Study Suggests MMR Vaccine May Be Linked with Fewer Deaths from COVID-19

Epidemiological data suggests populations with the highest measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccination rates often have the fewest deaths from COVID-19, which researchers believe could be why children, teenagers and other young adults often have few severe symptoms from COVID-19, and few deaths are attributed to COVID-19 in young age groups.

Larry P. Tilley, MD, co-investigator of the report “MMR Vaccine Link to COVID-19: Fewer Deaths and Milder Cases from SARS-CoV-2 in Measles-Rubella Vaccinated Populations,” is working with the World Organization to begin MMR titer testing of recovered novel coronavirus patients to determine if the link described between MMR vaccines and COVID-19 can be confirmed. Individuals who have recovered from COVID-19, regardless of how severe their case was, are encouraged to apply online to join World Organization’s COVID-19 MMR Titer Study. As long as someone has tested positive, they can apply to join the study, even if they were asymptomatic. Tests will be administered at Quest Diagnostics laboratories across the United States.