MMR vaccine could protect against COVID-19

The measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine has been theorized to provide protection against COVID-19. In a new study published in mBio, an open access journal of the American Society for Microbiology, researchers provide further evidence for this by showing that anti-mumps IgG titers, or IgG antibody levels, are inversely correlated with severity in recovered COVID-19 patients previously vaccinated with the MMR II vaccine produced by Merck. MMR II contains the Edmonston strain of measles, the Jeryl Lynn (level B) strain of mumps and the Wistar RA 27/3 strain of rubella.

“We found a statistically significant inverse correlation between mumps titer levels and the severity of COVID-19 in people under the age of 42 who were vaccinated against MMR II,” said the lead author of the study Jeffrey E. Gold, President of the World Organization, in Watkinsville, Georgia. “This is in addition to other associations showing that the MMR vaccine can be protective against COVID-19. It may also explain why children have a much lower rate of COVID-19 cases than adults, as well as a much lower death rate. The majority of children receive their first MMR vaccine around the age of 12 to 15 months and a second from 4 to 6 years old. “

In the new study, the researchers divided 80 subjects into 2 groups. The MMR II group consisted of 50 subjects born in the United States who are believed to have primarily MMR antibodies to the MMR II vaccine. A comparison group of 30 subjects had no record of MMR II vaccination and would mainly have MMR antibodies from other sources, including a history of measles, mumps and / or rubella. The researchers found a significant inverse correlation (rs = -0.71, P

In the MMR II group, mumps titers of 134-300 AU / ml (n = 8) were found only in those who were functionally immune or asymptomatic. All patients with mild symptoms of COVID-19 had mumps titers less than 134 AU / ml (n = 17). All with moderate symptoms had mumps titers less than 75 AU / ml (n = 11). All those who had been hospitalized and required oxygen had mumps titers less than 32 AU / ml (n = 5). Titers were measured by Quest Diagnostics using their standard diagnostic protocol.

“This is the first immunological study to assess the relationship between the MMR II vaccine and COVID-19. The statistically significant inverse correlation between mumps titers and COVID-19 indicates that there is an involved relationship that warrants further investigation, ”said co-author David J. Hurley, Ph.D., professor and molecular microbiologist at the University of Georgia. “The MMR II vaccine is considered a safe vaccine with very few side effects. If it has the ultimate benefit of preventing infection with COVID-19, preventing the spread of COVID-19, reducing it severity, or a combination of either In all of these cases, this is a very high yield, low risk-ratio intervention Maximum seropositivity is achieved with at least two vaccinations 28 days apart. Based on our study, it would be prudent to vaccinate those over 40, whether or not they already have elevated serum MMR titers. ”

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