[Method for immunization against tuberculosis using BCG-M vaccine--a preparation with a reduced antigenic load]. / Metod immunizatsii protiv tuberkuleza vaktsinoi BTsZh-M--preparat s umen'shennoi antigennoi nagruzkoi.

Experimental and clinical investigations on the possibility of reducing the antigenic content of the vaccine intended for the immunization of newborn infants have been made. Experiments on guinea pigs and white mice have demonstrated that the reduced dose of the preparation, twice as low by weight (0.025 mg), produces the same level of protection against tuberculosis as the full dose (0.5 mg). A new preparation with reduced antigenic content, vaccine BCG-M, has been developed, the technical specifications for this preparation have been approved, and its serial production has been allowed. Clinical tests have revealed that the use of the new preparation makes it possible to decrease the occurrence of unusual postvaccinal reactions and complications (lymphadenitis, ulceration) 3-fold and at the same time to increase the coverage of infants by primary immunization against tuberculosis by 7-8% annually. Since January 1986 this vaccine has been introduced into medical practice.