The DPT vaccine (diphtheria, tetanus and Bordetella pertussis bacteria) could help...

In a study carried out by Pedro A. Reche, a researcher from the Department of Immunology of the Complutense School of Medicine, the possibility has been raised that the cross immunity of the pediatric tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis vaccine could protect against Covid- 19.

This immunity would allow the activation of protective responses against SARS-CoV-2 mediated by CD8 and CD4 T lymphocytes and by B lymphocytes in vaccinated individuals.

The argument is based primarily on the fact that DTP (vaccine against tetanus, diphtheria and the protein of the bacterium Bordetella pertussis, which causes pertussis), is applied worldwide during the first year of life (3 to 4 doses) with a booster at 4 or 6 years and a dose of low antigenic load at 9 to 14 years, being able to induce a strong immune memory with cross-reactivity against the virus.

Said immunity surely decays over time, correlating with the severity with which Covid-19 is shown as the age of the patients increases, reaching its maximum in the geriatric population.
Therefore, according to the expert, it would be advisable to consider the use of this vaccine or one of its derivatives with a lower antigenic load in the general population and thus enhance the immune response against SARS-CoV-2.

It should be remembered that the DPT does not only have one version since it can be applied both in a cellular and acellular way, being applied in Spain in the second way.

This study shows a higher incidence of the severity of COVID-19 in the countries where this vaccine is applied in a cellular way.

Leukocytes are those cells that are found in the blood and that originate in the bone marrow. Their main function is to fight infections and diseases.