Health

Tuberculosis vaccine may play a role in COVID-19 prophylaxis

Studies have shown that a century-old TB vaccine can be used to treat and prevent COVID-19.

A group of researchers at the Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles found evidence that the tuberculosis vaccine is associated with a reduced likelihood of contracting coronavirus infection in 2019 (COVID-19). Studies have also found that vaccines can help reduce the level of illness severity.

The Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) vaccine was first developed around 1921 for people who treat bladder cancer and are at high risk of developing tuberculosis. The vaccine is FDA approved and is given to more than 100 million children worldwide each year.

Research published in Clinical research journal, Tested evidence of SARS-CoV-2 on more than 6,000 health care workers in the Cedars-Sinai Health system and asked about their medical history and vaccination history. The study found that 30% of people who received the BCG vaccine at some point in the past were significantly less likely to test positive for SARS-CoV-2 antibodies. They are also less likely to report COVID-19 infection or COVID-19-related symptoms.

“Individuals vaccinated with BCG may have less disease and therefore less production of anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies or have shown a more efficient cellular immune response to the virus,” Moshe Arditi, said. MD, co. -Senior author of research.

The results of this study do not represent the view that the BCG vaccine is more effective than certain COVID-19 vaccinations. However, given the many years of experience with approved treatments, BCG vaccines may become approved more quickly and become more accessible. Vaccines have the potential to be a potential bridge that offers several benefits until the more effective and safer COVID-19 vaccine becomes widely available.

“Based on our findings, we believe that large-scale randomized clinical trials are urgently needed to see if BCG vaccination can elicit a protective effect against SARS-CoV2 infection.” Said other co-authors, Susan Chang, MD, MPH and MMSc. the study.

Numerous randomized clinical trials are already underway to study the potential of BCG vaccines against COVID-19. Along with Cedars-Sinai, Baylor College of Medicine and Texas A & M University are leading the study. “It would be great if one of the oldest vaccines we have could help defeat the latest pandemics in the world,” Alditi said.

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Tuberculosis vaccine may play a role in COVID-19 prophylaxis