Is every baby born in the US required to get a TB vaccination?
I was born in 1993.
2007-06-09 14:33:46 · 4 answers · asked by Anonymous in Health ➔ Other - Health
No. The BCG vaccine is not approved for use in the US. People in the US are skin tested with an IPPD to check for antibodies formed after exposure. The BCG vaccine makes skin testing impossible to depend on, and it is not always effective in preventing TB. At the time it was developed, TB was a major problem in Europe and it was the best method for getting the disease under control. TB was not a major problem in the US, though, and the FDA determined that the benefits of the vaccination did not justify using it. The chances of a person in the US developing TB are low enough that it's not ever become an issue to change the policy.
2007-06-09 14:41:13 · answer #1 · answered by The mom 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Regretably, the USA has never used BCG vaccine in any routine way. They rely on repeated skin tests and X-rays to check that people don't have TB. One result of this is that one can catch TB but not have it diagnosed until you are yourself infectious. BCG would have stopped you getting the TB in the first place.
Prevention is always better than cure!
2014-04-23 12:24:17 · answer #2 · answered by Roddy 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Most children are required to get TB vaccinations before they are allowed to enroll in public schools. So if you went to a public school you are probably vaccinated against the most common forms of TB.
You can always check your medical records, or better yet ask your mom if possible.
2007-06-09 14:42:39 · answer #3 · answered by sage 5 · 0⤊ 2⤋
No.... The required vaccinations are HIB, Polio, DaTP, Measles Mumps Rubella (MMR), Viracella, Pneumococcal, and recommended in addition HEP B.
2007-06-09 14:41:26 · answer #4 · answered by nurserenae 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋