The need for fast-track, high-quality and low-cost studies about the role of the BCG vaccine in the fight against COVID-19

Respir Res. 2020 Jul 11;21(1):178. doi: 10.1186/s12931-020-01439-4.

Abstract

Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) vaccination is routine and near-universal in many low- and middle-income countries (LMIC). It has been suggested that BCG can have a protective effect on COVID-19 morbidity and mortality. This commentary discusses the limitations of the evidence around BCG and COVID-19. We argue that higher-quality evidence is necessary to understand the protective effect of the BCG vaccine from existing, secondary data, while we await results from clinical trials currently conducted in different settings.

Publication types

  • Letter
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • BCG Vaccine / immunology*
  • BCG Vaccine / therapeutic use*
  • COVID-19
  • Clinical Trials as Topic
  • Coronavirus Infections / mortality
  • Coronavirus Infections / prevention & control*
  • Coronavirus Infections / therapy*
  • Cost-Benefit Analysis
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Needs Assessment
  • Pandemics / prevention & control*
  • Pneumonia, Viral / mortality
  • Pneumonia, Viral / prevention & control*
  • Pneumonia, Viral / therapy*
  • Poverty
  • Primary Prevention / methods
  • Quality Control*
  • Role
  • Socioeconomic Factors
  • Survival Analysis
  • Vaccination / methods
  • Vaccination / statistics & numerical data

Substances

  • BCG Vaccine