Paul Fidel, Ph.D. and Michael Hagensee, MD are leading the charge to secure funding to study the administration of an unrelated live attenuated vaccine, such as MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) and how it could serve as a preventive measure against the worst conditions of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). There is mounting evidence that live attenuated vaccines may protect against subsequent lethal infections, such as progressive lung inflammation and eventual sepsis. A clinical trial with MMR in high-risk populations may serve as a “low-risk/high-reward” preventive measure in saving lives during this unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic.
Dr. Fidel and Dr. Hagensee aim to conduct blind testing on nursing home residents with the vaccine to study the effects in a very low-risk manner. Extreme care will be taken to follow all nursing home and state and local rules while administering the vaccine that can only help, and not hurt, your loved ones.
