A new trial in Victoria, Australia, will test whether the Bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) vaccine can boost children’s immune systems and reduce allergies, eczema and asthma.
Hundreds of newborn babies are being given the jab, which had been phased out back in the 1980s when rates of TB dropped very low. By following up these children, researchers at the Murdoch Children’s Research Institute hope to show that the vaccination not only prevents TB, but helps overcome children’s super clean start to life, which they believe may account for the rise in allergies over recent decades. If the trial is successful, there could be widespread roll out of the vaccination once again.
Read the full article in the Australian Herald Sun
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