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. 2021 Aug:24:100249.
doi: 10.1016/j.jctube.2021.100249. Epub 2021 Jun 6.

Variances in BCG protection against COVID-19 mortality: A global assessment

Zouina Sarfraz  1   2 , Azza Sarfraz  1   3 , Krunal Pandav  1 , Sarabjot Singh Makkar  1 , Saman Hasan Siddiqui  3 , Gaurav Patel  1 , Tania Platero-Portillo  1 , Bishnu Mohan Singh  1 , Mohamed Iburahim Haja Maideen  1 , Deepika Sarvepalli  1 , Muzna Sarfraz  1 , Jose Cardona-Guzman  1 , Marcos A Sanchez-Gonzalez  1 , Ivan Cherrez-Ojeda  4
Affiliations

Variances in BCG protection against COVID-19 mortality: A global assessment

Zouina Sarfraz et al. J Clin Tuberc Other Mycobact Dis. 2021 Aug.

Abstract

The BCG vaccine is known to impart nonspecific immunological benefits alongside conferring protection to tuberculosis in endemic regions. It is also known to protect against bladder cancer and other respiratory tract infections. During the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, the BCG vaccine has gained attention due to its role in conferring protective immunity. We demonstrate the potential immunological protective mechanisms that play a role against COVID-19. We conduct a global assessment of the countries that have the highest and lowest mortality rates determined by an a priori methodology. Lastly, we discuss the potential limitations of incorporating BCG vaccines as potential strategies against COVID-19 and provide recommendations regarding their use in ongoing and future epidemics.

Keywords: BCG vaccine; Coronavirus; Heterologous immunity; Innate immunity; Policy.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
1 a and b. Global assessment of countries according to death rate per population and BCG vaccination policies. An a priori methodology was established to tabulate countries according to descending death rates per population. The top and bottom 10 countries were identified and the BCG vaccination policies were identified.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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