BCG-vaccine studies: effect of exposing the vaccination site to sunlight immediately after vaccination

Edwards, Lydia B. and Johansen, Birthe (1954) BCG-vaccine studies: effect of exposing the vaccination site to sunlight immediately after vaccination. Indian Journal of Tuberculosis, 1 (4). pp. 174-177.

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Abstract

Early in 1953, nearly 2,000 school children in Jabalpur, India, were tuberculin-tested, and 1,200 of them vaccinated, in a co- operative study designed to determine whether exposing the vaccination site to strong sunlight immediately after injection of BCG would effect the development of tuberculin allergy. Follow-up examination in 5-6 weeks showed that the tuberculin reactions (and vaccinal lesions) averaged the same size in three groups of vaccinated children : (a) those whose vaccination site was exposed to sunlight for a period ranging from 0 to 45 minutes immediately after vaccination ; (b) those exposed for a full 45 minutes after an interval ranging from 0 to 45 minutes after vaccination; and (c) those not exposed during the study period. It would thus appear unnecessary at the present time to recommend shielding the vac- cination site from sunlight immediately after the vaccine has been injected.

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