The BCG vaccine (Bacillus Calmette-Guérin) helps protect a baby against tuberculosis (TB).
TB is a serious infectious disease. TB can progress rapidly, particularly in young children and infants, and can lead to TB meningitis (swelling of the lining of the brain) in babies.
In young people and adults it usually affects the lungs, but can also affect the:
Most people in the UK recover fully after treatment, but this usually takes several months.
TB isn’t a common disease. In Scotland, fewer than 300 new cases of TB are diagnosed every year.
Cases of TB can be found all over the world, with some countries experiencing high rates of TB.
The risk of getting TB is higher for people who have lived or worked in countries with high rates of TB.
An up-to-date list of countries with high rates of TB is available on the GOV.UK website.
The BCG vaccine is offered to babies who are more likely to come into contact with someone with TB. This is because they either lived in an area with high rates of TB, or their parents or grandparents came from a country with high rates of TB.
A baby is eligible for the BCG vaccine if:
If you are unsure if a baby meets these criteria, please speak to a health professional.
An up-to-date list of countries with high rates of TB is available on the GOV.UK website.
A baby is likely to be identified as eligible and offered the vaccine soon after birth. However, the vaccine can be given at any time.
The vaccine is given while you hold the baby comfortably on your knee. The health professional will inject the vaccine just under the skin of the upper part of the baby’s left arm.
If you’re unsure about anything, or have any questions about the BCG vaccine, phone:
The BCG vaccine contains a weakened form of the bacteria (germs) that cause TB. The vaccine doesn’t actually cause TB, but it helps a baby develop protection (immunity) against the disease in case they ever come into contact with it.
The vaccine only needs to be give once.
The BCG vaccine AJV is routinely used in Scotland.
All medicines (including vaccines) are tested for safety and effectiveness before they’re allowed to be used. Their safety continues to be monitored while in use by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA). The BCG vaccine meets the high safety standards required for it to be used in the UK and other European countries. The vaccine has been given to millions of people worldwide.
The BCG vaccine should be delayed if the baby has a high fever.
The BCG vaccine may also be delayed in babies born to mothers who received treatment during pregnancy or breastfeeding that may have weakened their immune system, such as anti-TNF therapy. It may also be delayed for babies born to mothers who are HIV positive. Please consult your health professional for further advice if this applies to the baby you are bringing.
If the baby is less than two years of age and lives in a household where there is a suspected or confirmed case of active TB, the baby must be tested for TB before they receive the vaccine. They will be able to be vaccinated if they are not already infected.
Other reasons the BCG vaccine should not be given include if the baby:
The BCG vaccine should also not be given if the baby is suffering from a generalised septic skin condition. Babies with eczema, however, can be given the vaccine in an area without broken skin.
After having the vaccine there may be side effects, but these are usually mild.
Vaccines protect a baby against the risk of very serious infections and should not be delayed.
Immediately after the vaccine is given, a raised blister will appear. This shows that the vaccine’s been given properly.
Within 2 to 6 weeks, a small spot will appear. This may be quite sore for a few days, but it’ll gradually heal and may leave a small scar.
Occasionally, the baby may develop a small sore where the vaccine was injected. If this is leaking and needs to be covered, use a dry dressing – never a waterproof plaster or creams – until a scab forms. It’s better to leave the sore uncovered if possible and it’s fine to leave it uncovered when bathing. This sore may take several months to heal completely.
Fever can be expected after any vaccination. Fevers are usually mild, so you only need to give a dose of infant paracetamol if the child isn’t comfortable or is unwell. Read the instructions on the bottle very carefully.
Ibuprofen can also be used to treat a fever and other post-vaccination reactions. Read the instructions on the product packing very carefully. Giving ibuprofen at the time of vaccination to prevent a fever is not effective.
Remember, never give medicines that contain aspirin to children under 16.
In infants who do develop a fever after vaccination, the fever tends to peak around 6 hours after vaccination and is nearly always gone completely within 2 days.
Read more about treating a fever in children
If you think the child might be seriously ill, trust your instincts and seek urgent medical advice.
If your GP practice is closed, phone the 111 service.
The diseases vaccines protect against are very serious and therefore vaccination should not be delayed because of concerns about post-vaccination fever.
Public Health Scotland is a proud member of the Vaccine Safety Net and partners with NHS inform to provide reliable information on vaccine safety.
The Vaccine Safety Net is a global network of websites, evaluated by the World Health Organization, that provides reliable information on vaccine safety.
More about the Vaccine Safety Net
Information leaflets from Public Health Scotland are available in
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Last updated:
10 September 2024