Can my son get the BCG vaccine at the age of five? (Children’s health query)

Our expert Dr ZInal Unadkat answers a query on BCG vaccine.

By: Dr Zinal Unadkat | | Updated: March 3, 2014 7:14 pm

My son was born in USA in July, 2008. He was not given a BCG vaccine at the time of birth. He came to India in January, 2012 and it’s been 20 months since he has been here. He will continue to stay here in the future. He is 5 years and 2 months old now. I have the following questions. Can he be given the BCG Vaccine now? Is there a need to do any tests before administering the vaccine? He was given the Polio vaccines on August 28, 2013. Do I need to give gap before the BCG after the polio vaccines? He is due for his MMR and Varicella vaccines in some time, how long should I wait after the BCG vaccine to give him the other shots? Also, he us currently using an aqueous nasal spray for his adenoids, can the BCG vaccine be given while using this nasal spray? Also Read - Here’s how Indian states are gearing up for mass vaccination against COVID-19

Answered by our expert Dr Zinal Unadkat Also Read - There should be 21 days gap between 2 doses of Covid-19 vaccine: Experts

Since your son is five years now, you can give him the BCG (Bacillus Calmette–Guérin) vaccine. But before he is administered the vaccine, he should undergo the mantoux test. This is a simple skin test where the doctor will inject a small amount of fluid containing the purified protein derivatives of the tuberculosis bacteria into the top layer of the skin and see if there is any reaction in the area. This test is done to see if your son has the anti tuberculosis antibodies present. If the test is positive, it means that your son has been exposed to the tuberculosis bacterium and he does not need the vaccine. Your doctor will need to further check for the extent of exposure and if he needs treatment for tuberculosis. Don’t get alarmed, it is easily resolvable at this stage. If the test results are negative your son should get the BCG vaccine. Also Read - Importance of child vaccination: Keeping up with easy to go immunization schedule

You can give the BCG vaccine in succession with the polio vaccine. It will not cause any harm to him. As for the MMR vaccine, you should ideally wait for a period of one month (4 weeks) after the BCG vaccine to administer it.

The nasal spray that your son is using will most likely not react with the vaccine but it is always better to discuss the possibility with your doctor.

Finally make sure that if your son does take the BCG vaccine, he must not be administered any other injection on the same arm for at least three months thereafter.

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Published : September 20, 2013 10:58 am | Updated:March 3, 2014 7:14 pm