Collection

BCG vaccination programme

Documents relating to the Bacillus Calmette–Guérin (BCG) vaccination programme.

• From: UK Health Security Agency
• Published: 28 July 2021
• Last updated: 11 October 2021 — See all updates

The Bacillus Calmette–Guérin (BCG) vaccine is a live attenuated vaccine and is not given as part of the routine vaccination schedule but only when a child is at increased risk of coming into contact with tuberculosis (TB).

From 1 September 2021, eligible babies born on or after this date should be offered the BCG vaccine at 28 days or soon after. Providers are required to check the record for a Severe Combined Immunodeficiency (SCID) screening outcome before administering the BCG vaccine. Vaccination may be administered earlier than 28 days provided that a SCID outcome is available that indicates BCG vaccine can be given.

Immunisation patient group direction (PGD) templates are available for authorisation and adoption to provide NHS routine immunisation services.

More information on TB is available on NHS.UK and on GOV.UK.

Training resources

Training slidesets are available to download:

Introduction to TB

Administering BCG vaccination

SCID evaluation and change of timing of neonatal BCG

Guidance

• Tuberculosis: the green book, chapter 32
  • 3 August 2018
  • Guidance
• BCG vaccine: information on the 28 day immunisation programme
  • 1 October 2021
  • Guidance
• BCG vaccination and SCID screening: patient pathway
  • 9 December 2021
  • Guidance
• BCG vaccination and SCID screening: data pathway
  • 7 October 2021
  • Guidance

Leaflets and posters

• Tuberculosis: the disease, its treatment and prevention
  • 31 March 2016
  • Promotional material
• TB, BCG and your baby
  • 18 April 2023
  • Guidance

Letter templates

• BCG vaccine: template letter for parents of babies not offered vaccine
  • 7 February 2017
  • Guidance

Programme documents

• BCG immunisation programme: changes from September 2021 letter
  • 27 July 2021
  • Correspondence

Published 28 July 2021
Last updated 11 October 2021 + show all updates

1. 11 October 2021

   Added 'BCG vaccination and SCID screening: patient pathway'.

2. 7 October 2021

   Added BCG vaccination and SCID screening: data pathway.

3. 5 October 2021

   Added links to training slidesets.

4. 1 October 2021

   Added BCG vaccine: information on the 28 day immunisation programme.

5. 28 July 2021

   First published.