Tuberculosis (TB)/BCG

Tuberculosis (TB) is a bacterial infection spread through inhaling tiny droplets from coughs and sneezes from someone infected with Tuberculosis. It mainly affects the lungs but can affect other parts of the body.

The Paediatric Tuberculosis (TB) services accesses children and young people with suspected TB, provides a screening programme and monitoring treatment as required.

The service provides a targeted BCG vaccination programme to babies, children and young people at a higher risk of TB who are referred by midwives, health visitors, GP’s and Paediatricians. These include:

• All babies born who have a parent or grandparent who were born in a country where there are a high number of cases of TB
• Older children who have not received a BCG vaccine may be screened for TB risk factors, tested and vaccinated if appropriate