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Association between coronavirus disease morbidity and mortality rates and BCG vaccination policies in OECD countries.

Yuki Senoo1, Yousuke Suzuki2, Kenji Tsuda3

  • 1Medical Governance Research Institute, Minato-ku, Tokyo, Japan.

Journal of Infection Prevention
|May 2, 2022
PubMed

Insights

Updated data confirms that national BCG vaccination policies correlate with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outcomes in OECD countries. The findings align with previous analyses, reinforcing the link between BCG immunization and COVID-19 epidemiology.

Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Epidemiology
  • Public Health Policy

Background:

  • The Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) vaccine is widely used globally.
  • Its potential role in modulating the immune response to unrelated pathogens, including viruses, has been investigated.
  • The relationship between national BCG vaccination policies and coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) epidemiology in developed nations requires ongoing examination.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To update and re-evaluate the correlation between national BCG vaccination policies and COVID-19 incidence.
  • To assess if previously observed trends persist with more recent epidemiological data.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of updated COVID-19 case data from Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) countries.
  • Comparison of COVID-19 epidemiological data with national BCG vaccination policies.
  • Statistical assessment to determine the correlation between vaccination status and disease outcomes.

Main Results:

  • Updated data (as of November 1, 2020) continued to show a correlation between national BCG vaccination policies and COVID-19 outcomes.
  • The updated findings were consistent with the conclusions drawn from data available up to April 20, 2020.
  • No significant deviation from the initial observed trend was detected.

Conclusions:

  • The correlation between national BCG vaccination policies and COVID-19 epidemiology in OECD countries remains consistent with updated data.
  • These findings support the hypothesis that BCG vaccination may influence COVID-19 outcomes.
  • Further research is warranted to elucidate the immunological mechanisms underlying this observed correlation.

Keywords:
COVID-19OECDbacillus Calmette–Guerin vaccinecoronavirus infectionsepidemiologytrained immunity

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