We propose the concept that administration of an unrelated live attenuated vaccine, such as MMR (measles, mumps, rubella), could serve as a preventive measure against the worst sequelae of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). There is mounting evidence that live attenuated vaccines provide nonspecific protection against lethal infections unrelated to the target pathogen of the vaccine by inducing “trained” nonspecific innate immune cells for improved host responses against subsequent infections. ABSTRACT We propose the concept that administration of an unrelated live attenuated vaccine, such as MMR (measles, mumps, rubella), could serve as a preventive measure against the worst sequelae of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). There is mounting evidence that live attenuated vaccines provide nonspecific protection against lethal infections unrelated to the target pathogen of the vaccine by inducing “trained” nonspecific innate immune cells for improved host responses against subsequent infections. Mortality in COVID-19 cases is strongly associated with progressive lung inflammation and eventual sepsis. Vaccination with MMR in immunocompetent individuals has no contraindications and may be especially effective for health care workers who can easily be exposed to COVID-19. Following the lead of other countries conducting clinical trials with the live attenuated Mycobacterium bovis BCG (BCG) vaccine under a similar concept, a clinical trial with MMR in high-risk populations may provide a “low-risk–high-reward” preventive measure in saving lives during this unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic.
【저자키워드】 COVID-19, Inflammation, clinical trial, Sepsis, Live attenuated vaccines, myeloid-derived suppressor cells, trained innate immunity, MMR, 【초록키워드】 coronavirus disease, Vaccine, COVID-19 pandemic, host response, BCG, Health care worker, Evidence, high-risk population, administration, Lung inflammation, Live attenuated vaccine, Mycobacterium bovis, mumps, COVID-19 case, individual, contraindication, subsequent infections, lethal infection, country, effective, the vaccine, innate immune cell, nonspecific, target pathogen, 【제목키워드】 measure, septic, with COVID-19,