BCG vaccine

BCG vaccine
Microscopic image of the Calmette–Guérin bacillus, Ziehl–Neelsen stain, magnification: 1,000nn
Vaccine description
TargetMycobacterium tuberculosis
Vaccine typeAttenuated
Clinical data
Trade namesBCG Vaccine, BCG Vaccine AJV
AHFS/Drugs.comProfessional Drug Facts
MedlinePlusa682809
License data
Routes of
administration		Percutaneous, intravesical, intradermal
ATC code
Legal status
Legal status
Identifiers
DrugBank
ChemSpider
  • none
UNII
KEGG

The Bacillus Calmette–Guérin (BCG) vaccine is a vaccine primarily used against tuberculosis (TB).[9] It is named after its inventors Albert Calmette and Camille Guérin.[10][11] In countries where tuberculosis or leprosy is common, one dose is recommended in healthy babies as soon after birth as possible.[9] In areas where tuberculosis is not common, only children at high risk are typically immunized, while suspected cases of tuberculosis are individually tested for and treated.[9] Adults who do not have tuberculosis and have not been previously immunized, but are frequently exposed, may be immunized, as well.[9] BCG also has some effectiveness against Buruli ulcer infection and other nontuberculous mycobacterial infections.[9] Additionally, it is sometimes used as part of the treatment of bladder cancer.[12][13]

Rates of protection against tuberculosis infection vary widely and protection lasts up to 20 years.[9] Among children, it prevents about 20% from getting infected and among those who do get infected, it protects half from developing disease.[14] The vaccine is given by injection into the skin.[9] No evidence shows that additional doses are beneficial.[9]

Serious side effects are rare. Often, redness, swelling, and mild pain occur at the site of injection.[9] A small ulcer may also form with some scarring after healing.[9] Side effects are more common and potentially more severe in those with immunosuppression.[9] Although no harmful effects on the fetus have been observed, there is insufficient evidence about the safety of BCG vaccination during pregnancy and therefore the vaccine is not recommended for use during pregnancy.[9] The vaccine was originally developed from Mycobacterium bovis, which is commonly found in cattle.[9] While it has been weakened, it is still live.[9]

The BCG vaccine was first used medically in 1921.[9] It is on the World Health Organization's List of Essential Medicines.[15] As of 2004, the vaccine is given to about 100 million children per year globally.[16] However, it is not commonly administered in the United States.[17][18]

  1. ^ "Summary for ARTG Entry:53569 BCG VACCINE Mycobacterium bovis (Mycobacterium bovis (Bacillus Calmette and Guerin (BCG) strain) (BCG) strain) 1.5mg powder for injection multidose vial with diluent vial". Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA). Archived from the original on 5 September 2024. Retrieved 31 July 2024.
  2. ^ "Regulatory Decision Summary - Verity-BCG". Health Canada. 23 October 2014. Archived from the original on 5 June 2022. Retrieved 5 June 2022.
  3. ^ "Verity-BCG Product information". Health Canada. 25 April 2012. Archived from the original on 5 September 2024. Retrieved 5 June 2022.
  4. ^ "BCG Vaccine AJV - Summary of Product Characteristics (SmPC)". (emc). Archived from the original on 10 August 2020. Retrieved 21 September 2020.
  5. ^ "BCG Vaccine- bacillus Calmette–Guerin substrain TICE live antigen injection, powder, lyophilized, for solution". DailyMed. 3 September 2020. Archived from the original on 5 September 2024. Retrieved 21 September 2020.
  6. ^ "BCG Vaccine". U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). 21 February 2018. Archived from the original on 24 February 2021. Retrieved 5 September 2024.
  7. ^ Cite error: The named reference Japan label was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  8. ^ Yamamoto S, Yamamoto T (November 2007). "Historical review of BCG vaccine in Japan". Japanese Journal of Infectious Diseases. 60 (6): 331–336. doi:10.7883/yoken.JJID.2007.331. PMID 18032829.
  9. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o World Health Organization (February 2018). "BCG vaccines: WHO position paper – February 2018". Weekly Epidemiological Record. 93 (8): 73–96. hdl:10665/260307. PMID 29474026.
  10. ^ Hawgood BJ (August 2007). "Albert Calmette (1863-1933) and Camille Guérin (1872-1961): the C and G of BCG vaccine". Journal of Medical Biography. 15 (3): 139–146. doi:10.1258/j.jmb.2007.06-15. PMID 17641786. S2CID 41880560.
  11. ^ Luca S, Mihaescu T (March 2013). "History of BCG Vaccine". Maedica. 8 (1): 53–58. PMC 3749764. PMID 24023600.
  12. ^ Fuge O, Vasdev N, Allchorne P, Green JS (May 2015). "Immunotherapy for bladder cancer". Research and Reports in Urology. 7: 65–79. doi:10.2147/RRU.S63447. PMC 4427258. PMID 26000263.
  13. ^ Houghton BB, Chalasani V, Hayne D, Grimison P, Brown CS, Patel MI, et al. (May 2013). "Intravesical chemotherapy plus bacille Calmette-Guérin in non-muscle invasive bladder cancer: a systematic review with meta-analysis". BJU International. 111 (6): 977–983. doi:10.1111/j.1464-410X.2012.11390.x. PMID 23253618. S2CID 24961108.
  14. ^ Cite error: The named reference pmid25097193 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  15. ^ World Health Organization (2023). The selection and use of essential medicines 2023: web annex A: World Health Organization model list of essential medicines: 23rd list (2023). Geneva: World Health Organization. hdl:10665/371090. WHO/MHP/HPS/EML/2023.02.
  16. ^ "BCG Vaccine: WHO position paper". Weekly Epidemiological Record. 4 (79): 27–38. January 2004. hdl:10665/232372.
  17. ^ Cite error: The named reference pmid 8602127 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  18. ^ Vaudry W (March 2003). ""To BCG or not to BCG, that is the question!". The challenge of BCG vaccination: Why can't we get it right?". Paediatrics & Child Health. 8 (3): 141–144. doi:10.1093/pch/8.3.141. PMC 2792660. PMID 20020010.