Vaccination and sport: a systematic review

INTRODUCTION: Infectious diseases pose a significant risk to athletes, especially professional athletes, due to the nature of their training, travel, and close contact with other individuals. The athletic environment, characterized by crowded training facilities, shared equipment, and frequent exposure to large groups of people, can create a setting at increased risk for the transmission and spread of various infectious agents. EVIDENCE ACQUISITION: Our study aims to systematically review the role of vaccination in athletes, mainly focusing on professional athletes. We will focus on the evidence in the literature regarding the infectious risk of vaccine-preventable diseases and the recommendations relating to vaccine prophylaxis. The Scopus, MEDLINE/PubMed, and ISI Web of Knowledge were systematically searched. Research articles, brief reports, letters, and editorials published between January 1st, 2003, and May 15th, 2023, were included in our search. EVIDENCE SYNTHESIS: Vaccination plays a pivotal role in reducing the incidence and severity of vaccine-preventable illnesses among athletes. Infectious diseases can profoundly impact athletes health and disrupt their training schedules and competitions, leading to financial losses and posing a risk to the broader sports community. CONCLUSIONS: Sports federations have a responsibility to provide guidelines and support to athletes regarding vaccination and preventive measures. By prioritizing athletes health and implementing comprehensive strategies, the impact of infectious diseases on athletes can be minimized, and safe and secure competitions can be ensured.