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.

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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.

Read alsoHow effective are COVID vaccines really in Hungary? – Recent statistics show

Source: brighamandwomens.org, cell.com/med, 24.hu