Seasonal UV exposure and vitamin D: association with the dynamics of COVID-19 transmission in Europe

Low UV exposure can affect the required production of vitamin D in the body, which substantially influences the dynamics of COVID-19 transmission and severity.

• The number of COVID-19 cases were low during June-August 2020 
• At the start of autumn, several European countries including France, the UK, and Spain reported record numbers of COVID-19 cases. 
• Average daily new cases showed a significant negative association with temperature, UV radiation, and UVDVF in European counties studied. 

1,577,260 subjects in European countries (55, 198 COVID-19 positive; 1,522,062 COVID-19 negative

• There is a delayed effect of exposure to UV radiation on COVID-19 reduction in different populations. 
• COVID-19 transmission depends on several factors such as public health interventions, population density, travel, lockdown, and other factors that we not accounted for in the study. 

• Our finding suggests that adequate daily UV exposure or vitamin D supplementation will be helpful in maintaining optimal vitamin D levels in the body, which could reduce the risk of contracting COVID-19. However, food habits and dietary supplements could also be potential factors in determining individual vitamin D levels. Moreover, the relative contribution of seasonal UV exposure on plasma 25 (OH) vitamin D levels is unknown. 

Meta-analysis of all related published literature based on the association between vitamin D and COVID-19, then analyzed meteorological data and daily COVID-19 cases per million in the populations of 26 European countries.

Mukherjee SB, Gorohovski A, Merzon E, Levy E, Mukherjee S, Frenkel-Morgenstern M. Seasonal UV exposure and vitamin D: association with the dynamics of COVID-19 transmission in Europe. FEBS Open Bio. 2022 Jan;12(1):106-117. doi: 10.1002/2211-5463.13309. Epub 2021 Dec 4. PMID: 34608759; PMCID: PMC8653358.