# BCG (Tuberculosis)

> The content on this page is for informational and educational purposes only. It does not constitute medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment recommendations. If you have health concerns, consult a qualified healthcare professional. Medova is not a medical service provider.

Source: https://medova.health/en/knowledge/vaccines/bcg-vaccine · Language: en

## Vaccine Information

- Type: Live
- Administration: Injection
- WHO Code: BCG
- Travel Recommended: No

**Pregnancy: CONTRAINDICATED — live vaccine.**

BCG is a live attenuated vaccine and is **contraindicated during pregnancy**.


- No adequate human pregnancy studies. Theoretical risk of fetal BCG infection.

- Defer vaccination until after delivery.

- Neonatal BCG (given at birth in endemic countries) is safe for the neonate — this does not apply to the mother.

**Breastfeeding: Likely safe but limited data.**

BCG vaccination of breastfeeding mothers is generally avoided (live vaccine precaution). However, neonatal BCG is routinely administered to breastfed infants at birth. If BCG vaccination of the mother is indicated, breastfeeding need not be discontinued.

**Pediatric use: Primary target population.**


- WHO recommends BCG at **birth** (or as soon as possible) in countries with high TB incidence.

- Dose: 0.05 mL intradermal (neonates), 0.1 mL intradermal (infants >1 month and children).

- Expected local reaction: papule at 2–3 weeks, ulceration, scar over 2–3 months — this is normal.

- Contraindicated in infants with known or suspected **immunodeficiency** (HIV-positive with symptomatic disease, SCID).

- HIV-exposed infants who are asymptomatic: WHO recommends BCG vaccination (benefit outweighs risk in high TB burden settings).

- Revaccination is **not recommended** by WHO (no evidence of additional benefit).

**Geriatric use: Not routinely recommended.**


- BCG is not recommended for adults or elderly individuals in most developed countries due to variable efficacy against pulmonary TB and potential for adverse reactions (BCG-osis in immunocompromised individuals).

- Strictly contraindicated in immunosuppressed elderly patients.

- Tuberculin skin test (TST) may be positive after prior BCG — use IGRA for TB screening.

## Side Effects

- Anaphylaxis (Very rare) — Serious
- Drowsiness (Uncommon)
- Excessive crying (Uncommon)
- Fatigue (Uncommon)
- Fever (Common)
- Generalized rash (Rare)
- Headache (Uncommon)
- Injection site induration (Very common)
- Injection site nodule (Very common)
- Injection site pain (Common)
- Injection site redness (Very common)
- Injection site swelling (Very common)
- Injection site warmth (Common)
- Irritability (Common)
- Loss of appetite (Uncommon)
- Lymphadenopathy (Common)
- Malaise (Uncommon)
- Night sweats (Rare)
- Pruritus (Rare)
- Syncope (Rare)
- Urticaria (Rare)

## Contraindications

- Active untreated tuberculosis (Absolute)
- Acute febrile illness (Precaution)
- Anaphylaxis after previous dose (Absolute)
- Allergy to vaccine component (Absolute)
- High-dose corticosteroids (Relative)
- HIV with CD4 count below 200 (Absolute)
- Moderate immunosuppression (Relative)
- Organ transplant recipient (Relative)
- Pregnancy (live vaccines) (Absolute)
- Recent immunoglobulin administration (Precaution)
- Severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID) (Absolute)
- Severe immunodeficiency (Absolute)

## Vaccination Schedule

| Dose | Brand | Days from previous | Age range |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Dose 1 | BCG Vaccine SSI | — | 0 months+ |
| Dose 1 | BCG Vaccine SSI | — | 0 months+ (max: 12 months) |
| Dose 1 | BCG Vaccine SSI | — | 1 years+ |

## FAQ

**How many doses of BCG (Tuberculosis) are needed?**

The BCG (Tuberculosis) vaccination schedule consists of 3 dose(s).

**What are the side effects of BCG (Tuberculosis)?**

Common side effects include: Anaphylaxis, Drowsiness, Excessive crying, Fatigue, Fever.

**Who should not get BCG (Tuberculosis)?**

Contraindications include: Active untreated tuberculosis, Acute febrile illness, Anaphylaxis after previous dose, Allergy to vaccine component, High-dose corticosteroids.

## Prevents

- [Tuberculosis](https://medova.health/en/knowledge/diseases/tuberculosis)

## Indications

- [Argentina](https://medova.health/en/knowledge/countries/argentina): Recommended
- [Algeria](https://medova.health/en/knowledge/countries/algeria): Recommended
- [Nicaragua](https://medova.health/en/knowledge/countries/nicaragua): Recommended
- [Russian Federation](https://medova.health/en/knowledge/countries/russian-federation): Recommended
- [South Africa](https://medova.health/en/knowledge/countries/south-africa): Recommended
- [Brazil](https://medova.health/en/knowledge/countries/brazil): Recommended
- [Iraq](https://medova.health/en/knowledge/countries/iraq): Recommended
- [El Salvador](https://medova.health/en/knowledge/countries/el-salvador): Recommended
- [Uzbekistan](https://medova.health/en/knowledge/countries/uzbekistan): Recommended
- [Ukraine](https://medova.health/en/knowledge/countries/ukraine): Recommended

## Sources & content verification

- Data sources: WHO Position Papers 2024 + CDC Pink Book 2024 + EMA SmPC
- [www.who.int](https://www.who.int/teams/immunization-vaccines-and-biologicals/policies/position-papers)

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The content on this page is for informational and educational purposes only. It does not constitute medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment recommendations. If you have health concerns, consult a qualified healthcare professional. Medova is not a medical service provider.

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