WhiteBoard style discussion on a recent paper published looking at global data on COVID-19 mortality rates and rates of BCG vaccination. They compared both countries of similar social, economic, and healthcare means using the HDI index, as well as all countries, and found an impressive trend towards a decreased mortality in those countries with more current and robust BCG vaccination programs. Additionally, they did close geographic comparisons between states in the United States versus Mexico and Brazil, as well as the western portion of Germany versus the eastern portion of Germany. Again, finding lower mortality with those places that have a more significant number of elderly patients who had been vaccinated.
So why in the world (pun intended?) might a TB vaccine lead to a lower COVID-19 mortality?! We will dive into just that. We will use the BCG vaccine and COVID as a means to talk about how the immune system works, covering the adaptive, innate, and memory response.
This is a longer video packed full of content, so BUCKLE UP! Check out the video for more information!
Link to BCG article:
There will be a running series of videos using the most up to date information on COVID-19, but this is an evolving field and new videos may come out that contradict that previous information. That is okay and is the nature of a fast paced and evolving clinical scenario. Stick with us as we work to unveil the intricacies of COVID-19, it’s clinical significance, and the societal implications. *****This is strictly educational and not to be mistaken as clinical recommendations, please verify all information with accepted guidelines and practice patterns.****
