BCG vaccine prevents tuberculosis or TB. BCG stands for "Bacille Calmette-Guerin" and is named after Dr Calmette and Dr Guerin who developed it in the early part of last century. It has been used since 1921 to prevent TB. BCG vaccine has been developed from a germ similar to TB called Mycobacterium bovis. It is a live vaccine that has been processed so that it is not harmful to humans.
What is TB?
For more information please read the fact sheet on TB.
What does the vaccine do?
The BCG vaccine does not prevent someone being infected with TB, but it prevents the development of the disease. It is specifically designed to prevent TB disease in children. BCG vaccine protects children for about 10 years and the World Health Organisation recommends one dose.
How is it given?
If there is a chance you/your child has been infected with TB, the doctor will arrange for a TB skin (Mantoux) test before you/your child can have a BCG vaccine. If the skin test is positive (ie, you/your child has previously been infected with TB) you should not have the BCG vaccine. If the skin test is negataive, the BCG vaccine is given by an injection just under the skin. It is usually given on the left upper arm.
Who should get the BCG vaccine?
•All children travelling for more than six weeks to countries with high levels of TB
•Aboriginal babies in high TB risk areas
•Babies whose mothers have TB
Who should definitely NOT get the BCG vaccine?
Some people should not get the BCG vaccine because the vaccine could cause complications. This includes people who:
•have had TB before
•have a positive Mantoux (skin) test
•have an HIV infection
•have an underlying condition or take medicines that weaken their immune system
•pregnant women
Because TB is not common in Australia, BCG vaccine is not part of the routine vaccination schedule.
What are the side-effects of the BCG vaccine?
All people who get BCG vaccine will get a red lump where they had the injection after about a week. This becomes an ulcer (open sore) by about 2-3 weeks and then heals by about eight weeks leaving a small scar. The scar is one way we can tell ifyou have had the vaccine.
A few people (less than one in 20) will have side-effects. Side effects include:
•A large skin ulcer where the person had the injection (the most common side effect - about three people in 100)
•Infection of the lymph glands in the armpit (about one person in 100)
•Keloid scarring (very noticeable scarring on your skin). This does not happen very often and won't happen if the vaccine is given correctly.
•Severe immediate allergic reactions but these also do not happen very often.
For more information
•The Royal Children's Hospital in Melbourne runs a travel clinic for children and their families on Monday afternoons in the Outpatient Department. You will need a referral from your GP.
•American CDC website on TB
•The WHO website on TB