Quandry over BCG

[Peanuckle]

I've just been sent consent forms for my 14 year old twins to have the BCG vaccination in 2 weeks. I didn't realise it's not given to all children at school any more :confused:

Apparently they've been offered it because I was born in Singapore, however I've never been back (my father was stationed at the RAF base there) and we left when I was 3 months old. My head says give them the jab, it didn't do me any harm and it's worth having the cover, but is it something they need?
Also should I contact my GP and get my 15 year old the jab as well?

I'm probably dithering over it since both of them have a fear of needles and I can see the grief having 2 injections two days apart is going to cause :eek:

[bringmeshoes]

Personally I would sign the consent form as I've heard in the news that cases of TB are increasing and although its unlikely they would catch it the grief of the injections is surely nothing to the grief if either of them caught TB.
I also have a fear of needles and it took 3 nurses to give me my jab as I was that bad!!

[itzmee]

I never had the BCG as I changed schools the term before they were going to do them and the new school had already had them done, so I missed out:rolleyes: . I never had the rubella injection either - when I was pregnant with my oldest they told me I was immune, though having said that I got german measles about 3 years ago! I'm 40 now so it's never done me any harm not having it. I'm sure you'll get a lot of grief from the kids so you just have to decide, is it really necessary if they don't offer them anymore anyway?!!

[sillyvixen]

i had the BCG test a vacine quite early on in my school years as a child was diagnosed with TB and the whole school was checked and vaccinated.. i cant believe that schools no longer routinely offer vacination programs for this as TB has been on the rise for many years in this country!! i see no reason while the op's children have been singled out to be offered the jab - but i would accept it all the same.

[Peanuckle]

They've been offered as according to the regulations it should be given to "those living in areas with a high rate of TB or whose parents or grandparents were born in a TB high prevalence country"

I've made an appointment to talk to the school nurse and to arrange for my eldest to get it as well after looking at a lot of reports of how TB is on the rise again.

[ka7e]

I really don't see the rationale behind phasing out the BCG! You may not currently live in an area with high TB rates, but the population is so mobile, you may do so in the future.

My 19 year-old DD has had to be tested to make sure she is producing antibodies, as she works in a high-risk environment. I believe her school year was the last group of 15- 16 year-olds to be offered the jab in our (low-risk) area. Lots of them now work in health-care or are at Uni in large cities, the cohort following them will have no protection.

[LadyMorticia]

I didn't realize it wasn't given to all school pupils anymore.

I had mine when I was 12. Then I changed schools at 14 and then there everyone had theirs at 14-15. I already had mine so didn't have to have it again thankfully.

My dad broke two needles when he had his done because his skin is so tough. :rotfl:

xx

[TangledMemories]

Hi,
Me and my brothers have all been vaccinated with the BCG and it hasn't done us any harm. I would recommend they have whatever vaccinations are offered due to the increase in previously "dormant" infections such as the recent report into the rise in mumps cases.
Our economy and population is changing. People are entering and leaving the country more often than before - don't leave your kids wide open to infection.