TB Elimination: BCG Vaccine

This information sheet discusses the bacille Calmette-Guerin (BCG) vaccine for TB disease, which is used in many countries to prevent childhood tuberculous meningitis and miliary disease. It explains why the BCG is not generally recommended for use in the United States; suggests that the BCG should be considered under specific circumstances; and provides recommendations for when the BCG should be used with children and health care workers and contraindications when it should not be used, such as for immunosuppressed persons and pregnant women. It also discusses problems involved when testing for TB and treating latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) in BCG vaccinated persons.