Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) Vaccine

BCG is a vaccine made specifically for tuberculous. It has only marginal effectiveness for preventing tuberculosis.

Many countries do not use this vaccine because of its limited effectiveness in control programs when TB is uncommon in the population.

In countries where TB is common and relatively uncontrolled, the BCG vaccine is part of their TB control programs. Infants are targeted for vaccination since this vaccine does have some protective effect for children who are frequently exposed.

Side effects from BCG vaccine are extraordinarily rare.

BCG vaccine should not be given to persons who are immune suppressed, e.g., with HIV, organ transplant recipients, or pregnant women.

One injection