The BCG vaccine protects against Tuberculosis, commonly known as TB. TB is a serious infection which affects the lungs, but it can affect other parts of the body such as the bones, joints and kidneys. It can also cause meningitis.
Our Specialist BCG Nurse Prescriber runs a child BCG immunisation clinic on Friday mornings.
Due to manufacturing issues at the Statens Serum Institut (SSI) in Denmark, there are no licensed BCG vaccines in the UK. In 2016, the UK Government took the decision to start using an alternative BCG vaccine made by InterVax, a Canadian company. The vaccine has a good safety record and is thought to be as effective as the SSI BCG vaccine, and is now used across the NHS.
Although alternative unlicensed BCG vaccines are also being used in the UK, at Olive Health, London we only use the InterVax BCG vaccine in line with the NHS and Public Health protocols.
We receive a high number of GP referrals for the service and the clinic is therefore run by appointment only.
About BCG Vaccine
The BCG vaccine (which stands for Bacillus Calmette-Guérin vaccine) protects against Tuberculosis, commonly known as TB. TB is a serious infection which affects the lungs, but it can affect other parts of the body such as the bones, joints and kidneys. It can also cause meningitis.
Until 2017 (Public Health figures) there were up to 7000 cases of Tuberculosis each year in the UK.
The best way of TB prevention is the BCG vaccine for children. Adults unsure of their immunisation history who have migrated from high risk TB countries should have a TB (IGRA) blood test to test for latent TB, treatment for which is available on the NHS.
BCG is not given as part of the routine NHS childhood vaccination schedule unless a baby is thought to have an increased risk of coming into contact with TB. This includes all babies born in some areas of inner-city London where TB rates are higher than in the rest of the country.
Babies that are offered the BCG vaccination on the NHS are currently only offered one appointment due to the national shortage of the licensed product since 2016. Babies over the age of 1 year are not eligible to be vaccinated on the NHS and must seek a private BCG vaccine provider.
At Olive Health Ilford we offer the Private BCG Injection to babies, and children up to 5 years of age if not previously vaccinated.
