Drug Action
BCG (Bacillus Calmette-Guérin) is a live attenuated strain derived from Mycobacterium bovis which stimulates the development of immunity to M. tuberculosis.
PDF page 1404
Loading InternPractice…
Drug reference
BCG (Bacillus Calmette-Guérin) is a live attenuated strain derived from Mycobacterium bovis which stimulates the development of immunity to M. tuberculosis.
PDF page 1404
Immunisation against tuberculosis ▶BY INTRADERMAL INJECTION ▶Child 1–11 months: 0.05 mL, to be injected at insertion of deltoid muscle onto humerus (keloid formation more likely with sites higher on arm); tip of shoulder should be avoided ▶Child 1–17 years: 0.1 mL, to be injected at insertion of deltoid muscle onto humerus (keloid formation more likely with sites higher on arm); tip of shoulder should be avoided ▶Adult: 0.1 mL, to be injected at insertion of deltoid muscle onto humerus (keloid formation more likely with sites higher on arm); tip of shoulder should be avoided
PDF page 1404
Children less than 2 years of age in household contact with known or suspected case of active tuberculosis (in children). generalised septic skin conditions CONTRA-INDICATIONS, FURTHER INFORMATION Manufacturer advises using a lesion-free site to administer BCG vaccine to patients with eczema.
PDF page 1404
When BCG is given to infants, there is no need to delay routine primary immunisations. No further vaccination should be given in the arm used for BCG vaccination for at least 3 months because of the risk of regional lymphadenitis.
PDF page 1404
Apart from children under 6 years, any person being considered for BCG immunisation must first be given a skin test for hypersensitivity to tuberculoprotein (see tuberculin purified protein derivative p. 1361). A skin test is not necessary for a child under 6 years provided that the child has not stayed for longer than 3 months in a country with an incidence of tuberculosis greater than 40 per 100 000, the child has not had contact with a person with tuberculosis, and there is no family history of tuberculosis within the last 5 years.
PDF page 1404
Available from health organisations or direct from ImmForm www.immform.dh.gov.uk (SSI brand, multidose vial with diluent).
PDF page 1404
→Appendix 1: live vaccines
PDF page 1404
▶Uncommon Lymphadenitis suppurative ▶Rare or very rare Osteitis. osteomyelitis ▶Frequency not known Seizure. syncope
PDF page 1404
Intradermal injection technique Skin is stretched between thumb and forefinger and needle (size 25G or 26G) inserted (bevel upwards) for about 3 mm into superficial layers of dermis (almost parallel with surface). Needle should be short with short bevel (can usually be seen through epidermis during insertion). Tense raised blanched bleb showing tips of hair follicles is sign of correct injection; 7 mm bleb : 0.1 mL injection, 3 mm bleb : 0.05 mL injection; if considerable resistance not felt, needle too deep and should be removed and reinserted before giving more vaccine.
PDF page 1404
There can be variation in the licensing of different medicines containing the same drug. Powder for injection ▶Bacillus calmette-guérin vaccine (Non-proprietary) BCG Vaccine AJV powder for suspension for injection 1ml vials | 10 vial P s Powder and solvent for suspension for injection ▶InterVax BCG (InterVax Ltd) InterVax BCG vaccine powder and solvent for suspension for injection ampoules | 20 ampoule P s eiiii F 1379
PDF page 1405
0.05 mL, to be injected at insertion of
First-line fragment. Read the complete Indications and Dose section above.
PDF page 1404
0.1 mL, to be injected at insertion of
First-line fragment. Read the complete Indications and Dose section above.
PDF page 1404