BADAS Study

The BADAS Study

BCG As Defense Against SARS-CoV-2: A Randomized Multicenter Trial

Background

BCG, an immunotherapy used to treat bladder cancer, was originally developed in 1920s as a TB vaccine. It has been known for many years to have additional immune stimulatory benefits: in fact, BCG induces a ~38-45% mortality reduction that is not just TB-specific but also due to decrease in sepsis and respiratory tract infections, both in newborns and elderly people. Recent human studies have also shown that BCG improves immunity against influenza and other viral infections such as yellow fever.

This background led us to analyze the COVID19 situation in 178 countries in March when the incidence was first rising. We found that over the 15 day period that we looked at (March 9-24), the incidence and mortality from COVID19 was almost 10 times lower in countries that had a BCG vaccination program in place. Initial Report: March 24 2020

This data has matured and updated analysis (in prep) continues to show a remarkable reduction in mortality.

The data are encouraging but we must do the clinical trials to evaluate its benefits. Without such data, observational studies remain just that: purely observations.

This is The BADAS Study: BCG vaccination As Defense Against SARS-CoV-2: A randomized controlled trial to protect health care workers Clinical Trial NCT04348370