Tuberculosis Vaccine

Key points

  • Bacille Calmette-Guérin (BCG) is a vaccine for tuberculosis (TB) disease.
  • This vaccine is not generally used in the United States.
  • The TB vaccine can cause a false positive TB skin test reaction.
  • Tell your health care provider if you have received the TB vaccine.
A health care provider prepares a vaccine for administration

Overview

Bacille Calmette-Guérin (BCG) is a vaccine for tuberculosis (TB) disease. The vaccine is not generally used in the United States

Many people born outside the United States have been vaccinated with BCG. It is given to infants and small children in countries where TB is common. It protects children from getting severe forms of active TB disease, such as TB meningitis. The vaccine's protection weakens over time.

Tell your health care provider if you have received the TB vaccine, especially if you are getting tested for TB infection. The vaccine can cause a false positive TB skin test reaction.

TB blood tests are the preferred tests for people who have received the BCG TB vaccine. Unlike the TB skin test, TB blood tests are not affected by BCG TB vaccination.

Who should receive the vaccine

In the United States, BCG is only considered for people who meet specific criteria and in consultation with a TB expert. Talk to your health care provider if you have questions about the vaccine.

Health care providers can consult their state or local TB control program for questions about BCG vaccination for their patients.

Common questions

Can I have inactive TB or TB disease even if I have received the TB vaccine?

Yes, a person can have or get TB even if they received the TB vaccine (BCG). The BCG TB vaccine does not always protect people from getting TB.

Contact your health care provider if you think you or someone in your family has been exposed to TB germs.

Should people who received the BCG TB vaccine get a TB blood test or TB skin test?

TB blood tests are the preferred tests for people who have received the BCG TB vaccine. The vaccine can cause a false positive TB skin test reaction. Unlike the TB skin test, TB blood tests are not affected by BCG vaccination.

Resources

Questions and Answers About Tuberculosis Booklet
Questions and Answers About TB has information on inactive TB and TB disease.
What You Need to Know About Tuberculosis Fact Sheet
Use this fact sheet to learn basic information about tuberculosis (TB).
Testing for Tuberculosis
The tuberculosis (TB) blood test and the TB skin test are the two types of tests for TB infection.
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Content Source:
Division of Tuberculosis Elimination ; National Center for HIV, Viral Hepatitis, STD, and Tuberculosis Prevention; Centers for Disease Control and Prevention