Is MMR Vaccine Effective Against COVID-19?

Theoretically it has been stated that the Measles-Mumps-Rubella vaccine (MMR) is said to provide protection against COVID-19. The researchers proved this by showing that the levels IgG antibodies (Immunoglobulin G- which is a common type of antibody) in patients who are previously vaccinated with the MMR II is inversely related with severity of infection in patients who have recovered from COVID-19. The study was published in American Society for Microbiology. The MMR II vaccine was produced by Merck and contains the Edmonston strain of measles, Jeryl Lynn (B-level) strain of mumps, and Wistar RA 27/3 strain of rubella.

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

Clinical trial

Two groups of 80 subjects were made. The first group consisted of 50 US born citizens who had MMR antibodies due to the MMR vaccine. The second group consisted of 30 people who had no history of MMR vaccine, but they had antibodies from a previous infection with measles or mumps or rubella. This group was called as the comparison group.

On analysis, the researchers found a significant inverse relation between the mumps titer, which is concentration of antibodies in the blood of the person, and COVID-19 severity within the first group. No significant link between disease severity and mumps titer was found in the second group also called as the comparison group.

No significant correlation was observed between severity of COVID-19 and measles or rubella titers in both the groups and between mumps titers and age in the first group that is the MMR II group.

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In the MMR II group,

• Mumps titer of 134 to 300 AU/ml indicates functionally immune or asymptomatic
• Mumps titer below 134 AU/ml indicates mild Covid-19 symptoms
• Mumps titer below 75 AU/ml indicates moderate symptoms
• Mumps titer below 32 AU/ml indicates hospitalized patients requiring oxygen

Standard diagnostic protocol was used to measure titers by Quest Diagnostics.

David J. Hurley, PhD, professor and molecular microbiologist at the University of Georgia and the co-author of this study said,“This is the first immunological study to evaluate 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 a relationship involved that warrants further investigation. The MMR II vaccine is considered a safe vaccine with very few side effects. If it has the ultimate benefit of preventing infection from COVID-19, preventing the spread of COVID-19, reducing the severity of it, or a combination of any or all of those, it is a very high reward low risk ratio intervention. Maximum seropositivity is achieved through two vaccinations at least 28 days apart. Based upon our study, it would be prudent to vaccinate those over 40 regardless of whether or not they already have high serum MMR titers."

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Source-Medindia