No ‘strong argument’ that BCG jabs reduce Covid-19 spread, says Health DG

Since 1961, infants born in Malaysia have been given the vaccine almost immediately after being born. (AFP pic)

PETALING JAYA: The health ministry this evening said there was no strong argument to show that BCG can reduce the spread of Covid-19, as claimed by a study done in the United States.

BCG, or the Bacillus Calmette–Guérin vaccine, is used primarily against tuberculosis.

Since 1961, infants born in Malaysia have been given the vaccine almost immediately after being born.

“To date, there is no strong argument that BCG can prevent the spread of Covid-19,” Health director-general Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah said at a press conference in Putrajaya.

“But studies are being carried out with the World Health Organization (WHO) for a vaccine.”

He said a vaccine could be made available within a year.

Hisham was asked to comment on a news report that an Irish medical consultant, based at the University of Texas in Houston, had found that countries with BCG vaccination programmes recorded fewer coronavirus cases, by a factor of 10, compared to nations where such vaccinations are not given.

He went on to say that some of the drugs in use to combat the pandemic, such as hydroxychloroquine and Lopinavir, are still being reviewed.

Hydroxychloroquine is a common anti-malarial drug, while Lopinavir is used to treat HIV.

“These are for off-label use, which means they are not recommended to be used.

“But in times of a crisis, we look at the evidence and there is evidence that these drugs can be used.”

Hydroxychloroquine — which has been used since Day One to treat Covid-19 patients — has anti-inflammatory properties which prevented the patient’s condition from worsening,  Hisham said.

Hence, he said the ministry felt that the drug could help reduce inflammation.

“So, as a result, we saw fewer patients being warded in the ICU or needing respiratory assistance.” - FMT