COVID-19 vaccination linked to reduced infections in children with eczema

ORLANDO (Nov. 6, 2025) – Children with atopic dermatitis (AD), commonly known as eczema, may experience fewer infections and allergic complications if they receive the COVID-19 vaccine, according to new research being presented at the 2025 American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (ACAAI) Annual Scientific Meeting in Orlando.

“Atopic dermatitis is a chronic skin condition driven by the immune system and often precedes the development of asthma and allergic rhinitis,” says medical student Tristan Nguyen, BS, lead author of the study. “Children with AD are also at higher risk for infections, including those affecting the skin and respiratory system.”

Researchers conducted a retrospective cohort study, analyzing 5,758 vaccinated and 5,758 unvaccinated pediatric AD patients, younger than 17 years of age. The subjects were matched for demographics and health history. Children with prior COVID-19 infection or major comorbidities were excluded.

“Our study suggests that COVID-19 vaccination not only protects against coronavirus but may also have broader health benefits for children with atopic dermatitis,” said Zhibo Yang, MD, PhD, the principal investigator (PI) of the study. “We found lower rates of both allergic conditions and infections among vaccinated children compared to their unvaccinated peers.”

Key findings included:

• Vaccinated children had significantly fewer infections such as otitis media, pneumonia, bronchitis, bronchiolitis, sinusitis, upper respiratory infections, impetigo, molluscum contagiosum, and other skin infections.
• Risks of allergic conditions were also lower in vaccinated children, including asthma, allergic rhinitis, contact dermatitis, and food-related anaphylaxis.
• From the time of vaccination to onset of infection, there was a delayed onset for several conditions, including allergic rhinitis, viral infections, and ear infections.“The results indicate that vaccination may help reduce the likelihood of atopic disease progression, such as the development of asthma, in children with eczema,” said Dr. Yang. “It reinforces the safety and potential added benefits of COVID-19 vaccination in this vulnerable population.”

The findings add to a growing body of evidence supporting vaccination as a valuable tool in protecting children with chronic allergic conditions.

Abstract Title: COVID-19 Vaccination is Associated with Reduced Complications in Pediatric Patients with Atopic Dermatitis

Presenter: Tristan Nguyen, BS

For more information about diagnosis and treatment of atopic dermatitis, or to find an allergist in your area, visit AllergyandAsthmaRelief.org. The ACAAI Annual Scientific Meeting is Nov. 6-10. For more news and research from the ACAAI Scientific Meeting, go to our newsroom and follow the conversation on X/Twitter #ACAAI25.

About ACAAI

The American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology (ACAAI) is a professional medical organization of more than 6,000 allergists-immunologists and allied health professionals, headquartered in Arlington Heights, Ill. Founded in 1942, the College fosters a culture of collaboration and congeniality in which its members work together and with others toward the common goals of patient care, education, advocacy, and research. ACAAI allergists are board-certified physicians trained to diagnose allergies and asthma, administer immunotherapy, and provide patients with the best treatment outcomes. For more information and to find relief, visit AllergyandAsthmaRelief.org. Join us on Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram, Threads and X.

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COVID-19 VACCINATION IS ASSOCIATED WITH REDUCED COMPLICATIONS IN PEDIATRIC PATIENTS WITH ATOPIC DERMATITIS

T. Nguyen^*1, T. Kumala², P. Nguyen³, H. Chan³, A. Pham⁴, J. Wang³, Y. Tanas², Z. Yang³, 1. Katy, TX; 2. Houston, TX; 3. Galveston, TX; 4. Leander, TX.

 Introduction: Atopic dermatitis (AD) involves immune dysregulation and increases the risk of allergic and infectious conditions, often preceding asthma and allergic rhinitis in the atopic triad. This study evaluated whether COVID-19 vaccination influences allergic or infection-related outcomes in children with AD.

Methods: A retrospective cohort study using TriNetX compared vaccinated and unvaccinated pediatric AD patients (≤17 years), excluding those with prior COVID-19 infection or major comorbidities. After 1:1 matching, 5,758 patients per cohort were analyzed using risk ratios (RRs) and hazard ratios (HRs) with 95% CIs (p < 0.05).

Results: COVID-19 vaccination was associated with reduced incidence of multiple infections, including otitis media (RR=0.623; 95%CI: 0.554–0.701), pneumonia (RR=0.604; 95%CI: 0.512–0.714), bronchitis (RR=0.488; 95%CI: 0.286–0.831), bronchiolitis (RR=0.480; 95%CI: 0.345–0.669), non-COVID viral infections (RR=0.547; 95%CI: 0.456–0.657), sinusitis (RR=0.549; 95%CI: 0.408–0.738), upper respiratory infections (RR=0.647; 95%CI: 0.582–0.720), impetigo (RR=0.492; 95%CI: 0.355–0.683), molluscum contagiosum (RR=0.597; 95%CI: 0.408–0.873), and skin infections (RR=0.559; 95%CI: 0.355–0.878). Risks of allergic complications were also reduced, including asthma (RR=0.696; 95%CI: 0.568–0.854), allergic rhinitis (RR=0.561; 95%CI: 0.477–0.660), contact dermatitis (RR=0.537; 95%CI: 0.320–0.901), and other allergy-related conditions such as anaphylactic food reactions (RR=0.703; 95%CI: 0.525–0.941) indicating potential protection against atopic progression. Hazard analysis showed significantly delayed time-to-event onset for otitis media, bronchiolitis, viral infections, upper respiratory infections, and allergic rhinitis (all p < 0.05). No significant differences were observed in psychiatric or growth-related outcomes.

Conclusion: COVID-19 vaccination is associated with reduced asthma and other immune-mediated complications in children with atopic dermatitis. These findings support the safety and potential broader protective benefits of vaccination in this population.