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Impact of Routine Infant BCG Vaccination on COVID-19

Masako Kinoshita1, Masami Tanaka2

  • 1Department of Neurology, National Hospital Organization Utano National Hospital, 8 Ondoyama-Cho, Narutaki, Ukyo-Ku, Kyoto 616-8255, Japan.

The Journal of Infection
|August 16, 2020
PubMed

Insights

Routine infant Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) vaccination in Japan was associated with lower coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) spread. Higher BCG vaccine coverage correlated with fewer COVID-19 infections, suggesting a protective effect.

Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Public Health
  • Epidemiology

Background:

  • Japan reported its first COVID-19 case in January 2020, with rapid subsequent increases in infections.
  • The Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) vaccination program is a cornerstone of tuberculosis control in Japan.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the potential impact of routine infant BCG vaccination on the local spread of COVID-19 in Japan.

Main Methods:

  • Data on SARS-CoV-2 infection prevalence and annual infant BCG vaccine coverage per prefecture were collected.
  • Statistical analyses, including Mann-Whitney U and Spearman's rank correlation, were used to assess associations between BCG coverage and COVID-19 prevalence.

Main Results:

  • Prefectures with no COVID-19 infections showed significantly higher BCG vaccine coverage (1999-2002, 2004, 2012) compared to highly infected prefectures.
  • BCG vaccine coverage in 2004 demonstrated a significant negative correlation with SARS-CoV-2 infection prevalence.
  • Infection rates positively correlated with age groups 20-34 and 40-54 years.

Conclusions:

  • Findings suggest that routine infant BCG vaccination coverage in younger generations played a significant role in mitigating local COVID-19 spread in Japan.
  • BCG vaccination may offer a protective effect against SARS-CoV-2 transmission.
Abstract

Keywords:
BCGBacillus Calmette-Guérin vaccinationCOVID-19Coronavirus disease 2019Prevention

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