Several epidemiological studies have shown “a correlation between BCG vaccination rate and morbidity and mortality rate with Covid-19,” says Inserm.
Could this vaccine protect against severe forms of the disease?
The sources of hope
Indeed, “BCG has previously demonstrated in children a non-specific protective effect against infections, in particular respiratory infections,” said Inserm.
Just like other live vaccines like the measles vaccine and the oral polio vaccine.
“BCG could thus reduce the importance of infection with the SARS-CoV-2 virus by stimulating the memory of innate immunity, the first immunity to come into play when faced with an infection, and thereby inducing” immunity innate driven ”, continues the institute.
If BCG proved to be effective, it has several advantages. Very well known, it is one of the cheapest vaccines in the world.
Lack of evidence
However, the results of the observations made to date do not allow “to conclude a causal relationship because they remain subject to significant biases, in particular on the difference in standard of living and health policy between countries with high and with a low vaccination rate ”.
In an attempt to confirm this hope, “researchers from several countries have launched” large-scale clinical trials (1,000 people in the Netherlands, 4,000 in Australia) in people at high risk of exposure (healthcare workers in particular) .
Work is also planned in France. To date, therefore, there is no data to recommend BCG vaccination to protect yourself from Covid-19.
Note: in France, this vaccine appears in the vaccination recommendations only for certain specific cases. In addition, it is regularly affected by supply tensions.
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