BCG Vaccine Injection

About BCG Vaccine Injection

BCG Vaccine Injection Uses

• Protects newborns against severe forms of tuberculosis
• Prevents TB meningitis in infants
• Prevents disseminated (miliary) TB in young children
• Given as part of Pakistan's routine infant immunization schedule

BCG Vaccine Injection Benefits

• Offers strong protection against life-threatening childhood TB
• Given as a single dose soon after birth
• Free of cost under Pakistan's national immunization program
• Long-standing safety record used worldwide for decades

What Experts Say

Tuberculosis remains a major public health concern in Pakistan, with the country ranking among the higher burden countries globally. The BCG vaccine contains a weakened, live strain of bacteria related to tuberculosis, which trains the immune system to recognize and fight the real infection later.

Health authorities recommend giving this vaccine to every newborn as early as possible, ideally within the first few days after birth, as part of the Expanded Program on Immunization. A single injection just under the skin on the upper arm is usually enough for lifelong partial protection.

A small red bump or blister at the injection site is normal and can take weeks to heal, sometimes leaving a small scar. Parents should contact a doctor if the site develops a large abscess, does not heal, or if the child develops persistent fever or swollen lymph nodes.

Drug Class

• Live Attenuated Vaccine
• Immunizing Biological Agent

BCG Vaccine Injection formula

• BCG Vaccine (Live Attenuated Bacillus Calmette Guerin)

Available forms

• Injection

How to use BCG Vaccine Injection?

• Given as a single dose, ideally at birth or within the first few weeks of life
• Administered as an intradermal (under the skin) injection in the upper arm
• Only given by a trained healthcare professional at a hospital or vaccination center
• Not repeated after the initial dose in a healthy child

Drug Interactions

• Immunosuppressive drugs: Increase the risk of disseminated infection from the live vaccine strain
• Other live vaccines: Should be given on the same day or spaced weeks apart on medical advice
• Corticosteroids: High-dose or long-term use may reduce the vaccine's effectiveness

Risks and warnings

• Avoid in infants with confirmed HIV infection or severe immune deficiency
• Delay in premature or very low birth weight babies until they are stable
• Avoid if the child has a high fever or acute illness at the time of vaccination
• Do not give to children who have already had a confirmed TB infection

BCG Vaccine Injection Side Effects

• Redness and swelling at the injection site
• Small ulcer or blister that heals slowly
• Mild fever
• Swollen lymph nodes near the injection site
• Rare abscess formation requiring medical review

Storage Conditions

• Store and transport at 2°C to 8°C under strict cold chain conditions
• Protect from light at all times
• Use reconstituted vaccine within the time specified by the manufacturer
• Never freeze the diluent
• Discard any unused reconstituted vaccine as per health facility protocol