Levels of pro-inflammatory (IFN-γ, IL-1β, IL-6, IL-9, IL-12p70, CCL11) and anti-inflammatory (IL-4, IL-5, IL-10, IL-13) cytokines, as well as VEGF, were higher in severely ill COVID-19 patients as compared to pandemic influenza A(H1N1) subjects. This evidence concerns the gene IL6 and COVID-19.