…that if you have received your vaccinations after having a good night’s sleep the night before., there has been found to be a greater immune response, and higher efficacy of the vaccine? 1.
Studies also found that lack of sleep at night immediately after immunisation against Hepatitis A virus, reduced both humoral and cellular immunity2.
There’s more.., if you received the vaccine during the morning following your good nights sleep, there is also improved immune-response and vaccine efficacy than if receiving it during the afternoon, or evening 3. This shows that there is an importance of circadian rhythm., and it’s relationship to immune cells, and immune response regulation.
And ofcourse… a note on sleep duration. A clinical study has shown that people who slept 5-6 hours were 4 times more likely to have a viral infection, as opposed to those who slept 7 hours or more4 showing that sleep duration and deprivation, also effects our immune response and constitution.
Infact., various studies have shown the effects of partial sleep deprivation on vaccine efficacy. Those people who had completed a normal, 7-8-hour sleep schedule actually had a 2.5-fold higher antibody titer for the H1N1 influenza virus than those who slept 4 hours 3,5.
Improving sleep might be a reasonably simple and achievable strategy for increasing immune health and vaccine efficacy.
References
1.Benedict, C., Cedernaes, J., (2021) Could a good night’s sleep improve COVID-19 vaccine efficacy? Lancet Respir. Med. 2021, 9, 447–448.
2. Rayatdoost, E., Rahmanian, M., Sanie, M. S., Rahmanian, J., et al. (2022). Sufficient Sleep, Time of Vaccination, and Vaccine Efficacy: A Systematic Review of the Current Evidence and a Proposal for COVID-19 Vaccination. The Yale journal of biology and medicine, 95(2), 221-235.
3. Haspel, J. A., Anafi, R., et al. (2020) Perfect timing: Circadian rhythms, sleep, and immunity—An nih workshop summary. JCI Insight 2020, 5, e131487.
4. Faraut, B., Boudjeltia, K. Z., et al. (2011) Benefits of napping and an extended duration of recovery sleep on alertness and immune cells after acute sleep restriction. Brain Behav. Immun. 2011, 25, 16–24.
5. Poluektov, M. G. (2021) Vaktsinatsiya i son [Vaccination and sleep]. Zh. Nevrol Psikhiatr Im., S. S. Korsakova. 2021;121(4. Vyp. 2):5. Russian.
Originally published: 07/01/2023 This article was recently reviewed by author for accuracy and updated on 2nd October 2026, to include the latest information and taxonomy.
Whilst every care is taken to ensure accurate, reputable and the most recent sources and research for this information, this content is not intended as substitute for advice or treatment from a professional clinician. As with conventional medicines, herbal and natural medicines have active ingredients and can have potent effects and interactions with the body, medications, and with other conditions. Especially for those who are taking prescription or over-the-counter medications, it is advised to consult a professional herbalist or medical doctor before beginning any herbal, supplement or lifestyle program. Care and responsible administration is always strongly advocated.
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