A trial is underway in South Africa to test if the BCG vaccine against tuberculosis is also effective against coronavirus - something unproven at the moment.
Some 500 health workers are taking part in the study, which has seen 250 of them given the injection, and another 250 given a placebo.
Children immunised with BCG tend to suffer less from respiratory illnesses including asthma, Prof Andreas Diacon of Task, the clinical research organisation funding the study, told the AFP news agency.
"South Africa does vaccinate all newborns with BCG. Re-vaccinating adults could help reduce the consequences of this pandemic," Task said in a statement.
Covid-19 is a respiratory illness, but the World Health Organization (WHO) says there is no evidence that the BCG protects people from Covid-19 infection.
The health body said last month that two clinical trials were under way involving BCG, and when completed, their findings would be evaluated by the WHO.
Despite the lack of medical evidence, global search for the term "BCG" has spiked, according to Google.
Another concern for the WHO is that increased demand for the vaccine could mean there will be less of it available to inoculate children against tuberculosis.
Task in South Africa told AFP it planned to extend its BCG trial to up to 3,000 health-care workers in Cape Town, observing participants for at least a year.
Latest Stories
-
World Bank’s food price index eases; maize, wheat prices hit 3-year low
58 mins -
2020 polls all about pulling Ghana back from precipice of destruction, corruption – Naana Jane
1 hour -
Guru expresses interest in contesting SRC election at UG
1 hour -
Oil prices projected to average $84 in 2024 – World Bank
1 hour -
Meet 2 Ghanaian entrepreneurs on a mission to connect 1m African professionals to global companies by 2034
2 hours -
NCA approves Starlink’s satellite broadband application
2 hours -
Government orders FGR to revamp mining operations; assures workers of commitment to their welfare
2 hours -
Arne Slot philosophy could suit Liverpool – Van Dijk
2 hours -
EC replies Mahama: You also appointed someone who was tagged NDC
2 hours -
See colourful outdoor of Prof Naana Opoku-Agyemang as NDC’s running mate
3 hours -
Akufo-Addo commissions 15MWP Kaleo Solar Power Plant
3 hours -
GCB Bank PLC leads African financial integration, hosts ZICB delegation
3 hours -
Empowering Girls in ICT: FAWE Ghana advocates for gender equality in the Tech sector
4 hours -
Rangnick ‘contacted by Bayern Munich’ about manager job
4 hours -
Winneba Youth Choir celebrates 35th Anniversary with Aseda Concert sponsored by Fidelity Bank
4 hours