Open AccessA Short History of the BCG Vaccine
Author(s) -
Georgiana Bianca Constantin,
Ionuţ Căluian
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
asian journal of medicine and health
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
ISSN - 2456-8414
DOI - 10.9734/ajmah/2021/v19i1130410
Subject(s) - medicine , vaccination , immunogenicity , bcg vaccine , tuberculin , tuberculosis , immunology , attenuated vaccine , mycobacterium bovis , virology , mycobacterium tuberculosis , biology , immune system , pathology , biochemistry , virulence , gene
BCG vaccine continues to be controversial, live attenuated BCG is still the only vaccine in use which is able to prevent TB in humans. It is still difficult to determine which strain should be used and further detailed analysis of the genomics and immunogenicity of BCG sub-strains may provide an answer to this important question. The only vaccine available is the BCG (Bacille Calmette-Guerin), that has been used for about 100 years, with remarkable results. The majority of the world followed the lead of Europe and the WHO and introduced routine BCG vaccination according to various schedules. According to the Methodological Guide for the Implementation of the National Program for the Prevention, Surveillance and Control of Tuberculosis, BCG vaccination is indicated for all newborns, at the age of 2-7 days (if there are no contraindications), before discharge from maternity and without preliminary tuberculin test.