The new version of the BCG leaflet is available here for download. It is also available in the following languages
Arabic Simplified Chinese, French, Irish, Polis h, Portuguese, Russian, Romanian
What is the BCG vaccine?
What is Tuberculosis-T.B.?
How do people get TB?
Who are most at risk of catching TB?
What are the symptoms of TB?
How serious is TB?
How common is T.B.?
What is the treatment for T.B.?
What is in the BCG vaccine?
Is BCG Vaccine safe?
Where can I find out more?
If you have any queries or concerns about vaccines please contact your GP or local health office
What is BCG?
Back to Top
The BCG vaccine protects against Tuberculosis (T.B).
BCG vaccination is usually given to newborn babies, but can also be given to older children and adults who are considered to be at risk of developing TB.
BCG has contributed to the dramatic decline in TB over the past 40 years;
What is Tuberculosis-T.B.?
Back to Top
Tuberculosis (T.B.) is a disease caused by a bacterium called Mycobacterium tuberculosis. In Ireland TB usually affects the lungs but it can affect other parts of the body such as the glands, bones, joints , kidney and it can affect the brain causing meningitis (inflammation of the lining around the brain).
How do people get TB?
Back to Top
TB is usually spread by droplets in the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes. You need to have close and prolonged contact an infected person to catch T.B. such as sharing a house, in schools, close contact with a child minder, friend or co-worker.
Who are most at risk of catching TB?
Back to Top
The following people have a greater chance of becoming ill with TB, if exposed to it:
- Those in very close contact with infectious people
- Children
- Elderly people
- Diabetics
- People on steroids
- People on other drugs affecting the body’s immune system
- People who are HIV positive
- People in overcrowded, poor housing
- People with chronic poor health
What are the symptoms of TB?
Back to Top
Symptoms of TB can include any of the following:
- Fever and Night sweats
- Cough (generally lasting more than 2 weeks)
- Weight loss
- Blood in the sputum (phlegm) at any time
- Swollen glands
- Tiredness
- loss of appetite
How serious is TB?
Back to Top
TB is a serious illness. The most serious complications are
- Major bleeding from the lungs (Rare)
- Death (this occurs in 7% of cases, usually elderly people)
How common is T.B.?
Back to Top
The combination of better living conditions, antibiotics against TB, and BCG vaccine has dramatically reduced the number of cases of TB in Ireland.
What is the treatment for T.B.?
Back to Top
With effective treatment it is possible to make a full recovery from T.B. It is treated with tablets, which must be taken for about 6 months. Without treatment, many people used to die from TB. It is essential to take the treatment regularly and to complete the course as prescribed.
What is in the BCG vaccine?
Back to Top
The vaccine contains a weakened (“attenuated”) form of a bacteria related to the one that causes tuberculosis. This stimulates the immune system to protect against tuberculosis.
Is BCG Vaccine safe?
Back to Top
Yes BCG vaccine is safe. Of the people who are immunised:
- Most people will get a blister and scarring on the arm where the BCG injection was given
- 1 in 100 may get small swollen glands under the arm
- Up to 1 in 1000 may get an infection, which responds to treatment.
Where can I find out more?
Back to Top
You can ask for further information regarding immunisation from your G.P., Public Health Nurse or local HSE clinic
See the National Immunisation Guidelines of Ireland 2002, Chapter 16 for more detailed information on Tuberculosis at http://www.ndsc.ie
See the Health Protection Surveillance Centre web site for more detailed information on BCG(Available on http://www.ndsc.ie
See the Health Protection Surveillance Centre web site for more detailed information on Tuberculosis (Available on http://www.ndsc.ie |
