Immunomodulatory Effect of Probiotics on the Immunogenicity of Anti-SARS-CoV-2 Vaccines

Large-scale clinical trials have demonstrated that COVID-19 vaccines effectively reduce the incidence of COVID-19, as well as the risk of severe disease and mortality. These protective effects are primarily mediated through vaccine-induced immune responses, including both humoral immunity (antibody production) and cellular immunity.

Probiotics are widely recognized for their potential health benefits and are commonly consumed in foods such as yogurt. Emerging evidence suggests that probiotic supplementation may enhance immune responses to vaccination, as demonstrated in studies involving influenza vaccines.

This study is designed to investigate whether oral probiotic supplementation can modulate the immune response to COVID-19 vaccination. The study will evaluate both antibody responses and cellular immune responses following vaccination, and assess whether probiotics can enhance or accelerate the development of vaccine-induced immunity. In addition, the study will explore whether probiotic supplementation may reduce vaccine-related adverse effects.

A total of 140 participants are planned to be enrolled in this study.

Inclusion criteria

• Male or female subject ≥ 20 to ≤ 65 years of age at the time signing informed consent form.
• Body weight ≥50 kgs
• Must be scheduling to receive a BNT162b2 mRNA COVID-19 vaccine
• Being able to comply with the study protocol
• Being able to independently provide written informed consent

Exclusion criteria

• Taking antibiotic at enrollment
• Taking immunomodulatory (e.g., steroid) or anti-histamine drugs
• Took pre- or probiotics within the past 30 days
• Being to expected to take other probiotic supplement during the study period
• Being expected to take antibiotic during the study period
• A history of hypersensitivity or severe allergic reaction to any components of the probiotics or placebo supplement
• Pregnant or breastfeeding
• Having a severe immunocompromised disorder (e.g. HIV infection)
• Solid organ or bone marrow transplant recipients
• Major gastrointestinal surgery within 3 months before enrollment
• Having severe active gastrointestinal conditions, including inflammatory bowel disease or diverticulitis
• No self-reported symptoms of an upper airway infection with the past 2 weeks
• A history of SARS-CoV-2 infection
• Previously participated in investigational study involving SARS-CoV-2 vaccines or therapies