Abstract
We read with great interest the recent thorough study from Miller et al. [1], who reported a beneficial impact of early Bacillus Calmette–Guerin (BCG) vaccination, and linked morbidity and mortality due to SARS-CoV-2 with BCG vaccination policy. They found that countries without policies of universal BCG vaccination (like Italy, the Netherlands, or the United States) have been more severely affected compared with countries with universal and long-standing BCG policies. Since senior citizens are particularly sensitive to COVID-19, newborn vaccination programs implemented in the 1940s and 1950s should be the most beneficial. Thus, we were impressed by the linear correlation between the year of the establishment of universal BCG vaccination and the mortality rate presented by Miller et al. [1]. In our view, this is a convincing argument for the hypothesis that the earlier the vaccination policy was established, the larger the segment of the elderly population being protected.
Highlights
We read with great interest the recent thorough study from Miller et al [1], who reported a beneficial impact of early Bacillus Calmette–Guérin (BCG) vaccination, and linked morbidity and mortality due to SARS-CoV-2 with BCG vaccination policy
BCG vaccination in Germany till after World War II. b Morbidity and mortality due to SARS-CoV-2 in federal states formerly belonging to East and West Germany, excluding Berlin
In Eastern federal states formerly belonging to the German Democratic Republic (GDR) [2]
Summary
We read with great interest the recent thorough study from Miller et al [1], who reported a beneficial impact of early Bacillus Calmette–Guérin (BCG) vaccination, and linked morbidity and mortality due to SARS-CoV-2 with BCG vaccination policy. 4 German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Heidelberg, Germany by the communist government in 1951, and soon became compulsory in 1953, leading to near-universal (99.8%) BCG vaccination of newborns by day 3. We record those data in formerly East and West German federal states (excluding Berlin, Fig. 1b).
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
