Even during pregnancy, expectant mothers are considering whether to vaccinate their newborn baby. Moreover, even within the same family opinions can radically differ. Some will campaign for vaccination according to the vaccination schedule, while others may become categorical opponents of any intervention in the process of natural growth and the formation of immunity. Of course, it is better to decide on this issue before the baby is born, because BCG for newborns, like the first vaccination against hepatitis, is done even in the hospital.
In some cases, if there are medical indications, of course, vaccination is delayed indefinitely. But most often, mother needs to answer the question of whether or not to vaccinate her baby during the first few days of life. In order to make the right and objective decision, it is important to understand why BCG is done for newborns, what could be the consequences of its presence and absence.
Inoculation with a vaccine that contains Calmette-Guerin Bacillus (BCG) is done to prevent tuberculosis. They make it from a living, but in an artificial environment of a specially weakened virus. Vaccination opponents often recall that it was impossible to refuse vaccination in the Soviet Union, but the incidence of tuberculosis was quite high. The main problem is that to track the duration of protection that BCG gives to newborn children and adults, it is not possible in any of the studies. Other evidence suggests that vaccine efficacy varies by region. In addition, some scientists claim that it shows good results in relation to brain tuberculosis and disseminated tuberculosis, with other diseases its effectiveness is doubtful.
Opponents of vaccinations often forget that BCG is given to newborns in order to protect babies from this disease in childhood and prevent severe forms from developing into more mature ones. In addition, in vaccinated people, tuberculosis is much less likely to go into an explicit, open form.
Like other vaccinations, all children react differently to BCG. Some will not have a trace after the injection, while others will have an abscess. The normal response to BCG in newborns should be as follows. Usually, after 2 months, a seal should appear at the site of the intradermal injection of the vaccine. It’s not scary if there appears a small bubble, which will burst over time. After a few months (usually takes about six months), a small scar should form on the site of vaccination - a scar. This sign remains with the person for life.
If a BCG vaccine was given to a newborn in the hospital, the reaction to it will appear no earlier than after 6 weeks. But in some cases, there are no manifestations in babies at the injection site, a scar does not form. In these cases, it is better to consult with a TB doctor and be sure to get revaccinated at the age indicated in the vaccination calendar - at 7 and 14 years. Of course, all parents must decide for themselves whether or not to vaccinate their child. After all, only they are responsible for his health.