Commentary on the BCG vaccination policy in India

1981 ◽  
Vol 48 (4) ◽  
pp. 407-412 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. M. Udani
Keyword(s):  
Vaccination Policy ◽  
Bcg Vaccination

Explore the Possible Impact of BCG Vaccination Policy on the Morbidity, Mortality, and Recovery Rates due to COVID-19 Infection. (Preprint)

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yue-Cune Chang
Keyword(s):  
Odds Ratio ◽  
Randomized Clinical Trials ◽  
Vaccination Policy ◽  
Bacille Calmette Guerin ◽  
Recovery Rates ◽  
Bcg Vaccination ◽  
The World ◽  
New Form ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Disease Specific

BACKGROUND The Coronavirus Disease-19 (COVID-19) is the new form of an acute infectious respiratory disease and has quickly spread over most continents in the world. Recently, it has been shown that Bacille Calmette-Guerin (BCG) might protect against COVID-19. This study aims to investigate the possible correlation between BCG vaccination and morbidity/mortality/recovery rate associated with COVID-19 infection. OBJECTIVE Our findings confirm that the BCG vaccination might protect against COVID-19 virus infection. METHODS Data of COVID-19 confirmed cases, deaths, recoveries, and population were obtained from https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/ (Accessed on 12 June, 2020). To have meaningful comparisons among countries’ mortality and recovery rates, we only choose those countries with COVID-19 infected cases at least 200. The Poisson regression and logistic regression were used to explore the relationship between BCG vaccination and morbidity, mortality and recovery rates. RESULTS Among those 158 countries with at least 200 COVID-19 infected cases, there were 141 countries with BCG vaccination information available. The adjusted rates ratio of COVID-19 confirmed cases for Current BCG vaccination vs. non-Current BCG vaccination was 0.339 (with 95% CI= (0.338,0.340)). Moreover, the adjusted odds ratio (OR) of death and recovery after coronavirus infected for Current BCG vaccination vs. non-Current BCG vaccination were 0.258 (with 95% CI= (0.254,0.261)) and 2.151 (with 95% CI= (2.140,2.163)), respectively. CONCLUSIONS That data in this study show the BCG might provide the protection against COVID-19, with consequent less COVID-19 infection and deaths and more rapid recovery. BCG vaccine might bridge the gap before the disease-specific vaccine is developed, but this hypothesis needs to be further tested in rigorous randomized clinical trials. INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT RR2-https://doi.org/10.1101/2020.06.14.20131268

scholarly journals BCG vaccination policy and preventive chloroquine usage: do they have an impact on COVID-19 pandemic?

2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (7) ◽  
Author(s):  
Abhibhav Sharma ◽  
Saurabh Kumar Sharma ◽  
Yufang Shi ◽  
Enrico Bucci ◽  
Ernesto Carafoli ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Vaccination Policy ◽  
Bcg Vaccination

scholarly journals Changes in BCG Vaccination Policy Should Consider the Effect on Child Health: Table 1.

2015 ◽  
Vol 212 (8) ◽  
pp. 1341-1342 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sanne M. Thysen ◽  
Peter Aaby ◽  
Christine S. Benn ◽  
Ane B. Fisker
Keyword(s):  
Child Health ◽  
Vaccination Policy ◽  
Bcg Vaccination

scholarly journals Neonatal vaccination of low birthweight infants in Ghana

2016 ◽  
Vol 102 (2) ◽  
pp. 145-151 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maureen O'Leary ◽  
Karen Edmond ◽  
Sian Floyd ◽  
Lisa Hurt ◽  
Caitlin Shannon ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Birth Weight ◽  
Low Birth Weight ◽  
Low Birthweight ◽  
Neonatal Period ◽  
Response Relationship ◽  
Vaccination Policy ◽  
Dose Response Relationship ◽  
Place Of Delivery ◽  
Bcg Vaccination ◽  
Facility Births

ObjectivesGlobal vaccination policy advocates for identifying and targeting groups who are underserved by vaccination to increase equity and uptake. We investigated whether birth weight and other factors are determinants of neonatal BCG vaccination in order to identify infants underserved by vaccination.MethodsWe used logistic regression to calculate adjusted ORs (AORs) for the association between birth weight (categorised as non-low birth weight (NLBW) (≥2.50 kg) and low birth weight (LBW) (2–2.49 kg, 1.50–1.99 kg and <1.50 kg)) and non-vaccination with BCG at the end of the neonatal period (0–27 days). We assessed whether this association varied by place of delivery and infant illness. We calculated how BCG timing and uptake would improve by ensuring the vaccination of all facility-born infants prior to discharge.ResultsThere was a strong dose–response relationship between LBW and not receiving BCG in the neonatal period (p-trend<0.0001). Infants weighing 1.50–1.99 kg had odds of non-vaccination 1.6 times (AOR 1.64; 95% CI 1.30 to 2.08), and those weighing <1.50 kg 2.4 times (AOR 2.42; 95% CI 1.50 to 3.88) those of NLBW infants. Other determinants included place of delivery, distance to the health facility and socioeconomic status. Neither place of delivery nor infant illness modified the association between birth weight and vaccination (p-interaction all >0.19). Facility-born infants were vaccinated at a mean of 6 days, suggesting that they were not vaccinated in the facility at birth but were referred for vaccination.ConclusionsLBW is a risk factor for neonatal under-vaccination, even for facility-born infants. Ensuring vaccination at facility births would substantively improve timing and equitable BCG vaccination.

scholarly journals BCG vaccination impact on mortality and recovery rates in COVID-19: A meta-analysis

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Surjit Singh ◽  
Daisy Khera ◽  
Ankita Chugh ◽  
Sameer Khasbage ◽  
Pushpinder S. Khera ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mortality Rate ◽  
Recovery Rate ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Intervention Group ◽  
Group Versus ◽  
Pooled Analysis ◽  
Control Group ◽  
P Value ◽  
Vaccination Policy ◽  
Bcg Vaccination

COVID-19 is a pandemic caused by SARS-CoV-2 virus which is a very worrisome public health emergency. In this study, we compared the mortality rate and recovery rate in countries with and without BCG vaccination policy. The data of mortality of COVID-19 was extracted from worldometer (https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/) on 26th July 2020. The data of countries where BCG vaccination is being done for all individuals is taken from BCG world atlas (http://www.bcgatlas.org/index.php), updated in 2017. BCG vaccination policy recommended countries are intervention group versus countries without BCG vaccination policies which are regarded as control group. Pooled analysis of countries with and without BCG vaccination policy revealed mortality rate of 1.31% (95%CI – 1.31% to 1.32%; I2 = 100%, p<0.01) and 3.25% (95%CI – 3.23% to 3.26%; I2 = 100%, p<0.01), respectively. The recovery rate in two country groups were found to be 72.60% (95%CI – 72.57% to 72.63%) and 55.94% (95%CI – 55.90% to 55.98%), respectively. 52 individuals need to be BCG vaccinated to prevent one death (NNT = 52). In BCG vaccination program countries, there is statistically and clinically significant less mortality (p-value <0.001) as compared to countries without BCG policy. Our findings corroborate the hypothesis that BCG vaccination may provide protection from COVID-19. High quality evidence from randomised controlled trials are required to establish causality between BCG vaccination and protection from severe COVID-19.

scholarly journals Correlation between immunity from BCG and the morbidity and mortality of COVID-19

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dakshitha Wickramasinghe ◽  
Nilanka Wickramasinghe ◽  
Sohan Anjana Kamburugamuwa ◽  
Carukshi Arambepola ◽  
Dharmabandhu N Samarasekera
Keyword(s):  
Linear Regression Analysis ◽  
Univariate Analysis ◽  
Case Fatality ◽  
Income Level ◽  
Morbidity And Mortality ◽  
Vaccination Policy ◽  
Specific Data ◽  
Bcg Vaccination ◽  
Country Level ◽  
Country Specific

Abstract Background To investigate the association between parameters indicating immunity from BCG at country level (presence of BCG vaccination policy, BCG coverage, age-specific incidence of tuberculosis(TB)) and the morbidity and mortality of COVID-19. Methods Country-specific data for COVID-19 cases and deaths, demographic details, BCG coverage and policy, age-specific TB incidence and income level were obtained. The crude COVID-19 cases and deaths per 100,000 population were calculated and assessed against the parameters indicating immunity from BCG using linear regression analysis. Results Univariate analysis identified higher income level of a country to be significantly associated with COVID-19 cases (p<0.0001) and deaths (p<0.0001) but not with its case fatality rate. The association between COVID-19 and TB was strongest for TB incidence in patients >65-years (Cases(rs=-0.785,p=0.0001)) and deaths (rs=-0.647,p=0.0001).Multivariate analysis identified the higher income level of a country and not having a universal BCG vaccination policy to affect the COVID-19 cases. The deaths were inversely affected by the presence of BCG vaccination policy and coverage; and positively by the TB incidence in patients >65-years. Conclusion Significant inverse correlations observed between cases and deaths of COVID-19 and BCG related parameters highlights immunity from BCG as a likely explanation for the variation in COVID-19 across countries.

scholarly journals Association of national Bacille Calmette-Guérin vaccination policy with COVID-19 epidemiology: an ecological study in 78 countries

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Norifumi Kuratani
Keyword(s):  
Protective Mechanism ◽  
Vaccination Policy ◽  
Bacille Calmette Guerin ◽  
Mixed Effect ◽  
Bcg Vaccination ◽  
Risk Of Death ◽  
Effect Model ◽  
Increase Rate ◽  
A Current ◽  
Country Specific

A possible association between national Bacille Calmette-Guérin (BCG) vaccination policy and lower COVID-19 incidence has been suggested in some preprint papers. Using publicly accessible databases, I explored associations of national BCG vaccination policy with COVID-19 epidemiology in 78 countries. Data collection was conducted from April 25 to May 5, 2020. I compared countries that have a current universal BCG vaccination policy (BCG countries), with countries that currently lack such a policy (non-BCG countries). The mixed effect model revealed national BCG policy decreases in the country-specific risk of death by COVID-19, correspond to odds ratio of 0.446 (95% confidence intervals 0.323 - 0.614, P =1×10-5). In BCG countries, the case increase rate was attenuated marginally by 25.4% (95% CI 3.0 to 42.7, P=0.029) as compared with those of the non-BCG countries. Although the protective mechanism of BCG vaccination against COVID-19 remains unknown, further laboratory and clinical research should be warranted.

scholarly journals A Multicountry Level Comparison of BCG Vaccination Policy and COVID-19 Cases and Mortality

2020 ◽  
Vol 6 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Katbi Moses ◽  
Adeoye Oluwatosin ◽  
Adedoyin Adefisayo ◽  
Adegboye Adeoye ◽  
Faturiyele Iyiola ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Vaccination Policy ◽  
Bcg Vaccination

scholarly journals BCG vaccine protection from severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)

2020 ◽  
Vol 117 (30) ◽  
pp. 17720-17726 ◽  
Author(s):  
Luis E. Escobar ◽  
Alvaro Molina-Cruz ◽  
Carolina Barillas-Mury
Keyword(s):  
Control Strategies ◽  
Cross Protection ◽  
Time Of Arrival ◽  
Vaccination Policy ◽  
Coarse Scale ◽  
Vaccine Protection ◽  
Epidemiological Analysis ◽  
Bcg Vaccination ◽  
Epidemic Development ◽  
National Control

A series of epidemiological explorations has suggested a negative association between national bacillus Calmette–Guérin (BCG) vaccination policy and the prevalence and mortality of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). However, these comparisons are difficult to validate due to broad differences between countries such as socioeconomic status, demographic structure, rural vs. urban settings, time of arrival of the pandemic, number of diagnostic tests and criteria for testing, and national control strategies to limit the spread of COVID-19. We review evidence for a potential biological basis of BCG cross-protection from severe COVID-19, and refine the epidemiological analysis to mitigate effects of potentially confounding factors (e.g., stage of the COVID-19 epidemic, development, rurality, population density, and age structure). A strong correlation between the BCG index, an estimation of the degree of universal BCG vaccination deployment in a country, and COVID-19 mortality in different socially similar European countries was observed (r2= 0.88;P= 8 × 10−7), indicating that every 10% increase in the BCG index was associated with a 10.4% reduction in COVID-19 mortality. Results fail to confirm the null hypothesis of no association between BCG vaccination and COVID-19 mortality, and suggest that BCG could have a protective effect. Nevertheless, the analyses are restricted to coarse-scale signals and should be considered with caution. BCG vaccination clinical trials are required to corroborate the patterns detected here, and to establish causality between BCG vaccination and protection from severe COVID-19. Public health implications of a plausible BCG cross-protection from severe COVID-19 are discussed.

BCG Vaccination Program mitigates COVID19 Related Mortality: A Reality check

2021 ◽  
Vol 22 ◽  
Author(s):  
Archana Pandita ◽  
Audesh Bhat ◽  
Anita Koul ◽  
Shashank K Singh
Keyword(s):  
Potential Role ◽  
Respiratory Infections ◽  
Cross Protection ◽  
Childhood Vaccination ◽  
Vaccination Program ◽  
Vaccination Policy ◽  
Bcg Vaccination ◽  
Reality Check ◽  
The World ◽  
Related Mortality

: Since its origin in the Wuhan province of China in December 2019, Coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19) has spread to most parts of the world and has infected millions of people. However, the significant variability in the mortality rate across the world indicates some underlying factors, especially the immunity factors that may have a potential role in this variability. One such factor that is being discussed and tested is the Bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) vaccine. The available evidence suggests that BCG vaccination provides broad protection against respiratory infections as well as other infections. Therefore, BCG may prove to be a barrier for COVID-19 infection and may offer a ray of hope. In this review, we contrasted BCG vaccination program with COVID-19 mortality and analyzed trained immunity and cross protection against unrelated pathogens due to BCG vaccination. On analyzing the available data, we observed that countries without universal BCG vaccination policy are severely affected, while countries having universal BCG policies are less affected. Based on these data, we propose that the SARS-CoV-2 related qualified immunity, cross protection against unrelated pathogens and COVID-19 impact variations could be partly explained by the different national policies regarding BCG childhood vaccination. The combination of reduced morbidity and mortality may make BCG vaccination a potential new tool in the fight against COVID-19.

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