What is BCG?
BCG stands for Bacillus Calmette Guerin, and BCG vaccine is given to provide your child protection against the life-threatening tuberculosis.
Vaccine Schedule
The BCG vaccine can be given soon after the birth. If you miss on vaccinating your baby immediately after birth, make sure it's done before the baby turns a year old.
Why Your Child Needs This Vaccine?
The BCG vaccine protects your child from getting infected with tuberculosis, which in India is said to be the most life threatening disease after HIV.
Risk Associated with the Vaccine
The dose of BCG vaccine is typically given on left upper arm only. As soon as the vaccine is given, there will be a small swelling near the place which was injected. This stays for 6-8 hours and then disappears. The swelling will reappear after 6-8 weeks and grow into a lump, which will discharge some fluid. It gets healed by forming a permanent scar at that injected place. This typically is the sign that BCG vaccine was injected successfully.
When not to give the vaccine
You should avoid or delay the immunization if:
1. Your baby has fever or cough.
2. Your baby is found infected with TB
Child Care Post Vaccination
Avoid pressing or rubbing the injected site as it shouldn't be fomented. You don't need to apply anything on the scar as it will go away on its own. There can also be some mild fever but no added complications.
Can BCG be given with other vaccines?
Yes, there is no harm in giving it with other vaccines. In fact, BCG dose is given along with a zero dose of OPV and the 1st Dose of Hepatitis B at birth.
When to seek medical help
Though appearing of the scar isn't the sole guarantee of the vaccine's success, but it's the easiest way of determining its success. If the scar doesn't appear in 3-6 months post the dose, the baby must be made to undergo the Mantoux test. If the result is negative, the vaccine will have to be repeated.