#asktheexpert Hello Doctor, we have missed the birth dose BCG for Elaskhi. Is there a catch up dose option available? She is of 6 months now, if so can you pls recommend a brand? Thanks!

Question

Accepted Answer

yes there is no problem and you can give BCG vaccination anytime before 5 years of age also so just continue to visit your doctor will guide you regarding this

Accepted Answer

If your baby missed the BCG (Bacillus Calmette-Guérin) vaccine at birth, it’s important to get it as soon as possible, even if some time has passed. The BCG vaccine protects against tuberculosis (TB), a serious infection, particularly in young children.

### Steps to Take:
1. **Consult with Your Pediatrician**:
   - The first step is to consult with your pediatrician. They will assess your baby’s current health status and advise on the next steps for administering the BCG vaccine.

2. **Skin Test (Tuberculin Skin Test)**:
   - If your baby is now 6 months old and hasn’t received the BCG vaccine yet, your pediatrician may recommend a Tuberculin Skin Test (TST or Mantoux test) to check for any prior exposure to tuberculosis before administering the BCG vaccine.

3. **BCG Vaccine Administration**:
   - If the skin test is negative, the BCG vaccine can be given. There is no specific brand that needs to be requested; the BCG vaccine is standardized and should be available through your healthcare provider or at a vaccination clinic.

### BCG Vaccine Availability:
- **Brand**: There are different manufacturers of the BCG vaccine, but the brand is less important than ensuring the vaccine is administered by a qualified healthcare professional. Common brands used worldwide include those manufactured by Serum Institute of India, Statens Serum Institute, and others. Your pediatrician or the healthcare facility will use an appropriate and reliable brand.

### Conclusion:
Missing the BCG vaccine at birth is something that can be rectified. It’s important to act promptly by consulting with your pediatrician, who will guide you through the necessary steps, including possibly conducting a skin test and administering the vaccine. The brand of the vaccine will be managed by your healthcare provider, so there’s no need to worry about choosing one yourself.