Travel Medicine & BCG: FAQ

Tuberculosis is an infection cause by a bacteria (Mycobacterium Tuberculosis).  Worldwide, tuberculosis causes more deaths than any other infectious disease.  It is spread between people by breathing in the bacteria through the air from someone who is infected.  Children and infants are at high risk of becoming unwell following exposure to tuberculosis.   

To read more about tuberculosis and BCG please see:  http://www.mvec.vic.edu.au/immunisation-references/bcg-vaccine/  

According to Australian Government Department of Health recommendations, newborns and children under 5 years of age who will be travelling to or living in countries or areas with a high rate of tuberculosis should receive a BCG vaccine.   

BCG protects children from the more severe forms of tuberculosis.  BCG is a routine immunisation in many countries at birth (e.g. India, China, Vietnam, Indonesia). 

BCG vaccination should ideally occur at least 1 month before departure.  This will allow the body to develop an immune response to provide protection prior to travel.  If you are thinking of travelling overseas in the future, you can consider giving BCG to your child soon after birth due to extended waitlists.

Please complete the booking form and contact the FITS team to discuss potential options. Where possible, appointments are offered in some circumstances to families who are leaving for overseas imminently. 

A mantoux test may be recommended in older children, or if they have had previous travel overseas, prior to giving a BCG.  This is to check for past exposure to tuberculosis.  Discussion about various options with FITS travel medicine specialists is recommended. 

A mantoux test is a two-step test.  After administration of the mantoux, the child will need to return for a reading 2 – 4 days after administration.  If negative, a BCG can be safely administered. 

If your child’s Mantoux test is positive, our FITS team will have a discussion about next steps. This is likely to include further investigation and consultation to evaluate whether your child has been exposed to tuberculosis.

There is currently no recommendation for booster doses of BCG.

Your travel health specialist will generally recommend additional vaccines to BCG.  This will depend on the age and destination of travel.  The recommended vaccines may include Hepatitis A, Typhoid and Influenza vaccines. These vaccines are available at the FITS clinic. FITS is also an accredited NIP and Yellow Fever Vaccine provider.

Yes – the BCG can be given at the same time as other vaccines.  

Note: The BCG must be given at the same time, or 4 weeks apart from live vaccines, including the 12 and 18-month old National Immunisation Program scheduled vaccines (measles and chickenpox), or other live vaccines such as yellow fever vaccine. 

If your child is due for 12 or 18-month vaccines, FITS travel medicine specialists NOT administering them prior to your appointment. The FITS team is able to provide these vaccines at the same time as your BCG appointment at no additional charge.

The vaccine is administered into the left arm intradermally, or under the skin layer. This is different to most other routine vaccines that your child may have received previously.

Overall, the BCG is a safe vaccine with relatively few side effects. It is uncommon to have low-grade fever.

The main “side effect” that families often notice is a small scar, which may take up to 3-4 months after the immunisation to fully form and heal. This usually does not cause discomfort to the child, although there may be some swelling at the injection site in the first few weeks after the immunisation.

Your FITS travel medicine specialist will go through all potential side effects with you at your immunisation appointment.

Following the vaccination, during the first week to 6 weeks, a small blister may appear where the injection was given. After the first 6 weeks to 12 weeks, the blister may turn into a small weeping sore – this is an expected reaction and should not cause pain or affect movement of the arm. Scar formation may take up to 3-4 months in total from time of injection.

It is important to keep the site dry and clean. If a sore develops, cover the site with gauze. Do not use sticking plasters, ointments or oils directly on the site.

Paracetamol is not recommended before or at the time of your child’s BCG vaccination. It is also not recommended after the vaccination unless your child develops a low grade fever.