Is it necessary to have my baby vaccinated for tuberculosis before travelling to Asia?

Question

We're planning on taking a trip to Asia, probably stay longer at the Philippines where TB is widespread. My baby was 5 weeks premature, now she's 6 months. What can i do to prevent her from contracting TB

Answer 1

you should check with your physician but here is what i have found.

The TB vaccine is a live, weakened bacterial vaccine made from the bacterium that causes TB in cows. It was first administered to humans in 1921. It has been given to 4 billion people worldwide and has been used routinely since the 1960’s in almost all the countries of the world, primarily in young infants. Changes in the TB bacteria over time have led scientists to create the different TB vaccines used throughout the world, and their effectiveness appears to be highly variable.

The U.S. does not recommend the vaccine for all children because it is not highly effective (see Effectiveness of the Vaccine) and may cause confusion for physicians when trying to interpret a TB skin test. The Netherlands is the only other country that has not recommended this vaccine for all children.

Who Should and Should Not Receive this Vaccine

Who should receive the vaccine?

Although TB vaccine is recommended by the World Health Organization and is given in more than 100 countries, in the U.S. it should only be considered in select circumstances. In the U.S., the vaccine should be considered for infants and children who do not test positive for TB but who are:

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Continually exposed to a patient with infectious TB of the lungs (and the child cannot be removed from this person)
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Exposed to a person with TB that is resistant to antituberculosis drugs

In addition, vaccination is recommended for health care workers who are employed in settings with patients who have drug-resistant TB, and where comprehensive TB infection-control precautions have been implemented but have not been successful.

Who should not receive the vaccine?

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HIV-infected children or children whose immune systems are not functioning fully (e.g., patients undergoing chemotherapy)
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People with burns or skin infections
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Pregnant women
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People who are moderately or severely ill should consult with their physician before receiving any vaccine.

This vaccine is recommended by:

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Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
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American Academy of Pediatrics
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American Thoracic Society

Dose Schedule

The TB vaccine is given as a shot; one dose is required. Infants may receive the vaccine soon after birth, or later, but preferably before exposure to persons with active tuberculosis.

Effectiveness of the Vaccine

Studies examining vaccine’s effectiveness against tuberculosis of the lungs have drawn various conclusions; however, one large study found the vaccine to protect about 50% of recipients. Effectiveness rates are highest among those who get the vaccination in early childhood.

Those who receive the vaccine may still develop TB, but approximately 80% of recipients are protected from developing life-threatening forms of the disease, such as miliary disease and meningitis (inflammation of the brain).

Known Side Effects

Accurate rates of adverse events due to the TB vaccine are difficult to estimate, but serious or long-term complications after TB immunization are uncommon.

Frequent reactions to the TB vaccine include redness, swelling, or soreness at the injection site.

Moderate swelling of the lymph nodes in the armpits or neck, which may progress to pus-filled nodes that require drainage in some people, also occurs. In addition, swelling at the injection site may turn into a pustule and then a scar. An ulcer may develop where the shot was given in some people. These reactions occur after approximately 1% to 2% of immunizations, and may last three months or longer.

Because the TB vaccine is a live vaccine, it may cause TB meningitis, or disseminated TB (TB infection that has spread throughout the body), which occurs at a rate of 0.06 to 1.56 cases per 1 million vaccinated. The vaccine may also cause tuberculosis infection of bone growth centers, which may occur several years after the vaccine was given.

Related Issues

A person previously vaccinated may have a positive reaction to a TB skin test, potentially causing confusion for health care providers attempting to determine if that person has TB.

good luck

Answer 2

Absolutely. TB is highly contagious, and can be fatal, especially in children. If your baby was born premature and had respiratory issues at birth, s/he may be more suspectible to infection. The best way to prevent TB is to get vaccinated- you are taking a big risk otherwise, especially with a small child in a country where it is prevalent.

Answer 3

There's no vaccine for TB that is used outside of Asia, and I'm not even sure they still use the BCG shot anymore.

Contact the CDC to find out for sure if it's a major risk in the specific area you're in.

www.cdc.gov

Answer 4

being vaccinated is best for the baby as TB in that country is very easy to catch. Getting protected doesn't harm you but it will save you from major health trouble in the future.

Answer 5

there isn't a vaccine for TB - there is a skin test to detect exposure, but this is not a vaccine. talk to your health department about what vaccines you'll need when traveling.

Answer 6

You should definitely contact your doc for that question.