Assessment of post vaccination allergy among those BCG vaccinated without pre-vaccination tuberculin test

Bhushan, Kul; Nair, S.S. and Ganapathy, K.T. (1970) Assessment of post vaccination allergy among those BCG vaccinated without pre-vaccination tuberculin test. Indian Journal of Tuberculosis, 17 (1). pp. 18-31.

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Abstract

The Conventional method of assessing post- vaccination allergy cannot be applied when BCG vaccinations are carried out without prior tuberculin test. In view of the distinct advantages of direct BCG vaccinations, developing a methodology for assessing such programmes has become necessary. This paper considers the suitability of some methods of assessing post-vaccination allergy following direct vacci- nations, both from technical and operational angles. Methods which show promise and could be further investigated are tuberculin testing of (1) entire vaccinated groups and (2) those showing indurations of 13 mm or less at the site of vaccination on the fourth day after vaccination. In view of the operational sim- plicity, two other methods viz., (1) basing the assessment on a single reading of induration at the site of vaccination and (2) comparison of mean post-vaccination allergy among the entire vaccinated group with mean allergy among reactors in neighbouring unvaccinated areas could also be considered for further study.

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