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Citizen science initiative points at childhood BCG vaccination as a risk factor for COVID-19
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  • Jose de la Fuente,
  • Octavio Armas,
  • Luis Sanchez-Rodriguez,
  • Christian Gortazar,
  • Alexander Lukashev
Jose de la Fuente
IREC

Corresponding Author:[email protected]

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Octavio Armas
UCLM
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Luis Sanchez-Rodriguez
UCLM
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Christian Gortazar
IREC
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Alexander Lukashev
Sechenov University
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Abstract

Current results do not provide conclusive evidence on the effect of BCG vaccination on COVID-19 alone or in combination with other factors. To address this limitation, in this study we used a citizen science initiative on the COVID-19 pandemic to collect data worldwide during October 2-30, 2020 (1,233 individuals) in a structured way for analyzing factors and characteristics of affected individuals in relation to BCG vaccination. For the first time, the results of our study suggested that vaccination with BCG may increase the risk for COVID-19 at certain age, particularly in individuals vaccinated at childhood. A reasonable explanation for this effect is the activation of certain innate immunity mechanisms associated with inflammatory reactions, which should be considered when analyzing the risks associated with this global pandemic. These factors should be considered when analyzing the risks associated with this global pandemic.
29 Dec 2020Submitted to Transboundary and Emerging Diseases
30 Dec 2020Submission Checks Completed
30 Dec 2020Assigned to Editor
31 Dec 2020Reviewer(s) Assigned
27 Feb 2021Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
27 Feb 2021Editorial Decision: Revise Minor
28 Feb 20211st Revision Received
01 Mar 2021Submission Checks Completed
01 Mar 2021Assigned to Editor
06 Mar 2021Reviewer(s) Assigned
27 Mar 2021Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
01 Apr 2021Editorial Decision: Accept