biostudies-literatureYechezkel MEuropean Research CouncilKoret FoundationIsrael Science Foundation (ISF)169https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC11344792biostudies-literatureUnknown4(1)<h4>Background</h4>Public reluctance to receive COVID-19 vaccination is associated with safety concerns. By contrast, the seasonal influenza vaccine has been administered for decades with a solid safety record and a high level of public acceptance. We compare the safety profile of the BNT162b2 COVID-19 booster vaccine to that of the seasonal influenza vaccine.<h4>Methods</h4>We study a prospective cohort of 5079 participants in Israel and a retrospective cohort of 250,000 members of MHS selected randomly. We examine reactions to BNT162b2 mRNA COVID-19 booster and to influenza vaccinations. All prospective cohort participants wore a smartwatch and completed a daily digital questionnaire. We compare pre-vaccination and post-vaccination smartwatch heart-rate data, and a stress measure based oCommunications medicineComparison of physiological and clinical reactions to COVID-19 and influenza vaccination.PMC11344792gift for Smart Cities and Digital Living3409/19#949850Shmueli EQian GBrandeau MLLevi YDavidovitch NYamin DYechezkel MfalseComparison of physiological and clinical reactions to COVID-19 and influenza vaccination.<h4>Background</h4>Public reluctance to receive COVID-19 vaccination is associated with safety concerns. By contrast, the seasonal influenza vaccine has been administered for decades with a solid safety record and a high level of public acceptance. We compare the safety profile of the BNT162b2 COVID-19 booster vaccine to that of the seasonal influenza vaccine.<h4>Methods</h4>We study a prospective cohort of 5079 participants in Israel and a retrospective cohort of 250,000 members of MHS selected randomly. We examine reactions to BNT162b2 mRNA COVID-19 booster and to influenza vaccinations. All prospective cohort participants wore a smartwatch and completed a daily digital questionnaire. We compare pre-vaccination and post-vaccination smartwatch heart-rate data, and a stress measure based o2024-01-01T00:00:00Z2024 Aug2025-04-18T16:55:09.757Z2025-04-07T04:24:43.776ZS-EPMC113447923918195010.1038/s43856-024-00588-7