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Updated: Nov 6, 2025

Protective Efficacy and Pulmonary Immune Response Following Subcutaneous and Intranasal BCG Administration in Mice
Published on: September 19, 2016
Is the BCG vaccine a useful tool against COVID-19?
Galina Zhelezova1, Valeria Mateeva2, Grisha Mateev2
1Department of Biology, Medical Genetic, and Microbiology, Medical Faculty, Medical University, Sofia, Bulgaria.
Abstract:
The Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) vaccine has been used since 1921 initially for protection against tuberculosis. BCG acts through stimulation of cell-mediated adaptive immunity with activation of the Th1 cells and production of interferon gamma. Additionally, it is able to stimulate the immune system in a nonspecific manner, which results in effectiveness of the BCG against non-mycobacterial infections and in some malignant, autoimmune, and inflammatory diseases. Recently, its potential use in the fight against the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has been suggested. This is based upon the concept of BCG-induced trained innate immunity-a memory-like response of the innate immune system that can realize greater protection in case of re-infection. This hypothesis represents a milestone in the potential use of the BCG vaccine in the fight with the novel coronavirus.
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