Experts now believe a vaccine that was developed over one hundred years ago to fight the tuberculosis scourge in Europe can be used to fight the coronavirus (COVID-19) that has raged all over the world killing thousands. The vaccine is said to “train” a human’s immune system into recognizing and fighting a variety of infections, including viruses, bacteria, and parasites, experts say.
Named the Bacillus Calmette-Guerin vaccine, the drug is being tested by scientists who now feel it is the last resort for the world.
The vaccine is mainly used to prevent TB, infant deaths from a variety of causes, and sharply reduces the incidence of respiratory infections.
A series of clinical trials have been initiated to test whether the vaccine can fight COVID-19. In Australia, scientists are administering the B.C.G. vaccine or a placebo to physicians, nurses, respiratory therapists, and other health care workers.
“Nobody is saying this is a panacea,” Nigel Curti, an infectious diseases researcher at the University of Melbourne who planned the trial says. “What we want to do is reduce the time an infected health care worker is unwell, so they recover and can come back to work faster.”
There’s currently no vaccine to prevent coronavirus disease (COVID-19).
You can protect yourself and help prevent spreading the virus to others if you:DoWash your hands regularly for 20 seconds, with soap and water or alcohol-based hand rubCover your nose and mouth with a disposable tissue or flexed elbow when you cough or sneezeAvoid close contact (1 meter or 3 feet) with people who are unwellStay home and self-isolate from others in the household if you feel unwellDon’t
Touch your eyes, nose, or mouth if your hands are not clean
