ROCHESTER, Minn. (KTTC) – While the world is waiting for fear of a coronavirus vaccine, health experts say there is something we can do to try to keep us healthy in the meantime. They want everyone to be up-to-date on their immunizations.
Immune training is not a new concept. For example, the BCG vaccine is used to prevent tuberculosis.
“It is known to prevent a variety of diseases other than tuberculosis,” said Dr. Andrew Badley, Mayo Clinic COVID Research Taskforce Chair. “That it prevents you from malaria, possibly yellow fever, and other diseases.”
Even the intention against flu is known to be more beneficial than preventing the season break.
“And so when we got into the COVID era, we asked the question ‘what is the effect of regularly scheduled vaccines on your chances of developing COVID disease?'” Badley said. “And what we’re finding out is there’s a large number of vaccines, measles vaccines, flu vaccines, pneumococcal vaccines and a few others that if you take those vaccines, your risk of getting COVID is less than if you took these vaccines. do not take. “
Badley said no clinical trials have been proven yet, but investigations have been conducted.
“A lot of people are waiting at the moment to get a vaccine that is specific to COVID,” Badley said. “We are all. We want to see that. We want to see someone who is effective. But it’s important to know that today there are interventions that you can do that will reduce your risk. And in the best case. , a vaccine will reduce your risk. “
In addition to being up to date on your vaccines, there are things we can do today to reduce our chances of a serious COVID-19 outcome, such as controlling diabetes, getting exercise, reducing alcohol intake, and quitting smoking.
