𝑩𝑪𝑮 𝒗𝒂𝒄𝒄𝒊𝒏𝒆𝒔

BCG vaccines

What is BCG and what is it for?
BCG is a vaccine which helps to protect your body from the bacterial infection called tuberculosis (TB).
It is a serious infection as it can affect the lungs as well as other parts of the body such as the brain, bones, joints, and the kidneys.

How does the vaccine work?
The vaccine consists of an attenuated (weakened) version of the tuberculosis bacteria. As the bacteria in the virus is weakened, it will stimulate the body’s immune response and causes it protect the body against the infection.
This results in the build-up of memory cells in the body’s immune system to help protect against future infections.
However, the vaccine is not as effective in preventing the bacteria infection that affects the lungs in adults.

Are there any side effects to the vaccine?
As with any other vaccines, the BCG vaccine can cause side effects and they are usually mild effects.
Some side effects include:

Soreness or discharge at the site where the injection took place.
A high temperature
Headache
Swollen glands under the armpit of the arm where the site of injection had taken place at.

There are other more serious side effects that can occur, these include: bone inflammation and abscesses.
You can use paracetamol to ease off these unpleasant effects. Make sure to only use one to two pills at once and do not take any more for the following four hours.

Can I take the vaccine?
The BCG vaccine is not covered as part of the routine NHS vaccination schedule. The vaccine is only given under the NHS when an individua such as an adult or baby is thought to be more susceptible to being contaminated by the infection.
The vaccine is only given once in an entire lifetime to the individual.
There are three vaccines for BCG: one for babies, one for children that are aged 16 or under, and one for adults.