What are the side-effects of the BCG vaccine?
All people who get BCG vaccine will get a red lump at the site of the injection after about a week. This becomes an ulcer (open sore) by about 2-3 weeks and then heals by about 8 weeks leaving a small scar. This scar is one way we can tell that you have had the vaccine. A few people (less than one in 20) will have side-effects: • A large skin ulcer at the site of the injection (the most common side effect – about three people in 100) • Infection of the lymph glands in the armpit (about one person in 100) • Keloid scarring (this is rare if the vaccine is given correctly) • Severe immediate allergic reactions are very rare.
