What is the BCG vaccine and why doesn’t everyone have it?

Bacillus Calmette‐Guérin (BCG) vaccine is the only vaccine available for the prevention of tuberculosis (TB). This vaccine is generally administered to children at birth in countries with high incidence of TB. However, in low incidence regions, only children at high risk are typically immunized, whereas adults are generally not immunized. However, adults (up to the age of 35) who are frequently exposed to drug-resistant TB may also be given BCG vaccine.

What is BCG vaccine?

BCG vaccine - or Bacillus Calmette-Guerin to give its full name - is a jab given to prevent people from catching tuberculosis (TB).

It is often given to children between the ages of 10 and 14, but babies and those under the age of 35 can also receive one if they are most at risk.

For young children, it is recommended they receive the injection if they are in areas where the risk of TB is higher, or if they have a parent or grandparent born in a country where the rate is considered high.

Evidence has shown that the BCG vaccine does not work for those over 35.

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Why didn't everyone in the UK have BCG vaccine?

BCG vaccinations took place from 1953, with children between the ages of 10 and 14 receiving one.

But this was stopped in July 2005 as it was no longer cost effective for the number of cases that rose.

In 1953, 94 children were immunised to prevent a case of TB, where as in 1988, 12,000 children would be vaccinated to prevent a single case.

The injection is still available on the NHS for those most at risk - but no longer as a regular jab for all children.

According to drug type, the immune BCG segment accounted for the highest share in 2017 and is also the fastest growing segment growing at a CAGR of 4.9% during the BCG vaccines sales market forecast period. The factors contributing toward the growth of this segment include the role of BCG in effectively helping TB prevention and as of now there is no substitute vaccine for immune BCG.

The major companies profiled in this report include AJ Vaccines, China National Pharmaceutical Group Corporation (Sinopharm), Greensignal Bio Pharma Limited, Intervax Ltd, Japan BCG Laboratory, Merck & Company Inc, Sanofi S.A., Serum Institute of India Pvt. Ltd., and Statens Serum Institute.

Source: thesun.co.uk