Neonatal BCG: a time for change

Arch Dis Child Educ Pract Ed. 2024 Jan 23;109(1):19-24. doi: 10.1136/archdischild-2021-323239.

Abstract

The BCG vaccination programme in the UK is risk based and has usually been given to eligible babies soon after birth. On advice from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation, NHS England and Improvement recently revised the timing of this vaccination to 28 days after birth or soon thereafter. In this article, we highlight the change in timing of vaccination, the rationale and barriers to BCG uptake that this change may pose.

Keywords: allergy and immunology; communicable diseases; infectious disease medicine; neonatology; paediatrics.

MeSH terms

  • BCG Vaccine
  • England
  • Humans
  • Immunization Programs
  • Infant
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Tuberculosis*
  • Vaccination

Substances

  • BCG Vaccine