Considering BCG vaccination to reduce the impact of COVID-19

Type Journal Article Author Nigel Curtis Author Annie Sparrow Author Tedros A Ghebreyesus Author Mihai G Netea URL https://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S0140673620310254 Pages S0140673620310254 Publication The Lancet ISSN 01406736 Date 30/04/2020 Journal Abbr The Lancet DOI 10.1016/S0140-6736(20)31025-4 Accessed 2020-05-05 21:15:45 Library Catalog DOI.org (Crossref) Language en Abstract In addition to its specific effect against tuberculosis, the BCG vaccine has beneficial nonspecific (off-target) effects on the immune system that protect against a wide range of other infections and are used routinely to treat bladder cancer.1,2 This has led to the suggestion that vaccination with BCG might have a role in protecting health-care workers and other vulnerable individuals against severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).