Cross-Protection Induced by Encephalitis Vaccines against COVID-19 Might be a Reason for Relatively Lower Mortality Rate in Some Countries

Cross-Protection Induced by Encephalitis Vaccines against COVID-19 Might be a Reason for Relatively Lower Mortality Rate in Some Countries

Shojiro Katoh, Toshihiko Obayashi, Jegatheesan Saravana Ganesh, Masaru Iwasaki, Senthilkumar Preethy, Samuel Abraham

COronaVIrus Disease 2019 (COVID-19), is an ongoing pandemic attributed to a novel virus SARS‐CoV‐2. The statistics of the incidence and the death rates between nations reveal that there is a discrepancy amongst compared with even those that share their borders. We herein present information from the literature on how cross-protection against COVID-19 conferred by the encephalitis vaccine could be the reason for lower fatality rate in the countries where immunization against encephalitis is widespread or included in national programs. This may pave way for arriving at efficient strategies of prevention as well as vaccine development.

2020

covid-19, Cross-immunity, Encephalitis vaccine

10.22037/aaem.v8i1.683

Epidemiology and Health

Korean Society of Epidemiology

Medical emergencies. Critical care. Intensive care. First aid