Could an Unrelated Live Attenuated Vaccine Serve as a Preventive Measure To Dampen Septic Inflammation Associated with COVID-19 Infection?
Paul Fidel, Ph.D. and Michael Hagensee, MD are leading the charge to secure funding to study the administration of an unrelated live attenuated vaccine, such as MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) and how it could serve as a preventive measure against the worst conditions of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). There is mounting evidence that live attenuated vaccines may protect against subsequent lethal infections, such as progressive lung inflammation and eventual sepsis. A clinical trial with MMR in high-risk populations may serve as a “low-risk/high-reward” preventive measure in saving lives during this unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic.