NEW DELHI: The Mumbai civic body and the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) will undertake a study to evaluate the efficacy of the BCG vaccine to prevent the infection of COVID among the elderly people. The necessary approval to conduct the study has been obtained.
The study will include elderly individuals between the 60-75 years age group who have not suffered from COVID.
AIR correspondent reports, COVID epidemic worldwide shows that elderly persons are affected more and tend to suffer severely. Also death rates in the age group above 60 are substantially high.
There is evidence that the BCG vaccine which is normally given to children for protection against tuberculosis has protective effects against other respiratory tract infections including viral infections. Also BCG can be safely given and is cost effective.
The ICMR is undertaking a study to evaluate whether the BCG vaccine is really effective in preventing COVID disease in India in elderly population. It will also look at the degree of severity of disease and development of immunity using immunological markers.
Apart from Mumbai, the study is being undertaken in COVID hotspots of other major cities in the country. The Mumbai trial will be jointly conducted in three hospitals. The study will include elderly individuals between 60-75 years age group who have not suffered from COVID and not having cancer and not immuno-compromised.
Participants will be closely monitored for six months and thorough diagnostic work up will be done. The BCG vaccine has offered hope to elderly and, if found effective, will help bring down morbidity and mortality in elderly population.
