SII BCG Vaccine

BCG (Bacille Calmette-Guerin) vaccine:

1. What is BCG Vaccine?
- BCG stands for bacille Calmette-Guerin.
- It is a vaccine used to protect against tuberculosis (TB) disease.
- BCG contains a weakened form of the bacteria (*Mycobacterium bovis*) that causes TB.

2. Purpose and Prevalence:
- BCG is commonly used in countries with a high prevalence of TB to prevent childhood tuberculous meningitis and miliary disease.
- However, it is not generally recommended for use in the United States due to the low risk of TB infection and variable effectiveness against adult pulmonary TB.

3. Who Should Consider BCG Vaccination?
- Children: BCG vaccination may be considered for children who:
- Have a negative tuberculin skin test and are continually exposed to adults with untreated or ineffectively treated TB.
- Have TB caused by strains resistant to isoniazid and rifampin.
- Health Care Workers: BCG vaccination for health care workers should be considered on an individual basis in specific settings.

4. Contraindications:
- Immunosuppression: BCG should not be given to immunosuppressed individuals (e.g., HIV-infected persons).
- Pregnancy: BCG vaccination is not recommended during pregnancy.

5. Testing for TB in BCG-Vaccinated Persons:
- The tuberculin skin test (TST) and blood tests for TB infection are not contraindicated for BCG-vaccinated individuals.
- BCG vaccination may cause a false-positive reaction to the TST, but it does not predict protection against TB disease.

Remember to consult your healthcare provider for personalized advice on vaccination.