BCG Vaccine (Tuberculosis)

BCG Vaccine SSI contains bacteria of the type Mycobacterium bovis BCG and is used for protection against tuberculosis (TB, link to W.H.O. site found here).

Before you receive BCG Vaccine SSI please take note:

You should not be vaccinated with BCG Vaccine SSI:

if you have known allergies to any of the ingredients in the vaccine
if you have a fever or generalised skin infection. In these cases vaccination should be postponed.
if you have a weakened resistance toward infections due to a disease in/of your immune system
if you are receiving medical treatment that affects the immune response e.g. corticosteroids, radiotherapy, or are suffering from any malignant conditions (e.g. lymphoma, leukaemia or Hodgkin's disease)
if you are infected with HIV
if you are receiving medical treatment against TB

Inform our doctor:

if you have eczema. The vaccination can be given in an eczema-free area
if you have been skin tested for TB infection (Mantoux or Heaf Test) and the test was found positive vaccination is not required. Vaccination may cause a severe local reaction in that case

Taking other medicines, including other vaccines

Please tell our doctor if you are taking or have recently taken any other medicines, including medicines obtained without a prescription
Other vaccines can be given at the same time as BCG Vaccine SSI at different injection sites

Mantoux test:

A Mantoux test is performed prior to the BCG vaccination in all persons over the age of 6 years to check whether they have already acquired immunity to TB by natural exposure. A Mantoux test is not required prior to BCG vaccination for children under 6 years of age, unless:

resident in a high risk area e.g. south east Asia
contact with open TB patient.

Pregnancy and Breast-feeding

Please inform our doctor if you are pregnant or are breast-feeding.

Vaccination is not recommended during pregnancy or breast feeding, although no harmful side effects to the unborn child have been associated with BCG Vaccine SSI.

Driving and Using Machines

BCG Vaccine SSI has no influence on the ability to drive and use machines.

Possible Side Effects

Like all medicines, BCG Vaccine SSI can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them. Severe allergic reactions (such as redness of the face and neck, swelling of the face, throat or neck, skin rash, breathing difficulties and collapse) may occur in rare cases (less than 1 in 1000).

If you observe any of the above reactions contact our doctor or your GP immediately.

Other side effects include:
Uncommon side effects (may occur in less than 1 in 100 people):

Fever
Swelling of lymph nodes in the armpit larger than 1 cm across
An oozing ulcer at the injection site
Headache

Rare side effects (may occur in less than 1 in 1000 people):

inflammation of lymph nodes, sometimes with oozing ulcers, possibly abscess
infection with the bacteria from the vaccine can occur. The infection can spread throughout the body, including the bones.

Fainting, seizures and convulsions amongst patients receiving injections have been observed.

If any of the side effects gets serious, or if you notice any side effects not listed in this leaflet, please tell our doctor. Some side effects require treatment.

How You Are Vaccinated with BCG Vaccine SSI

Our doctor or nurse will give the vaccination by injection into the upper layer of the skin, usually in the left upper arm.

The dose is 0.05 ml for children under 12 months of age and 0.1 ml for adults and children aged 12 months or more. The injection site is best left uncovered to facilitate healing.

The expected reactions to the vaccination include:

a slight swelling, redness and tenderness at the injection site followed by a local lesion
some weeks later this lesion evolves into a small ulcer
after some months this ulcer will heal leaving a small, flat scar
a slight swelling of the lymph nodes in the armpit may be experienced
The above reactions are common reactions to the vaccination.