Thoughts on BCG in 12 month old??

[Lochie]

I have my LO booked in for BCG tomorrow morning, he will turn 1 on Monday.

I'm just wondering what people's thoughts and experiences are on the BCG in babies? It seems so young to have it done, is TB really a threat? I know not all boroughs offer it, therefore am wondering how important it is? (Am aware though its offered in inner London boroughs due to demographics and high density population etc)

I remember having mine done at 12 years old and it REALLY hurt and I had an awful time with the scab. Just am having cold feet about inflicting that upon him when I can't explain what it is!

[Ko]

i asked my gp and she said it wouldn't be offered again when they are older (we used to have it at 12/13 yrs). gp said it was done earlier now. yes it is a horrible injection, so take sweets and treats with you!

to be honest, my boy (about 5 months then) stopped crying as soon as he was out of the room and away from the nurse. he wasn't unwell after the injection, but as soon as i got home i gave him a dose of calpol just in case it was sore!!

good luck with it xxx

[womanofdulwich]

dont they do some kind of test first to see if they need it ( beause of existignn immunities?)

it seems like too much too soon to me.

[Lochie]

ok thanks Ko. I want to just go for it and get it out of the way its just he has his MMR the week after and feel I am really barraging him with jabs. Just curious as well as I had to ask my HV to request the BCG, its not like they actively get you to have it like the MMR, so made me wonder if it was really necessary.

I'll take a warm bottle of milk with me and some blueberries (current fave treat) x

[The Nappy Lady]

There was a thread about this a while ago Lochie, you might find it if you do a search.

I had both mine done under the age of 1 and neither seemed bothered by it at all afterwards, other than a quick cry immediately after having the jab.

I think having it done when older is much worse, sore arm, more likely to knock it etc. It isn't essential, but personally I'd go for it.

Good luck.

[Ko]

we got a letter about it, so i think you should be contacted about it, but as with all these things sometimes they forget!

they also seem to ring people up on the day if they have spaces, which is unfair as doesn't give you much time to decide, so if they do that to anyone you should just say its not enough notice for you.

[gwod]

Here is the link to the old thread about BCG

http://www.eastdulwichforum.co.uk/forum/read.php?29,459569,459670#msg-459670

[Lochie]

thanks gwod i'll have a look through during my lunch break, its quite lengthy so obviously a talking point!

[canadianlisa]

My little girl had hers done when she was tiny as I was sure I wanted it done due to my work and possible exposure to TB. I thought actually it was the easiest of all the injenctions. I think they told me that any after effects are very uncommon.

[Saffron]

BCG is not a universal immunization, eg not routinely given elsewhere like the States. It's also a controversial vaccine because of low efficacy, not because of intrinsic problems with the immunization against TB.

The site of BCG injection can be prone to local infection. Despite GPs insistence to leave the site uncovered, advice from a dermatologist was to use blister plasters. These keep out bacteria and help protect the wound from abrasion. The advice to keep wounds uncovered is really a holdover from Victorian times when bandages themselves were not sterile and could cause infection.

If suspect your little one's BCG has become infected, you may need to see a specialist. Typical oral antibiotics may not clear the infection due to the nature of the scar tissue that forms with the BCG.

If you're not in a high-risk group, the BCG is not really necessary. But if it would put your mind at ease to have your Little One immunised, then by all means have it done on the NHS before the offer expires. As to having the MMR so soon afterwards, I would personally wait a little while (it does seem like a lot at once, poor little nippers!). However, I don't know of any hard evidence that having then consecutively is harmful.

[Lochie]

Just had BCG done, it was fine, little whimper but no big tears. Had it done at Townley Road which was virtually empty and we were seen straight away, so no waiting.

Saffron - yes you are right re: MMR, they said he can't have it for the next 4 weeks and when he does have it he'll have to have it in leg not arm.

Thanks for all the advice, am glad its done. Not sure i'll be saying that when his arm is oozing pus!!! ;-) But for now he is happily sleeping in his cot with his teddy so no major trauma thank goodness

x

[prdarling]

Hope your son gets through it OK. My first at 6 months, had and has barely a scratch but the second who had it at 8 months had a raised angry pus-oozing red scab for about 6 months, maybe more. He now has a lilac coloured crater in his arm. The two experiences couldn't have been more different. Whatever happens though, it will pass x