Contents:
- Medical Video: BCG VACCINE - indications and contraindications
- Get to know BCG immunization
- Is it true that boils appear after BCG immunization?
- What if you don't get boils after immunization? Does it mean immunization failed?
Medical Video: BCG VACCINE - indications and contraindications
In accordance with the recommendations of the World Health Organization or WHO, BCG immunization to prevent tuberculosis should be given to the right upper arm. Well, usually after getting this vaccine, a lump will appear like a boil on an arm that has been injected. Is this boil dangerous or normal? Why are there children who don't appear boils after being vaccinated with BCG? Check out the answer below.
Get to know BCG immunization
BCG is immunization given to infants aged at least one month. This immunization has an extension Bacille Calmette-Guerin and made from bacteria Mycobacterium bovis or M. bovis. The injected bacteria are live attenuated bacteria. Therefore, you do not need to worry because this vaccine has been clinically tested and proven safe.
Until now, BCG immunization is still one of the effective deterrents in dealing with tuberculosis (TB or TB). This immunization works by making your immune system more sensitive to the presence of bacteria that causes TB in the body. That way, the immune system can attack the bacteria before it infects.
Is it true that boils appear after BCG immunization?
After being given, the BCG vaccine will give rise to marks in the form of ulcers or festering wounds. But parents need not worry, because this is a natural response to the child's immune system against the given vaccine. So for parents, it is hoped that they will not be surprised if an immunized baby will experience a wound or boil on his right upper arm.
The reaction appears boils or scar can be diverse, ranging from two to 12 weeks after immunization. However, generally it is between four and six weeks. The size also varies, starting from seven millimeters (mm).
Children do not need to be taken to the doctor if boils appear after BCG immunization. Because the boil can heal itself for a long time. However, you do need to bring your child to the doctor if there is severe swelling, the child has a high fever, or excessive pus appears from injection boils. These things can indicate infection after immunization.
What if you don't get boils after immunization? Does it mean immunization failed?
Maybe parents will ask questions. This question is quite often asked, ie there are no ulcers or any lumps after being vaccinated with BCG, does vaccination fail? The answer is no. According to the Indonesian Pediatrician Association (IDAI), boils or lumps that do not appear do not mean immunization in the child fails.
This can happen and needs to be known and remembered by parents that giving immunization does not see the presence or absence of wounds or ulcers, but has been injected or not. So this vaccination does not need to be repeated. Why so? This is because the immune system of each child is different. Boils are a common response, but cannot be used as a benchmark for the success of immunization.
