BCG
REVACCINATION - SCI & TECH
News:
BCG revaccination study
in high-risk adults to begin in 23 States
What's
in the news?
●
Twenty three States have consented to
participate in the BCG revaccination study in adults that will be undertaken in
a “programme implementation study mode” to evaluate the effectiveness of the
vaccine in reducing TB disease incidence.
Bacillus
Calmette–Guérin (BCG) vaccine:
●
It is a vaccine for tuberculosis (TB).
●
The vaccine was developed by Calmette and
Guerin and was first administered to human beings in 1921.
●
It is the most widely administered vaccine
and is usually a part of the routine newborn immunization schedule.
Is
it only for Tuberculosis?
●
BCG vaccine also offers protection against non-tuberculous mycobacterial infections like
leprosy and Buruli ulcer.
Beneficiaries:
●
It is often given to infants and small children.
●
It is rarely given to anyone over the age
of 16 because there is little evidence it works very well in adults.
Go
back to basics:
Tuberculosis
(TB):
●
Tuberculosis (TB) is caused by bacteria (Mycobacterium tuberculosis) that most
often affect the lungs.
●
It is a curable and preventable disease.
Kinds
of Tuberculosis:
●
Latent
TB
- The bacteria remain in the body in an inactive state. They cause no symptoms
and are not contagious, but they can become active.
●
Active
TB
– The bacteria do cause symptoms and can be transmitted to others. About
one-quarter of the world’s population has latent TB.
Risks
of Tuberculosis:
●
People infected with TB bacteria have a
5–15% lifetime risk of falling ill with TB.
●
However, persons with compromised immune
systems, such as people living with HIV, malnutrition or diabetes, or people
who use tobacco, have a much higher risk of falling ill.
Transmission:
●
TB is spread
from person to person through the air.
●
When people with lung TB cough, sneeze or
spit, they propel the TB germs into the air.
●
Even after inhaling a few drops of these
germ, a person can get infected.