FACT BRIEF

Does a study suggest that the MMR vaccine provides children with some protection against COVID-19?

Wednesday, January 20, 2021

By Lauralei Singsank

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YES

A November 2020 study suggests a potential explanation for why children are more likely to have mild or asymptomatic COVID-19 cases and to contract the virus at lower rates. The coronavirus and MMR have similarities, and the body's immune system is thought to respond to their antibodies in similar ways.

The study found that people with lower levels of mumps, measles and rubella antibodies experienced more severe cases of COVID-19 than people with higher levels of the antibodies. These antibodies usually result from the two-dose MMR vaccine, which is administered to the majority of children at 12-15 months and 4-6 years of age.

The study identified a threshold of antibodies that made MMR vaccine recipients functionally asymptomatic or immune to the coronavirus. After age 14, the antibodies begin to decrease. The lower the MMR antibody level, the more severity of COVID-19 was observed.

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Sources

American Society for Microbiology: MMR vaccine could help protect against Covid-19

American Society for Microbiology: Analysis of MMR titers of recovered COVID-19 patients

Healthline: The MMR vaccine may help protect against COVID-19

Center for Disease Control Centers for Disease Control: MMR vaccination

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