BCG: Can a vaccine from 1921 save lives from Covid-19?

[nitpicker]

https://www.bbc.com/news/health-54465733

BCG: Can a vaccine from 1921 save lives from Covid-19?

By James Gallagher
Health and science correspondent

Scientists in the UK have begun testing the BCG vaccine, developed in 1921, to see if it can save lives from Covid.

The vaccine was designed to stop tuberculosis, but there is some evidence it can protect against other infections as well.

Around 1,000 people will take part in the trial at the University of Exeter.

But while millions of people in the UK will have had the BCG jab as a child, it is thought they would need to be vaccinated again to benefit.

Vaccines are designed to train the immune system in a highly targeted way that leaves lasting protection against one particular infection.

But this process also causes wide-spread changes in the immune system. This seems to heighten the response to other infections and scientists hope it may even give our bodies an advantage against coronavirus.
(snip)

The UK trial is part of the international Brace-study, which is also taking place in Australia, the Netherlands, Spain and Brazil, recruiting 10,000 people in total.

It will focus on health and care workers, as they are more likely to be exposed to coronavirus, so researchers will know more quickly if the vaccine is effective.
(snip)

[walkingman]

1. I have bladder cancer and this is causing a worldwide shortage of BCG. Not a good situation

for those of us who need this for Non-muscle invasive bladder cancer.

[katmondoo]

2. Because of BCG my bladder cancer is in remission. Took it for 3 years. I am grateful for BCG being

available when I needed it.

[Native]

3. I remember reading about this months ago. It seems areas where people were still given the vaccine

As children had a much lower rate of Covid infections. Hadn't seen any more about that until now. Thanks for posting this.