Keeping Ready against Omicron and Future Variants: Can Ivermectin Prophylactic Effects Improve the Vaccination Effects against COVID-19?

Abstract

The standard treatment options for Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) remain challenging despite community vaccinations and reduced mortality. As the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) virus continues to evolve and new strains emerge, diversity in the use of existing antiviral drugs has become a crucial therapeutic tool in combating the COVID-19 epidemic. Many types of infectious diseases, including DNA and RNA viruses, have traditionally been treated with ivermectin, a broad-spectrum anti-parasitic, and anti-viral drug. In spite of this, the effectiveness of ivermectin as a treatment for SARS-CoV-2 is still controversial, based on currently available data. The aim of this study was to provide comprehensive information on ivermectin, including its safety and efficacy. We hypothesized that ivermectin prophylactic effects may enhance vaccine effectiveness against SARS-CoV-2 infection in this study. Also, the combination of ivermectin with other drugs to reduce its adverse effects could be beneficial and we suggest that it can be evaluated in future studies.