Service
BCG Vaccination
The BCG vaccine protects against tuberculosis and is most important for protecting babies and young children against severe TB. Often needed for travel, healthcare work or higher personal risk.
A single dose of the BCG vaccine gives long-term protection and is given as an injection into the upper part of the left arm. By convention the left arm is used so the resulting scar can be located easily in future.
Your appointment includes a clinical assessment to confirm the vaccine is suitable, the vaccination itself, and clear aftercare advice.
Important for infants
For babies, the vaccine is normally given only after the newborn blood spot screening result is available, because it is not given to babies who may have a weakened immune system. Please bring the personal child health record (red book) and the newborn screening result to the appointment.
Who should not have it
The BCG is a live vaccine and is not suitable for everyone. It is not given during pregnancy, to anyone who has already had it, to anyone who has or has had TB, or to people with a weakened immune system. A clinician will check this with you. If you have a current high temperature or skin infection, the appointment is deferred until you have recovered.