Revised BCG vaccination guidelines for infants at risk for HIV infection

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Revised BCG vaccination guidelines for infants at risk for HIV infection

Following a review of relevant data, the Global Advisory Committee on Vaccine

Safety (GACVS) has revised its previous recommendations concerning bacille

Calmette1 Guerin (BCG) vaccination of children infected with the human

immunodeficiency virus (HIV).

WHO had previously recommended that in countries with a high burden of

tuberculosis (TB), a single dose of BCG vaccine should be given to all healthy

infants as soon as possible after birth, unless the child presented with

symptomatic HIV infection.

However, recent evidence shows that children who were HIV-infected when

vaccinated with BCG at birth, and who later developed AIDS, were at increased

risk of developing disseminated BCG disease. Among these children, the benefits

of potentially preventing severe TB are outweighed by the risks associated with

the use of BCG vaccine.

GACVS therefore advised WHO to change its recommendation such that children who

are known to be HIV-infected, even if asymptomatic, should no longer be

immunized with BCG vaccine.

Dr Diwakar Tejaswi

MBBS(Gold Medalist); MCH; FCCP; Ph.D

Consultant Physician and Medical Director

RATNEI, IHO

Medical Advisor- Public Awareness for Healthful Approach for Living (PAHAL)

Harinarayan Complex, Exhibition Road, Patna 800001, India

Telefax: +91-612-2206964; Mobile: +91-9835078298/ 9431829397; Res:

+91-612-2351771

e-mail: <diwakartejaswi@...>