BCG vaccine

About the vaccine

• The vaccine does not contain preservatives, antibiotics or adjuvants (enhancers of the immune response), but only traces of the substance used in the production process (lyophilization medium, gelatin and sucrose).
• Before the newborn leaves the maternity ward, usually on the second or third day after birth, he or she receives the BCG vaccine by injection into the skin of the left upper arm. In case that the baby  did not receive the vaccine for some reason (delivery outside the maternity hospital or other), it is necessary to organize the administration of the vaccine until the infant is two months old, and no later than the age of 12 months.
• It is expected that, at the place of vaccine administration, in the upper third of the left upper arm, after 3 to 4 weeks, a local reaction in the form of redness and hardening will occur, which will later soften and usually empty. In 2 to 5 months, it heals, leaving a scar that, after maturing, is whitish in color and a few millimeters in size. During this process, you may notice a slight swelling of the local lymph glands.
• The existing BCG vaccine is effective mainly against the severe forms of non-pulmonary tuberculosis such as: tuberculous infection of the brain and diffuse forms of the disease, but it is only partially effective  against pulmonary tuberculosis, especially in adults.
• The BCG vaccine may be given together with other vaccines only at a different injection site.
• Children who may have lower immunity (immunodeficiency), such as children born with HIV infection, or any other problems of the immune system should not receive this vaccine.
• Children who have not received the vaccine at birth and have diagnosed with tuberculosis  do not receive this vaccine.
• Children who have severe complications at birth receive the vaccine after recovery.