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Frequently Asked Questions - BCG Vaccine

What is BCG? It is a vaccine for Tuberculosis (TB) that is often given to infants and small children in other countries where the disease is common.

Can I get vaccinated for Tuberculosis? No, the vaccine is not currently used in the United States.

If I have received the BCG vaccine am I still at risk for developing Tuberculosis? Yes, you may still be at risk. BCG does not always protect people from being infected with Tuberculosis (TB).

If I was vaccinated with BCG can I get a false positive on a Tuberculosis (TB) skin test? Yes, if you were recently vaccinated with BCG (in the last 5 years). A positive skin test may also be an indication of Tuberculosis (TB) infection. If you are not sure of your status, consult a health care provider.

How do I know if I am infected or if it is a false positive? The only way to know for sure is to consult a health care provider. However, you are probably infected with Tuberculosis (TB) if you:

• Recently spent time with a person who has Tuberculosis (TB) Disease
• You are from an area of the world where Tuberculosis (TB) Disease is common
• You frequently spend time at places where Tuberculosis (TB) Disease is common such as: homeless shelters, drug treatment centers, health care clinics, jails and prisons