BCG vaccine,vial of 20 doses

General Description:
BCG vaccine, vial of 20 doses

It is a live freeze-dried vaccine made from an attenuated strain of Mycobacterium Bovis. It is used for the prevention of tuberculosis. It contains Sodium glutamate or Monosodium L-glutamate monohydrate (depending on the manufacturer) as a stabilizer.

For information on product specifications, refer to the WHO website on Prequalified Vaccines.


Administration:
For children under one year 0.05 ml and for others 0.1 ml of reconstituted vaccine is given intradermally.

Special syringes allow administration of the exact dose.
A sterile syringe and a sterile needle should be used for each injection. The skin should not be cleaned with antiseptic.
Special care is needed in opening the vial so that the vaccine is not blown out. Because of sensitivity to ultraviolet light, the vaccine must be protected from sunlight.

If not used immediately after reconstitution, the vaccine should be kept on ice to maintain its temperature between +2°C and +8°C.
Any opened container remaining at the end of a session (within six hours of reconstitution) must be discarded.

The diluent supplied is specially designed for use with this vaccine. Only this diluent may be used to reconstitute the vaccine. Do not use diluents from other types of vaccine or from other manufacturers.
Water for injection may NOT be used for this purpose. Using an incorrect diluent may result in damage to the vaccine and/or serious reactions to those receiving the vaccine. Diluent must not be frozen but must be cooled between +2°C and +8°C before reconstitution.
If the vaccine vial monitor is present, it is removed on reconstitution.

Skin testing with tuberculin is not generally carried out before giving BCG, but when performed, those who are found to be positive reactors need not be immunized.

Immunization Schedule:
BCG should be given routinely to all infants at risk of early exposure to the disease. For maximum protection, this vaccine should be given as soon after birth as possible.
It can be given at the same time as DTP, measles, polio (OPV and IPV), hepatitis B, haemophilus influenzae type B, yellow fever vaccines and vitamin A supplementation.
Many countries still recommend not administering BCG within 4 weeks of another live vaccine.

Transport and Storage:
BCG vaccine should be stored and transported between +2°C and +8°C. It is even more stable if stored in temperatures as low as -20°C. The diluent should not be frozen. The vaccine should be protected from light. Vaccine vials and diluents should be transported together.