TB injection may help curb COVID-19

Scientists hope jab developed in 1921 triggers immune response

A vaccine that was developed in 1921 to fight the infectious lung disease tuberculosis is being studied to see if it offers protection against COVID-19.

For many decades, the vaccine,which is called BCG, was given to children in the United Kingdom and it has long been thought to trigger wide-ranging changes in the immune system.

Scientists are now studying whether it offers protection against COVID-19 and have launched a trial involving 1,000 people in the UK, led by the University of Exeter.

The BBC said many people in Britain had the jab as children but the experts do not believe it offers protection into adulthood so, if it is effective in protecting against COVID-19, they will need booster inoculations.

John Campbell, a professor in the University of Exeter's medical school, told the broadcaster: "This could be of major importance globally. Whilst we don't think (the protection) will be specific to Covid,it has the potential to buy several years of time for the Covid vaccines to come through and perhaps other treatments to be developed."

Previous studies found BCG reduced deaths by 38 percent in Guinea-Bissau by limiting the number of people with pneumonia and sepsis. And studies in South Africa recorded a 73 percent fall in nose,throat, and lung infections among people who had the jab.

Most people receiving the injection in the study will be health workers and care home employees.

Scientists hope the vaccine will reduce the severity of symptoms and the number of deaths at a time when COVID-19 cases are growing at breakneck speed in the UK, a situation that led one expert to describe the nation as being at a "tipping point".

Jonathan Van-Tam, England's deputy chief medical officer, said in a statement on Sunday that the colder, darker months ahead will make it harder to contain the disease because people will spend less time outdoors. He said people must respond by maintaining hygiene and social distancing.

Van-Tam said the virus has flared recently among young people and is spreading to older age groups.

"Sadly, just as night follows day,increases in deaths will now follow on in the next few weeks," he added.

There were 15,166 new cases of novel coronavirus in the UK on Saturday, a sharp rise from the 13,864 new cases on Friday.

And the UK is now thought to have an R number of between 1.2 and 1.5, which means each infected person is infecting around one and a half others, confirming the outbreak is growing.

The nation's prime minister is expected to unveil new measures on Monday to counter this.

With the virus gathering momentum, the queen attempted to boost morale by honoring people who have been battling COVID-19.

Of the 1,495 people who received titles in her birthday honors list, 414 were nominated for their work in fighting the pandemic.

The Financial Times quoted Prime Minister Boris Johnson as saying they were "caring, compassionate, and resolute in the face of a global pandemic".

"The hard work and dedication of these local, often unsung heroes has helped carry us through," Johnson said."I congratulate them all."

And his right-hand man, Chancellor of the Exchequer Rishi Sunak,weighed in by announcing a new program on Friday to replace the so-called furlough program that ensured people who could not work because of the national lockdown received a portion of their salary.

Sunak's new program is aimed at those who work in pubs, restaurants, and other businesses that will be forced to close because of localized novel coronavirus lockdowns. From Nov 1, the state will pay them 66 percent of their wage, up to a maximum of 2,100 pounds a month ($2,739).

Employers will not have to make a contribution but will be able to access government grants to stay in business.

The program will stay in place for at least six months.

"The extension of the job support scheme will provide a safety net for businesses across the UK who are required to temporarily close their doors," Sunak said.

But, despite the new program,mayors in northern England, where the number of novel coronavirus cases is growing fastest, said any plan to now introduce local lockdowns there will be fought, in court if necessary. The Guardian newspaper said they believe local lockdowns in the north would lead to long-term economic devastation.