Background: Epidemiological studies show that BCG-vaccinated population seems to be more likely protected from COVID-19 infection, but WHO gave a stark warning on use of BCG vaccine without confirmed COVID-19 trials. The aim of the study is to evaluate whether TB vaccination, performed several years earlier, could confer protection against COVID-19. Methods: After the Ethical Committee authorization, professional orders were used to contact physicians with an online survey. Specialty, COVID-19 infection and previous BCG vaccination were recorded. Statistical data analysis was performed. Results: 1906 physicians answered the questionnaire, (M = 1068; F = 838; mean age 50.7 ± 13.3 years; range 24–87), more than half (1062; 55.7%) experienced BCG vaccination. Professional activity was recorded, and only 49 subjects (2.6%) of them were infected by SARS-CoV2. Among the group of infected people, asymptomatic form occurred in 12 subjects (24.5%); a pauci-symptomatic form in 24 subjects (49.0%); and a severe form (pneumonia and/or respiratory distress) in 13 (26.5%). Considering only the clinically relevant form of COVID-19, period prevalence was 2.2% (23/1062) in the vaccinated group and 1.7% (14/844) in the unvaccinated group (OR: 1.31, 95% C.I.: 0.68–2.63, p = 0.427). Conclusion: Our experience does not confirm the possible protective role of BCG vaccination, performed years earlier, against COVID-19. Although recent epidemiological studies point out in BCG-vaccinated population a lower prevalence of SARS-CoV2 infection, in our cohort of physicians no significant difference was found in terms of prevalence of COVID-19 infection. Our data underline the necessity to follow the WHO warning about the indiscriminate use of BCG vaccine, until clear evidence of protection by BCG vaccination against COVID-19 is fully demonstrated.
【저자키워드】 COVID-19, SARS-CoV2, Innate immunity, Epidemiology, trained immunity, Natural killer cells, Bacille Calmette-Guerin vaccine, 【초록키워드】 Vaccine, vaccination, Pneumonia, Infection, SARS-CoV2 infection, Prevalence, Cohort, COVID-19 infection, asymptomatic form, BCG, Data analysis, age, WHO, questionnaire, trials, Evidence, distress, Contact, BCG vaccination, no significant difference, subject, protective role, pauci-symptomatic, Epidemiological study, professional, physician, Committee, period prevalence, performed, were infected, evaluate, occurred, clinically, was performed, were used, demonstrated, the WHO, were recorded, prevalence of COVID-19, was recorded, 【제목키워드】 survey, physician, Bacillus, Italian, Against,