How is bcg given

If you are concerned about any reactions that occur after vaccination, consult your doctor. See more information on the Yellow Card scheme and monitoring of vaccine safety. The tuberculin skin test also called the Mantoux test may be given before you are offered the BCG vaccine.

If you develop a hard red lump at the test site, this is a positive result. It means that your immune system already recognises TB, because you have been exposed to the disease in the past. In this case you should not be given the BCG vaccine because you already have some immunity to TB, and the vaccine may cause unpleasant side effects.

If you have no reaction to the skin test, this is a negative result, and you can safely have the BCG vaccine. At first it was offered to children of school leaving age 14 years old because TB was most common in young adults at this time.

Rates of TB in the UK were already falling, and they continued to fall after the vaccine was introduced. In the s it was realised that there were higher numbers of TB cases in people coming to the UK from countries with high rates of TB. Vaccination of all children aged continued until , when it was decided that TB rates in the general population had fallen to such a low level that universal BCG vaccination was no longer needed.

The UK programme now targets babies and children who are most at risk of exposure to TB, with the aim of preventing the more serious childhood forms of TB. The vaccine is given just under the skin intradermally , usually in the left upper arm. This is the recommended site, so that small scar left after vaccination can be easily found in the future as evidence of previous vaccination. No other vaccine should be given in the same limb as the BCG for three months afterwards, because of the risk of lymphadenitis an enlarged lymph node that becomes infected.

Tuberculosis TB is caused by a type of bacterium called Mycobacterium. There are If the skin test is positive that is, your child may have previously been infected with TB the BCG vaccine should not be given. If the skin test is negative, your child will be able to receive the BCG vaccine. Children, particularly those under five years of age, who are travelling to countries with a high rate of TB infections. Some children should not get the BCG vaccine because the vaccine could cause complications.

This includes those who:. Reactions to vaccines also called vaccine side effects sometimes occur. The ulcer is usually less than a centimetre in diameter, and may last from a few weeks to a few months before healing to a small, flat scar.

There are some rare side effects associated with the BCG vaccine. If any of the following occur, see your GP:. I've heard there is a shortage of BCG vaccine — will I be able to get the vaccine for my child?

In the past few years there has been a worldwide shortage of BCG vaccine. Find out more about who should have the BCG vaccine. Because the bacteria in the vaccine is weak, it triggers the immune system to protect against the infection but does not give you TB.

It provides consistent protection against the most severe forms of TB, such as TB meningitis in children. It's less effective in preventing TB that affects the lungs in adults, so has limited impact on the spread of TB.

Like all vaccines, the BCG vaccine can cause side effects, but they're uncommon and generally mild. More serious complications, such as abscesses, bone inflammation and widespread TB are rare.

Most children develop a sore at the injection site. For information about the 4th Angel Mentoring Program visit www. Toggle navigation. Spanish About Chemocare. What BCG Is Used For: Bladder cancer Note: If a drug has been approved for one use, physicians sometimes elect to use this same drug for other problems if they believe it might be helpful.

This means it is given directly into the bladder through a urinary catheter. The urinary catheter is inserted through the urethra the tube which carries urine from the bladder to the outside of the body. The BCG solution is injected into the catheter, which is then clamped. Clamping the catheter allows the medication to remain in the bladder.

The patient is encouraged to roll from side to side and to lie on their backs to help the medication reach all areas of the bladder. After a predetermined time usually about 2 hours the catheter is unclamped and the fluid is drained. The catheter is then removed. BCG treatment is given as an outpatient procedure. The treatments are usually given on a weekly basis for 6 weeks followed by treatments once a month for 6 to 12 months.

Your doctor will determine your exact treatment schedule and dose. BCG side effects are often predictable in terms of their onset, duration and severity. BCG side effects will improve after therapy is complete. BCG side effects may be quite manageable.