Twenty-two British adults with relatively low plasma selenium concentrations were randomly assigned to receive, in double-blind fashion, 50 or 100 mcg/day of selenium or placebo for 15 weeks. All subjects received an oral live attenuated poliomyelitis vaccine after six weeks. Compared with placebo, selenium supplementation increased the cellular immune response to polio vaccine (as determined by increased production of interferon gamma and other cytokines, an earlier peak in T cell proliferation, and an increase in T helper cells) and resulted in a more rapid clearance of the poliovirus. The higher dose of selenium tended to be more effective than the lower dose.

In a second study, oral administration of a single 2-g dose of vitamin C along with the first dose of rabies vaccine increased the mean serum concentration of alpha-interferon 22-fold, compared with rabies vaccine alone. This effect of vitamin C was considered to be of potential clinical importance, since the protective effect of rabies vaccine is related in part to its capacity to stimulate interferon production

Comment: In these studies, supplementation with selenium or vitamin C enhanced the immune response to certain vaccines. Other research has found that vitamin A can increase the antibody response to diphtheria vaccine, although the effects of vitamin A on the response to other vaccines have been conflicting. Good nutrition may also reduce the adverse effects of vaccination. In the 1970s, Kalakerinos observed that supplementing with vitamin C could prevent post-vaccination deaths, which had been a frequent occurrence among aborigine children.

There is still a great deal to be learned about the interaction of nutrition and vaccination. However, if we as a society are going to subject our children to a host of vaccines, it should be a high priority to determine how best to enhance their safety and efficacy.

Broome CS, et al. An increase in selenium intake improves immune function and poliovirus handling in adults with marginal selenium status. Am J Clin Nutr 2004;80:154-162.

Stantic-Pavlinic M, et al. Vitamin C - a challenge in management of rabies. Swiss Med Wkly 2004;134:326-327.