Resumo:
Introduction: COVID-19 cases in Brazil have shown that there is no uniformity in the occurrence of the disease in the population (Brazil, 2022), ranging from asymptomatic infections to severe cases, even among individuals with similar conditions. Studies conducted in some countries have shown evidence that prior exposure to the BCG vaccine can induce the occurrence of less severe forms of the disease. Objective: To analyze the severity of COVID-19 in hospitalized patients, according to BCG vaccination status. Method: A cross-sectional, descriptive study compared the prevalence (95% CI) of severe manifestations of COVID-19 in 325 patients admitted to an Infectious Diseases Unit between September 2020 and March 2021, comparing them with regard to prior exposure to the BCG vaccine. Results: The study found a higher frequency of hospitalization and deaths in males, Black/Mixed race, those with
low education levels, and the elderly, and a frequency of 10.4% of hospitalized patients without signs/symptoms of lung damage. A higher frequency of ventilatory support use (53.2%), ICU use (55.9%), and deaths (60%) were observed in unvaccinated patients. There was an association between BCG exposure and a lower need for ICU admission. Conclusion: The results reaffirm the importance of social and economic inequalities in hospitalization and deaths from COVID-19. They corroborate previous studies on evidence of the possible effect of BCG in reducing the severity of COVID-19, with findings of a higher prevalence of ICU use among unvaccinated individuals (PR: 1.21). The results suggest a review of the reporting criteria for severe COVID-19 in SIVEP Gripe to expand knowledge about extrapulmonary forms of SARS-CoV infection, improving clinical management protocols and implementing public policies to protect
public health.
