BCG vaccine

This is for informational purposes only. For medical advice consult a professional

Most of the information is based on the 'Purple book of Immunisation 2022-23

Below is the FAQ on BCG vaccine from Indian Academy of Paediatrics

BCG-Vaccine.pdf

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Vaccine information in brief

In India the brand name is TUBERVAC.

BCG is given to prevent Tuberculosis and its serious complications.

It is a LIVE vaccine, which means the bacteria are alive, but don't cause disease.

Alert :

BCG is also used to treat certain type of Urinary bladder cancer.

Brand name is ONCO BCG. This contains different dose of the bacteria.

Who can be vaccinated

• All newborn babies in India

  
  

• Special Populations who can be also vaccinated

• Preterm infants 32 weeks gestation age and above, who are having no current ongoing medical problems and are considered "stable".

• Low birth weight infants above 1500 grams, who are having no current ongoing medical problems and are considered "stable"

• Mother with TB

  • link to WHO document https://tbksp.who.int/en/node/2090

  • if the baby is well, start TB Preventive Treatment [TPT] for 3 months [INH + RIF]

  • at the end of the TPT do either Mantoux test [TB Skin Test] or IGRA test. If this is negative, administer BCG vaccine. If positive, no BCG required.

Vaccine information in detail

• The current strain of the bacteria used in India is Moscow strain.

• The Vaccine comes as a white powder to which Normal Saline is added before the vaccination is done. This process of adding water to the powder is called Reconstitution.

• The reconstituted liquid form of the vaccine contains TB bacteria which are alive but very very weakened [ can't cause disease, but helps the body develop immunity]

• This vaccine is administered

  1. into the layers of the skin [ Intradermal ]

     Because of the very thin skin of a new born baby, occasionally the vaccine might get administered just below the skin. This also is ok and should produce good immunity.

  2. Administered on Outer surface of the left arm below the shoulder.