Old polio vaccine may offer new shield against COVID-19
NCT ID NCT04445428
First seen Apr 14, 2026 · Last updated Jun 23, 2026 · Updated 12 times
Summary
This study tested whether giving the oral polio vaccine (OPV) to adults over 50 in Guinea-Bissau could reduce their risk of getting sick or dying from COVID-19 and other infections. Researchers enrolled about 3,700 people and gave half the vaccine plus COVID-19 advice, while the other half got advice only. The idea is that live vaccines like OPV can boost the immune system broadly, not just against polio.
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This is a summary of
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Summaries may miss details or leave out important information. Before applying or accepting participation, make sure you have read and understood the full study. Curemydisease.com takes no responsibility whatsoever for anything missed, misunderstood, or acted upon as a result of our summary — we know it does not capture everything.
This is a summary of the original study . Summaries may miss details or leave out important information. Before applying or accepting participation, make sure you have read and understood the full study. Curemydisease.com takes no responsibility whatsoever for anything missed, misunderstood, or acted upon as a result of our summary — we know it does not capture everything.
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Contacts and locations
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Locations
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Bandim Health Project
Bissau, Guinea-Bissau
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.
Active substance
oral polio vaccine (OPV)
What this could lead to
If it works, this could point toward a cheap, widely available vaccine that offers some protection against COVID-19 and other infections.
What could go wrong
This is a completed Phase 4 trial in one African country, so results may not apply elsewhere. OPV is not a specific COVID-19 vaccine and may not provide strong or lasting protection.
Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.