A retrospective audit of neonatal BCG vaccination in Grampian, Scotland

Area of Science:

• Immunology
• Public Health
• Epidemiology

Background:

• Tuberculosis (TB) remains a global health concern, necessitating effective prevention strategies.
• The Bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) vaccine is crucial for protecting infants against TB.
• Scotland employs a risk-based BCG vaccination program for infants with familial ties to high-incidence TB regions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the uptake of the BCG vaccine among eligible infants in Grampian, Scotland.
• To assess the effectiveness of the risk-based BCG vaccination strategy against tuberculosis.
• To compare current BCG vaccination rates with national targets and historical data.

Main Methods:

• A retrospective review of BCG vaccination records for infants born in Grampian between January 2019 and December 2021.
• Utilized three electronic databases: BadgerNet, Scottish Immunisation Recall System, and TrakCare.
• Data analysis was performed using Microsoft Excel 2013.

Main Results:

• Out of 16,078 live births, 2060 infants met the criteria for BCG vaccination.
• BCG uptake was 93% in 2019, 89% in 2020 (during the COVID-19 pandemic), and 93% in 2021.
• Uptake rates surpassed the 85% key performance indicator target and showed improvement from previous years (86% in 2012, 90% in 2013).

Conclusions:

• The risk-based BCG vaccination program in Grampian is achieving high uptake rates, exceeding national targets.
• Maintaining and potentially enhancing electronic systems and public awareness can further improve BCG vaccination coverage.
• The study underscores the successful implementation of targeted infant vaccination for tuberculosis prevention.