HYPOTHESIS We hypothesize that modulating the gut microbiota with a microbiome immunity formula can rebalance the gut microbiota in populations at risk of infection, like, patients with type 2 DM and elderlies and can lower the number of hospitalisation and reduce side effects associated with COVID-19 vaccination.~AIM We aim to evaluate the efficacy of modulating gut microbiota with a microbiome immunity formula in vulnerable subjects (patients with underlying type 2 DM and elderlies) in improving immune functions, reducing adverse events associated with COVID-19 vaccinations and reducing hospitalisation in susceptible individuals during the COVID-19 pandemic.~STUDY DESIGN This is a double-blinded, randomized, active-placebo controlled study comparing a microbiome immunity formula and placebo in enhancing immunity and reducing hospitalisation within one year. Except two kinds of subjects (Substudy 1: Patients with Type 2 DM and Substudy 2: Elderly individual) will be included in respective substudy, all other methodologies are the same. In each substudy, at least half of the recruited subjects will plan to receive COVID-19 vaccination and start to take the study products after vaccination. Recruited subjects will be randomised to receive a microbiome immunity formula or active placebo for 3 months, with another 9 months follow-up after completion of study products.
The novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus is now a pandemic and has culminated major morbidity and mortality globally. Studies have shown that patients with underlying type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM), obesity, old age and hypertension had a higher risk of developing severe COVID-19 infection and mortality related to COVID-19.Emerging evidence has shown that gut microbiota plays an important role in the pathogenesis of COVID-19.