Bibliometric analysis reveals growing research on vaccination in athletes post COVID-19, highlighting clinical care and immune response.
Introduction: Athletes face unique infection risks due to frequent travel, close-contact environments, and intense physical activity, which may temporarily suppress immune function. Despite their physical fitness, they remain vulnerable to infectious diseases that can impact performance and public health. Immunization is a key preventive strategy, yet research on vaccination in athletes is limited and underrepresented. This study aims to explore research on athlete vaccination using a bibliometric analysis. Methods: This bibliometric analysis systematically reviewed publications from the Scopus, Web of Science, MEDLINE, and CENTRAL databases up to 15 April 2025. Data were analyzed using VOSviewer® and R® (bibliometrix and biblioshiny). Results: After excluding non-human studies, 387 publications were included. Research output increased sharply after 2020, driven by the COVID-19 pandemic. Four thematic clusters emerged: clinical care and prevention, demographic vaccination outcomes, global epidemiology, and exercise-related immune response. The United States and the United Kingdom led in productivity and collaboration, while contributions from low- and middle-income countries were limited. Conclusion: This study underscores the growing interest in athlete immunization and the need for broader global research engagement especially in developing countries.
No takes yet. Share an insight, caveat, or question.
Haposan et al. (2025) studied this question.
Synapse has enriched 5 closely related papers on similar clinical questions. Consider them for comparative context: