Page 46 - MDJ 2022 Jan-Jun, Volume 45 Number 1

Malaysian Dental Journal Volume 45 Issue 1/2022
 2022 The Malaysian Dental Association
MALAYSIAN DENTAL JOURNAL

Could Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) Vaccine be Used to Protect Against
COVID-19?

Masood R Oral Pathology Department, Islamic International Dental Hospital, Riphah International University.
*

Rizwan G Islamic International Dental Hospital, Riphah International University.

Rizwan Z Islamic International Dental Hospital, Riphah International University.

Mujtaba I Islamic International Dental Hospital, Riphah International University.

Farooqi S Khyber Medical University, Peshawar, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.

Zaib N Department of Oral Pathology, Foundation University Dental Hospital, Islamabad.

Butt A Islamic International Dental Hospital, Riphah International University.

Correspondence: Dr Rabia Masood, [email protected]
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ABSTRACT

Background: A new coronavirus called SARS-CoV-2 was identified in Wuhan, China in December 2019. SARS-CoV-2 spread very
rapidly, causing a global pandemic: Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19). A few pharmaceutical companies and pathologists have
been trying to put forward a cure in the form of a vaccine but in vain. It has been reported that the universal BCG vaccination is effective
in preventing and reducing severity of COVID-19.
Materials and Methods: A pilot study was conducted on a Pakistani population using a validated survey. A questionnaire acquiring
data regarding the BCG vaccination as well as COVID-19 status and symptoms experienced was generated using Google Forms.
Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS version 23. Simple descriptive analysis was conducted to assess the correlation between
the universal BCG vaccination and COVID-19.

Results: This pilot study consisted of 50 participants who were suffering or had suffered from COVID-19, 39 of which were BCG
vaccinated. Statistical analysis revealed that there is no significant correlation between universal BCG vaccination and COVID-19.
Conclusion: Universal BCG vaccination has shown to have no significant impact on COVID-19. Further research including a bigger
sample size is needed to support or oppose this finding.
Key words: COVID-19, infection, universal BCG vaccination, cross-protection.

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INTRODUCTION (COVID-19) are progressing, yet it is probably not going
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to be accessible in the near future. In the absence of any
COVID-19, caused by the novel coronavirus particular treatment, analysts are investigating other likely
(SARS-CoV-2) that was first reported in China in preventive and restorative options. Recently there has been
December 2019, has rapidly affected all countries in the speculation about the defensive impact of the Bacillus
world. In order to limit the spread of this disease, Calmette-Guérin (BCG) vaccine against COVID-19.
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governments of all countries took measures such as social BCG is an attenuated strain prepared from a confine of
distancing and quarantining those with the disease. Mycobacterium bovis, utilised universally as an
Citizens had strictly been advised to stay at home. immunisation for tuberculosis (TB). Numerous countries,
Attempts to create vaccines for the novel coronavirus including China and Japan, have a universal BCG

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