Sex and gender differences in the outcomes of vaccination over the life course

KL Flanagan, AL Fink, M Plebanski… - Annual review of cell …, 2017 - annualreviews.org
Annual review of cell and developmental biology, 2017annualreviews.org
Both sex (ie, biological differences) and gender (ie, social or cultural influences) impact
vaccine acceptance, responses, and outcomes. Clinical data illustrate that among children,
young adults, and aged individuals, males and females differ in vaccine-induced immune
responses, adverse events, and protection. Although males are more likely to receive
vaccines, following vaccination, females typically develop higher antibody responses and
report more adverse effects of vaccination than do males. Human, nonhuman animal, and in …
Both sex (i.e., biological differences) and gender (i.e., social or cultural influences) impact vaccine acceptance, responses, and outcomes. Clinical data illustrate that among children, young adults, and aged individuals, males and females differ in vaccine-induced immune responses, adverse events, and protection. Although males are more likely to receive vaccines, following vaccination, females typically develop higher antibody responses and report more adverse effects of vaccination than do males. Human, nonhuman animal, and in vitro studies reveal numerous immunological, genetic, hormonal, and environmental factors that differ between males and females and contribute to sex- and gender-specific vaccine responses and outcomes. Herein, we address the impact of sex and gender variables that should be considered in preclinical and clinical studies of vaccines.
Annual Reviews