Can BCG vaccine, developed in 1921 to stop tuberculosis, save lives from Covid-19 virus? This is a pertinent question which is asked world-wide and scientists are working on it.
Scientists in the UK have already begun testing the BCG vaccine, to see if it can save lives from Covid-19 virus.
The vaccine was designed to stop tuberculosis, but there is some evidence that it can protect against other infections as well.
Back in India too, there has been examples where BCG vaccine proved useful in prevention of Covid-19.
Dr. Renu Aggarwal, Medical Superintendent of Covid Hospital, Sector-39, Noida, had given BCG vaccine to 80 out of 210 employees working there.
After the study on the effect of the vaccine on the 80 people who were administered BCG, it was instructed that all the ambulance workers also be vaccinated.
The result has brought hope to the medical fraternity in their fight against the deadly virus.
The study of Dr. Renu Aggarwal, MS of Covid Hospital was published in the Indian Journal of Applied Research.
Two groups were formed to conduct the study. In the two-stage study, 80 healthcare workers were put in one group whereas 130 healthcare workers were put in the other group.
Of the group of 80 healthcare workers who were administered the BCG vaccine, none developed the corona virus.
Whereas in the group of 130 healthcare workers who were not administered the BCG, 36 of them became corona positive.
After the outcome of this study the health department has prepared to vaccinate 140 ambulance personnel of the district with BCG.
All employees, including the ambulance driver, ENT, will be vaccinated within a week.
Dr. Arpana, Director of National Health Mission (NHM) has also issued a letter in this regard.
The study to see the effectiveness of BCG vaccine in Covid prevention was first thought of when 30 medical and paramedical staff, doing covid duty in Noida Disstt Hospital were administered the vaccine in the month of April.
It was seen that none of them became corona positive as of now.
A similar example came from Noida Covid Hospital, where 50 medical and paramedical staff, doing covid duty were administered BCG vaccine on 24th August. They too have not been tested corona positive yet.
According to a medical study, the BCG vaccine is effective in preventing corona. This vaccine rapidly strengthens the body's immunity.
Similarly, in an another example, medical staff who were vaccinated by BCG and have been on covid duty for the past five months, have not been exposed to the infection despite working in corona ward.
Dr. Renu informed the authorities about the positive outcome of the study. She is happy that after her study, all ambulance drivers were being administered BCG vaccine.
(Disclaimer - This is a Medical experiment and we do not recommend or prescribe the above treatment for COVID 19. Please take legal medical advise before administrating any treatment)
