BCG vaccine
Bacillus Calmette-Guérin · IAP / NIS
| When to give | At birth (or as early as possible up to 1 year of age) |
|---|---|
| Dose | 0.05 mL until 1 month of age; 0.1 mL thereafter. Each 1 mL of reconstituted vaccine contains 2×10⁶–8×10⁶ CFU of viable mycobacteria (freeze-dried, reconstituted with normal saline). |
| Route | Intradermal |
| Site | Left upper arm (over deltoid insertion) |
| Schedule / interval | Single dose. No booster recommended. |
Catch-up schedule
Can be given up to 5 years of age. Beyond infancy a pre-BCG tuberculin (Mantoux) test is advised; vaccinate only if negative.
Adverse events (AEFI)
Expected: papule → ulcer → scar over 2–3 months. Axillary lymphadenitis. Rare: suppurative adenitis, BCG abscess, disseminated BCG (immunocompromised).
Brands available in India
BCG-LAV, Tubervac (SII)
Special considerations
Contraindicated in defects of cell-mediated immunity / symptomatic HIV. A 5 mm wheal confirms correct intradermal technique. Absence of scar does not mandate re-vaccination. Store in freezer / 2–8°C, protect from light.
See the full IAP-ACVIP 2025 immunisation schedule →
Sources
- IAP-ACVIP Recommended Immunization Schedule 2025 (Indian Pediatrics 2026)
- IAP Purple Book 2025, 5th edition