BCG vaccine

Clinical description

Bacille Calmette-Guerin (BCG) is a live, attenuated vaccine and is routinely given to neonates in Malawi in the first week of life. BCG may be associated with injection-site abscesses, adenitis, and (very rarely) with disseminated disease. Infants with advanced HIV infection or AIDS are at risk of BCG-related complications and should therefore not be given BCG.

The presence of right-sided axillary or regional lymph nodes in a young child or infant indicates possible BCG disease and an immunocompromised state. This most commonly presents in the two years of life after BCG vaccination. It requires further evaluation. Refer to experienced clinicians if BCG disease is suspected.