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Complications associated with the bacille Calmette-Guérin vaccination in Ireland

T Bolger1, M O'Connell, A Menon

  • 1Our Lady's Hospital for Sick Children, Dublin, Eire. turloughbolger@yahoo.co.uk

Archives of Disease in Childhood
|March 21, 2006
PubMed

Insights

A new Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) vaccine strain in Ireland led to a rise in localized complications, including abscesses and adenitis, in infants. This suggests a need to re-evaluate its suitability for national immunization programs.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Infectious Diseases
  • Vaccine Safety Surveillance
  • Immunology

Background:

  • BCG vaccination is standard for Irish newborns.
  • A new BCG vaccine strain was introduced in Ireland.
  • An increase in localized post-vaccination complications was observed.

Observation:

  • A population surveillance study analyzed complications from August 2002 to July 2004.
  • Infants with inoculation site abscesses or adenopathy were included.
  • Data were gathered via infectious disease records and laboratory reports.

Findings:

  • Fifty-eight infants presented with complications, primarily suppurative adenitis or inoculation site abscesses.
  • The complication rate was estimated at 1 in 931 vaccinees.
  • Twenty-six infants required surgical intervention.

Implications:

  • Hospitals play a key role in sentinel surveillance for adverse events.
  • A responsive adverse event reporting system is crucial.
  • The suitability of this BCG strain for national immunization warrants serious consideration given the observed complications.
Abstract

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