The tuberculosis vaccine could help prevent multiple sclerosis (MS) in people showing early signs of the disease, research suggests.
The Bacille Calmette-Guerin (BCG) jab – which was given to millions of Britons as part of a now-defunct NHS vaccination programme – appears to double the chance of patients not developing MS.
In Malta, a spokesman for the Health Ministry said the BCG vaccine is offered only to children under five who are defined as “risk category”.
The research, published in the journal Neurology, showed that 58 per cent of vaccinated people did not develop MS, compared with 30 per cent of those who received a dummy drug.
However, the authors warned that more research was needed and said it was unclear how long the vaccine might offer protection.
In Malta, the BCG vaccine is offered only to children under five who are defined as risk category
The study involved 73 people who suffered an episode of symptoms that could suggest MS, such as numbness, vision problems or issues with balance.
They also had an MRI scan that showed signs of possible MS.
Experts know that around half of people with these symptoms develop full MS within two years, while one in 10 go on to have no more problems.
For the study, 33 of people received the BCG vaccine and the rest received a placebo, then all of the participants had brain scans once a month for six months.
Both groups then received the MS drug interferon beta-1a for a year, followed by any drugs recommended by their neurologist.
Researchers evaluated the results of the study five years after it began.
After the first six months, the people who received the vaccine had an average of three of the brain lesions that are signs of MS, compared with seven for those who received the placebo. The subjects experienced no major side effects during the study.