BCG vaccination of children upto 12 years age: does it protect against tuberculosis?

ABSTRACT

To review the set criteria for the use of BCG vaccination as part of National immunization programme. To determine the protective effect of BCG vaccination in the prevention of tuberculosis [children oge upto 12 years]. To find out the risk factors for the causation of tuberculosis among cases to that among controls. Matched case control study done on 600 individuals with case to control ratio 11, age, sex and socio-economic status taken as matching factors. National Institute of Child Health, Karachi. The study shows that BCG is not protecting our population [children age upto 12 years] from tuberculosis. Among vaccinated cases 67.14% were suffering from pulmonary tuberculosis, 10% from haematogenous form of tuberculosis and 22.86% from glandular tuberculosis while among non-vaccinated the proportion was 62.5, 20% and 1 7.5% respectively. Low educational status of mother and history of tuberculosis in the family are two risk factors for causation of tuberculosis. The reason for non-effectiveness of BCG vaccination in our population is perhaps because they are exposed to TB infection in their families at an earlier age before BCG vaccine can provide immunity