Commentary: BCG vaccination halves neonatal mortality

摘要

There is now strong evidence that vaccines have very substantial nonspecific (heterologous) effects in children in high-mortality regions.1'2 The hypothesis states that, until the next vaccine is given, BCG vaccine approximately halves mortality from diseases other than tuberculosis and, provided vitamin A has not been given, measles vaccine approximately halves mortality from infections other than measles. Conversely, until the next vaccine is given, whole-cell diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis vaccine (DTP) increases mortality in girls from diseases other than diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis.