Obesity predisposes individuals to less effective vaccine responses
Is it true that obesity predisposes individuals to less effective vaccine responses?
Partly. The claim that obesity leads to less effective vaccine responses is contested in the literature; while several studies and reviews indicate that high body mass index impairs immunogenicity and antibody production (particularly in males), other clinical and epidemiological analyses find no significant reduction in real-world vaccine effectiveness or seroprotection rates.
Verdict: OVERSTATED · 4 sources for, 2 against · Last checked
Weighing the retrieved literature reveals a split. Papers 3, 4, 6, and 10 support the premise that obesity negatively impacts vaccine-induced immunity, antibody titers, or seroconversion (often with sex-specific nuances). Conversely, Papers 7 and 9 find no statistically significant impairment of seroprotection or clinical vaccine effectiveness among individuals with elevated BMI. Because there are valid sources on both sides showing negative immunological impacts versus preserved clinical effectiveness/seroprotection, the verdict is CONTESTED.
Obesity is associated with impaired immunogenicity for some vaccines, though findings are mixed regarding real-world effectiveness.
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Lee, T., Kim, C., Lee, P., Seo, S., Bae, E., Kim, Y. S., Kim, S., & Kim, D. (2019). Outer membrane vesicle increases the efficacy of an influenza vaccine in a diet-induced obese mouse model.. doi.org. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.imlet.2019.12.009
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Clarke, M., Goodchild, L., Evans, S., Giles, L., Sullivan, S., Barr, I., Lambert, S., & Marshall, H. (2021). Body mass index and vaccine responses following influenza vaccination during pregnancy.. doi.org. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.vaccine.2021.06.065
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Yamamoto, S., Mizoue, T., Tanaka, A., Oshiro, Y., Inamura, N., Konishi, M., Ozeki, M., Miyo, K., Sugiura, W., Sugiyama, H., & Ohmagari, N. (2021). Sex-associated differences between body mass index and SARS-CoV-2 antibody titers following the BNT162b2 vaccine among 2,435 healthcare workers in Japan. doi.org. https://doi.org/10.1101/2021.08.30.21262862
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JB, D. S., G, B. N., & AH, G. (2025). Exploring How Adipose Tissue, Obesity, and Gender Influence the Immune Response to Vaccines: A Comprehensive Narrative Review.. doi.org. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms26020862
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Wolfe, B., Pantha, S., Vijayakumar, S., Magar, S. B., Aboellail, T., & Dhakal, S. (2025). Females with obesity exhibit greater influenza vaccine-induced immunity and protection than males in a mouse model. doi.org. https://doi.org/10.3389/fimmu.2025.1699275
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King, J. P., Nguyen, H. Q., Kiniry, E., Phillips, C., Gaglani, M., Martin, E. T., Geffel, K. M., Nowalk, M., Chung, J., Flannery, B., & Belongia, E. (2024). Elevated body mass index is not significantly associated with reduced influenza vaccine effectiveness. doi.org. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-72081-z
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Obesity is associated with impaired immunogenicity for some vaccines, though findings are mixed regarding real-world effectiveness.
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