These mandatory Hungarian vaccines may promote immunity against COVID-19

Researchers at Brigham and Women’s Hospital conducted laboratory-based analyses to measure the response of T cells from Measles-Mumps-Rubella (MMR) and Tetanus-Diptheria-Pertussis (Tdap) vaccines that may reduce the risk of severe COVID-19. These two childhood vaccines are mandatory in Hungary.

Vaccines stimulate the immune system and induce a strong and long-lasting immune response through the creation of memory T cells and B cells, writes brighamandwomens.org. T cells play a crucial role in the early control of acute viral infection since they can identify and eliminate the infection, while B cells are responsible for the production of protective antibody molecules. The MMR and the Tdap vaccines are known to effectively elicit a protective response against the diseases that are included in their names. But how can they lower the risk of severe COVID-19?

Researchers at Brigham and Women’s Hospital have investigated whether prior MMR or Tdap vaccination elicit cross-reactive T cells that help our bodies to effectively respond to COVID-19. During their laboratory-based analyses, they isolated T cells from the blood of COVID-19 convalescent patients, uninfected people, and patients vaccinated against COVID-19 and measured the response of T cells to antigens from SARS-CoV-2. They have found that