Virus vaccine trials on BCG look promising but no quick fix
Not quick because of the testing but tests are being run on THOUSANDS of people, not handfuls of brave volunteers, which does mean results far, far sooner than new vaccines, and look at the results already ... That said, the WHO has cautioned (April 11, 2020) there is no guaranteed link between the BCG vaccine and Covid19 prevention. Their concern is obviously to ensure there is no shortage of the vaccine in the countries where it is essential, because of a sudden rush of demand. Fair comment. However they are closely monitoring several trials but don’t expect to be able to get your shot – or have it ruled out – in a week or so.
There is however definite interest and some huge studies / trials are in progress.
Published April 6, 2020 -
“While we expected to see a protective effect of BCG, the magnitude of the difference (almost 10 fold) in incidence and mortality (of Covid-19) between countries with and without a BCG vaccination program was pleasantly surprising,” said Dr. Ashish Kamat, a co-author of the paper and professor of Urologic Oncology (Surgery) and cancer research at MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, Texas.
The study looked at Covid-19 instances and mortality for 15 days between 9 and 24 March in 178 countries and concluded that “incidence of Covid-19 was 38.4 per million in countries with BCG vaccination compared to 358.4 per million in the absence of such a program. The death rate was 4.28/million in countries with BCG programs compared to 40/million in countries without such a program.” Out of the 178 countries studied, 21 had no vaccination program, while the status was unclear in 26 countries. The latter group was treated as not having a policy for the purpose of this study.
The link for the above excerpts is
Published April 23, 2020
The WHO is closely monitoring the progression of two clinical trials investigating the effect of BCG vaccination in healthcare workers
- Phase III BRACE clinical trial, an Australian study sponsored by the Murdoch Children’s Research Institute in collaboration with The Royal Children’s Hospital (4000 participants)
- Phase III BCG-CORONA trial, a Dutch study sponsored by the University Medical Center Uterecht in collaboration with Radbound University (1500 participants)
Baylor College of Medicine and Ain Shams University are both conducting similar trials in which the patient population consists of health workers, and the trials are under Phase IV and Phase III level of development, respectively. One will last 9 months and the other 6 months. Number of participants not advised.
Two more trials have recently been registered. A Phase IV study in the Netherlands aims to test an elder patient cohort, where participants are ages 60 years or older. (1600 participants, 6 months)
A Phase II trial located in Egypt sponsored by Assiut University will assess the severity of Covid-19-positive patients ages 12–80 years previously vaccinated with a BCG vaccine to assess if the vaccine decreases the impact but will only use 100 subjects. Duration will be 2.2 months.
Link to the above excerpts is
I chose to start a new blog rather than add to my original blog about BCG because there was so much new data - also chose not to add to another blog about vaccines for the same reason.
Comments (23)
Yay Viv
Italy (low BCG inoculation) 199 414 cases to date, 26977 deaths
Spain (low BCG inoculation) 229 422 cases to date, 23521 deaths
Portugal (medium BCG inoculation) 24027 cases to date, 928 deaths
Greece (high BCG inoculation) 2534 cases to date, 136 deaths
Not that it proves anything, of course.
6,725 5,602 84
Here you go Viv..It's a coup for Australia..China is mentioned
In the first 12 weeks of 2020, 138916 deaths were recorded by 22nd March. Only 12755 were virus-related. Unfortunately we have unlimited ways of dying. Obviously the virus deaths started spiking after 22nd but general figures of all deaths only available at this point up to 22nd.
However they like many would prefer a new vaccine to be developed and available 2 years down the line, for whatever reason. BCG is, oddly, expensive in America, too - according to Wiki it is up to $2 anywhere else in the world but up to $200 in the US. They do prefer not to have affordable health care.
It's of course a shame it has to be repeated, unlike a flu shot which lasts for life. Oh no, hang on, flu shots have to be repeated every year.
Eastern Cape has 'plans' for mass graves when this peaks. Also promoting cremation of those who died of the virus which the locals are against.
I had BCG and a few months after I got a horrific dose of Whooping Cough. It was done at school and I watched a programme on TV this evening about same.
I am wondering if having had the vaccine in the late 50s [it was mandatory] would those of us who got it just need a booster. Interesting blog and so many great strides being made that I suspect it won't be a long as they think before we have something that works.
There will be a vaccine and we will get through this pandemic.
[ one more or perhaps longer of lockdown for us over 66s here in Ireland ] there were 49 more deaths so I am prepared to go through this as Cabin fever gets hold but I know things have been terrible over there. I hope you are coping ok.
It seems that it is an anti -viral and [too scientific and I don't copy and paste] it has alot to offer.
However, 2 days ago there was great excitement about a med. that is given to Horses [can't remember name ] and Cattle for bad cases of parasites and worms. [hope you are not eating ].... Angel Dust was the nick name. So many people doing research. We can but hope.
Lots more cars on the road today and of course with bank holiday here coming up at weekend our cops are out in full force to ensure nobody is going to try and escape to their holiday homes. Meanwhile only places like Supermarkets and Chemists open and our local Boots allows 5 people in at a time, and they are wearing visors. It feels weird, I needed to get my serum which I think keeps my skin young but probably placebo, anyway the girl sort of followed me around to hurry me up so no browsing .... all the joy gone out of shopping.