Scientists have suggested that a vaccine for children protects against coronavirus. In their opinion, MMR – a combination vaccine against measles, mumps, and rubella can lead to the creation of antibodies.
A group of Lithuanian and Iraqi scientists hypothesized that a combination of measles, mumps, and rubella vaccine (MMR) could protect against coronavirus. Their hypothesis is based on the consistent similarity of 30 amino acid residues between SARS-CoV-2, measles, and rubella glycoproteins of the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Further experiments are needed to confirm the hypothesis.
According to detailed data on patients with coronavirus from China, Italy, and South Korea, this disease is less common and easier in children under the age of 10 years. The reasons why children are less susceptible to COVID-19 remain unclear. However, studies at the Charmo University in Iraq and Kaunas University of Technology (KTU) in Lithuania showed that MMR vaccination may be the reason that children are immune to the disease.
“Antibodies produced in children through the MMR vaccine can recognize some parts of the protein (epitopes) on the SARS-CoV-2 spike proteins. These antibodies, especially in the epithelial layer of the respiratory tract, block the binding and entry of the virus into the cells, ”explains Professor Rimantas Kojius, who participated in the study, explaining this theory.
According to scientists, their studies have shown that the level of antibodies after vaccination can persist for 15-20 years. However, to confirm this hypothesis, experimental studies are needed, which include testing the purified SARS-CoV-2 protein for polyclonal and monoclonal antibodies of measles and rubella viruses.
“At such an uncertain time, when the COVID-19 pandemic harms almost the whole world, we must consider all options for fighting the virus. For this, we want to team up with researchers around the world and test our theory, ”said the researchers.
