How is BCG used in the UK?
Studies carried out by the British Medical Research Council in the 1950s showed that BCG, when given to teenage school children gave about 75% protection for 15 years.(1). Since 1953 it has been national policy to vaccinate all children aged 12-13. Thus in theory the entire population receives protection from early teenage years through to about the age of 30. The reason for choosing that age range was because in the 1950s cases rates were highest in young adults. The limited length of time for which BCG appeared to be protective would therefore be maximal at the age when most people suffered from the disease. Secondly the form of tuberculosis which pre-teenage children suffer from (primary) is not usually infectious, whereas the form suffered by adults is infectious. Providing protection during early adult life therefore reduced transmission. In addition to the national policy for all teenagers, BCG is given at birth to those at high risk of disease; those with a family history of tub
