New Insights in Aging Immunity and the BCG Vaccine

Abstract

Influenza and other respiratory tract infections are the main reasons for hospital admissions and death in the elderly. It is suggested that with the strengthening of the Th1 response by means of Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) vaccination may protect them from many viral infections, including influenza and Coronavirus disease-2019 in the elderly. This review suggests that in future in the event of an outbreak, the BCG vaccine may provide a more powerful immune response against new pathogens in the elderly when applied monthly in a consecutive period of three months.