Last Updated on June 13, 2020, 5:21 AM AST by Anthony Morris
The latest study, which has been published in the medical journal Science explains that if the existing live vaccines could help in preventing COVID-19. The study has mentioned regarding the oral polio vaccine (OPV), which is made of live attenuated viruses which can reduce the incidence of other infections.
While the scientists and experts are putting in efforts to make at the much-awaited vaccine for Covid-19, some experts have been looking at the potential of the existing drugs and vaccines in fighting the novel coronavirus.
The latest study, which has been published in the medical journal Science explains that if the existing live vaccines could help in preventing COVID-19. The study has mentioned regarding the oral polio vaccine (OPV), which is made of live attenuated viruses which can reduce the incidence of other infections.
The study said that an increasing body of evidence has suggested that the live attenuated vaccines could also induce broader protection against the unrelated pathogens probably by inducing interferon and other innate immune mechanisms which are yet to be identified.
The researchers have the opinion that the stimulation of the innate immune system by live attenuated vaccines in general, and oral poliovirus vaccine (OPV) in specific, “could provide temporary protection against the novel coronavirus disease 2019.
The research also points to the efficacy of certain vaccines against tuberculosis and whooping cough in fighting infections.
“Attenuated bacterial vaccines such as Bacillus Calmette–Guérin (BCG) against tuberculosis, as well as an experimental live attenuated vaccine against pertussis (whooping cough), was also shown to protect against heterologous infections,” it added.
Medical reports and scientific research suggest that Covid-19 may result in suppressed innate immune responses.
Therefore, stimulation of innate immunity by live attenuated vaccines such as the OPV could increase resistance to infection by “the causal virus, severe acute respiratory syndrome–coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2)”.
“If the results of the randomized controlled trial (RCTs) with OPV are positive, OPV could be used to protect the most vulnerable populations,” the study concluded.
COVID-19 coronavirus has infected more than 7 million people worldwide, while more than 4 lakh people have lost their lives already because of the virus across the world.
Anthony Morris covers stories related to politics and regional developments. His in-depth reporting about governance and reforms makes him stand out in regional journalism, with a deep analysis of political trends and their impact on Caribbean communities.
