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Bacille Calmette-Guérin (BCG)

Bacille Calmette-Guérin (BCG) - What is it for

BCG, or Bacille Calmette-Guérin, is a vaccine given to prevent tuberculosis (TB), especially in infants and children. It reduces the risk of developing all forms of TB by 50% and deadly forms of TB by up to 80%. The risk of long-term disability and death is high in children who are infected with TB.

BCG is given to all children around the world where TB is common. Although there has been a large reduction in TB rates in Singapore since the 1950s, it is still common. Globally, a third of the world’s population is estimated to be infected with TB.

The BCG vaccine contains a weakened form of live bacteria related to TB. The administration of the vaccine makes the body’s immune system produce antibodies to fight TB. The administration is in levels that do not cause the disease.

Bacille Calmette-Guérin (BCG) - Symptoms

Bacille Calmette-Guérin (BCG) - How to prevent?

Bacille Calmette-Guérin (BCG) - Causes and Risk Factors

Bacille Calmette-Guérin (BCG) - Diagnosis

Bacille Calmette-Guérin (BCG) - Treatments

When and what happens when BCG is given?

  • In Singapore, BCG is usually given to babies soon after birth.
  • A weal (or raised red mark on the skin) appears after the injection and disappears within half an hour.
  • After two to three weeks, a small red, firm nodule appears and slowly increases in size for about a week. It becomes filled with pus-like material, before bursting and forming a shallow ulcer. This may not even be noticeable to parents.
For most children, the ulcer heals on its own. There is NO NEED to apply elastoplast, ointment or powder on it. Sterile gauze can be applied if there is a lot of pus discharge. The gauze should be light and allow fluids to pass through easily. By the 12th week, healing is usually complete and a small permanent scar may be left as evidence of BCG vaccination.

Bacille Calmette-Guérin (BCG) - Preparing for surgery

Bacille Calmette-Guérin (BCG) - Post-surgery care

  • Updated on 2018-05-16T16:00:00Z

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