NEWS BRIEFING: Researchers crack code behind historic success of TB vaccine now being trialled for COVID-19

Publicly released:
Australia; International; WA

Aussie researchers have figured out one of science’s most enduring mysteries: what makes the 100-year-old tuberculosis (TB) vaccine, BCG, so effective at preventing newborn deaths from diseases other than TB. Working with a global team, they’ve found the vaccine, currently being investigated for its potential to fight off COVID-19, rapidly increases the number of neutrophils – white blood cells that patrol the body and destroy invading bacteria – in mice and babies within three days of vaccination. Join us for an online briefing where we will discuss how the vaccine works and how it could be used to protect millions of newborns.

Media release

From: Australian Science Media Centre

Date: Wed 6 May 2020
Start Time: 1pm AEST
Duration: Approx 45 min 
Venue: Online

Speakers:

  • Dr Nelly Amenyogbe, Telethon Kids Institute
  • Professor Tobias Kollmann, Telethon Kids Institute

A full recording of the briefing is available via the link below

Multimedia

Tobias Kollmann
Tobias Kollmann
Nelly Amenyogbe and Tobias Kollmann
Nelly Amenyogbe and Tobias Kollmann
Nelly Amenyogbe
Nelly Amenyogbe

Attachments

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Video Australian Science Media Centre, Web page Full briefing recording
Journal/
conference:
Science Translational Medicine
Research:Paper
Organisation/s: Telethon Kids Institute
Funder: N/A
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