainfluenza-like-illness (ILI)seasonal influenza vaccinevaccination
Full Author List: Tamara Dörr, Joanne Lacy, Tala Ballouz, Alexia Cusini, Fabian Grässli, Sarah Haile, Emina Kocan, J. Carsten Möller, Milo A. Puhan, Matthias Schlegel, Matthias von Kietzell, Markus Rütti, Reto Stocker, Danielle Vuichard Gysin, Christian R. Kahlert, Stefan P. Kuster & Philipp Kohler for the SURPRISE+ Study Group
