The measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine has been theorized to provide protection against coronavirus disease (COVID-19). This theory was introduced in March 2020 by a group of researchers after observing that recent, large-scale MMR vaccination campaigns were associated with countries with the fewest COVID-19 deaths. Vaccines induce a variety of different antibodies to protect against a virus, since each part of an antigen stimulates different antibodies and titer tests determine seropositivity based upon a set of antibody concentrations.

The study found that high mumps titers (134 to 300 AU/ml) from MMR II vaccinations were found only in subjects with asymptomatic and functionally immune COVID-19 cases. Subjects with moderate and severe cases of COVID-19 all had low mumps titer values (below 75 AU/ml). The study showed no correlation between rubella titers or measles titers and COVID-19 severity. While the study only provided clear evidence linking mumps seropositivity to COVID-19 severity, there still may be links between measles or rubella seropositivity that have not yet been identified.

As we have discussed in earlier blog posts, there is a ton of research going on; these experts are thinking outside of the box in an attempt to find a preventive treatment for COVID-19. We need to acknowledge and thank these tireless efforts, as without them we would never have a vaccine!

Stay the course, stay strong, stay well, mask up, and stay tuned!