Tuberculosis vaccine could help protect health workers from COVID-19

[canetoad]

A century-old vaccine used to prevent tuberculosis will be trialled on thousands of Australian doctors and nurses in an attempt to protect those on the frontline of the COVID-19 crisis from infection.

The Bacille Calmette-Guerin vaccine, also known as BCG, was first used to inoculate babies against tuberculosis in 1921 in a revolutionary move that saved the lives of millions.

Researchers at Melbourne's Murdoch Children's Research Institute are hoping they can now trigger a medical breakthrough in the fight against coronavirus with the drug.

The announcement comes two days after authorities revealed four Victorian health workers at a hospital emergency department in Melbourne's outer west had tested positive for coronavirus, fuelling fears more medics could contract the deadly virus as Australia edges closer to the peak of the pandemic, expected to hit in May or June.

More, including how this might work; https://www.theage.com.au/national/tuberculosis-vaccine-could-help-protect-health-workers-from-covid-19-20200326-p54e7h.html

[hlthe2b]

1. Worth a look, but I don't agree that BCG has been overall effective vaccine, although...

it does provide reasonable protection against some of the most serious forms of TB, especially in children-- and that is saying something.

[tavernier]

2. I think I had it.

I was born in Germany in 1946 and came to USA in 1950.
This was given in Germany in 1947 and on, and I remember having to get a large quantity of injections before I was allowed to go with my parents to the United States. I’m pretty certain they would have required that one as well, but since both of my parents are no longer living, I can’t ask them and I have no idea where those kind of records are, if they actually exist anymore.

[wendyb-NC]

3. Fascinating article, thank you for posting.