BCG vaccine is given to prevent TB. BCG stands for Bacilli Calmette Guerin. TB is caused by Mycobacteria, it damages them by going into the lungs through the air and also affects other parts of the body like bones, brain, kidneys can also be affected by it.
Why is it important to get the BCG vaccine?
BCG vaccine to prevent TB and prevent this disease from becoming more complicated in the body.
During the Corona period, it has been seen that in countries where BCG vaccine has been regularly administered, the Covid virus caused less damage to the lungs and the death ratio in such countries was also found to be very less.
The number of people who died from corona in those countries where BCG vaccine is not administered was very high.
When is the BCG vaccine administered?
The schedule followed in India according to Universal Immunization Program, this vaccine is given as soon as the child is born.
As soon as the child is born and if he is completely healthy, then he should be vaccinated with BCG.
How long can it be given if the BCG vaccine is missed at birth?
If a child missed the BCG vaccine at the time of birth for some reason, then this vaccine can be given till the age of 5 years.
There are some special rules for this
If your child is less than one year old, then your child can be vaccinated directly with BCG, which means that there is no need to do any kind of test for this, just you can get this vaccine after consulting your doctor.
If your child is more than a year old, then you will have to get a TB test done.
This test is called Mantoux or PPD.
A circle is made at the place where this solution is put in the skin, so that remember where the solution was inserted.
It is seen after three days of insertion into the skin or after 72 hours, if the color of the skin changes such as if it becomes blue, then it is called test positive, it means that the TB bacteria in the child’s body.
If there is no change in the color of the skin, then this test is called negative.
You can get your child vaccinated against BCG when the test is negative, but it is called indirect BCG because it is administered after the Mantoux test.
Side Effects After Getting BCG Vaccine
BCG vaccine is administrated to the arm of the child and it is given into the skin.
There is no such special side effect after getting the vaccine.
After a couple of months, it is natural shown pimple to come out of the place where the vaccine was given and there is nothing to worry about it, it gets cured on its own in a few days.
If there is a lump or pus coming out too much at that place, then definitely consult your doctor.
BCG Vaccine Dosage
This 0.05ml Intradermal is administrated a baby up to one month old
If the child is above one month then dose should be 0.1ml Intradermal
BCG vaccine is kept in the refrigerator at a temperature of 2 to 8 degrees.
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