Although the tuberculosis vaccine has no longer been compulsory since 2007, it remains essential for certain populations at risk. Vaccination remains strongly recommended for children and adults likely to be exposed to the disease. Vaccination against tuberculosis can be carried out from birth and can be done at the same time as other vaccines, no booster is necessary.
Who is the tuberculosis vaccine for?
The tuberculosis vaccine helps protect the body against respiratory infection caused by Koch’s bacillus. Tuberculosis is a contagious infection (an untreated sick person can, according to the Pasteur Institute on its page dedicated to tuberculosis, infect 5 to 15 people) which is transmitted via contaminated droplets and through close contact with an infected person. Tuberculosis can cause serious forms, such as meningitis, so it is essential to protect yourself against this infection. Currently, the tuberculosis vaccine helps prevent serious infections since it protects against these complications in 75% of cases, as highlighted the French-language Pneumology Society. The tuberculosis vaccine is therefore particularly recommended for children and people who are in contact with infected people (through their entourage or while exercising their profession) or who live in areas where tuberculosis is particularly prevalent.
Are vaccinations and boosters against tuberculosis compulsory?
The tuberculosis vaccine was made compulsory in 1950. Although the vaccine does not prevent infection, it has helped reduce the number of serious cases of tuberculosis. Since 2007, the tuberculosis vaccine is no longer one of the mandatory vaccines, but it remains strongly recommended for people who may be exposed to the bacillus. Vaccination therefore remains essential for populations at risk. Vaccination against tuberculosis still remains a global priority for the World Health Organization (WHO). First of all, vaccination is strongly recommended, from birth, for children born in Mayotte or Guyana.
Children under 5 years of age presenting a risk factor (birth in an endemic country, child having a parent from a country where tuberculosis is particularly prevalent, child having to stay in an endemic country), or living in an environment whose sanitary conditions are degraded or present a high risk of being infected by the disease according to the attending physician, must be vaccinated against tuberculosis. Children under 5 years old living in Île-de-France are also affected. For children between 5 and 15 years old, vaccination is recommended if they have not been vaccinated, have a negative tuberculin test and have risk factors. Health professionals no longer have a vaccination obligation with regard to the tuberculosis vaccine. It should be noted that it is not necessary, once vaccinated, to carry out a booster.
At what age can you get vaccinated against tuberculosis?
Vaccination, although no longer compulsory, remains strongly recommended in areas where tuberculosis is endemic. Thus, health authorities strongly recommend vaccination against tuberculosis as early as possible (i.e. before leaving the maternity ward) in the territories of Mayotte and Guyana. Vaccination before leaving the maternity ward is also strongly recommended for children who have a close family member suffering from tuberculosis. Vaccination is also recommended from the first month and ideally in the second month for children with strong risk factors, as specified on the Public Service website.
It should be noted that vaccination can be offered before the age of 15 if the child presents a significant risk factor and was not vaccinated at a younger age. Vaccination against tuberculosis can then be done at any age if the person is in contact with infected people. Vaccination against tuberculosis should not be carried out during pregnancy, however, because the vaccine is a live attenuated vaccine. It should also not intervene during breastfeeding. Vaccination of infants (if it should normally be carried out before leaving the maternity ward or in the first months) must be postponed if the mother was treated with infliximab during her pregnancy. Indeed, this anti-inflammatory prescribed as part of the treatment of many chronic illnesses can reduce immune defenses and pass the placental barrier. Vaccination of newborns against tuberculosis, if it must take place, must therefore be postponed until 12 months.
Sources
- Information on BCG vaccinationFrench-language Pneumology Society, April 26, 2022
- TuberculosisPasteur Institute, April 2021
- BCG: Vaccine against tuberculosisPublic Service website, October 26, 2023
- Tuberculosis (BCG)Vaccination Info Service, September 26, 2023
- BCG vaccinationMinistry of Labor, Health and Solidarity, June 24, 2022
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