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
there is a high correlation between T cell responses to SARS-CoV-2 and MMR and Tdap antigens in COVID-19 convalescent and vaccinated individuals, which suggests that MMR or Tdap vaccine-induced immunity helps reduce the risk of severe COVID-19.
“Our Cleveland Clinic colleagues observed a correlation where individuals with COVID-19 who had either MMR or Tdap vaccines had a much lower frequency of going to the intensive care unit or dying,” explained immunologist and senior pathologist Andrew Lichtman.
The in-depth study also suggests that the combination of MMR or Tdap vaccination and approved COVID-19 vaccines may provide better and more durable protection against COVID-19, and especially against emerging Spike variants, than the covid vaccines alone.
Experts have noted that there was a worldwide decline in childhood vaccination during the COVID-19 pandemic, and based on the findings of this research, the pursuit of safe and effective vaccine distribution has to be considered top priority, 24.hu added.
Source: brighamandwomens.org, cell.com/med, 24.hu