BCG vaccination to minimise COVID-19 disease severity and duration

Project description Mycobacterium bovis is the bacteria that causes tuberculosis in cows. The BCG (Bacillus Calmette-Guérin) vaccine consists of attenuated bacteria of this strain. Almost 100 years ago it was discovered that BCG protects against human tuberculosis. In recent years it has been shown that BCG also protects against other infections by activating the immune system in a broad sense. BCG has the potential to protect against COVID-19. Research This study investigates whether BCG can reduce the incidence, severity and / or duration of COVID-19. The impact of BCG on the development and lifespan of COVID-19 antibodies, the immune system in a broader sense and the microbiome composition of the airways is also investigated. Expected outcomes Should BCG be effective, it could be used to protect risk groups until COVID-19-specific vaccines become available. In that case, BCG could also be used in future epidemics due to new pathogens.