About the BCG Service

For parents and healthcare professionals

What is the BCG Vaccine?

The BCG (Bacillus Calmette-Guérin) vaccine helps protect against tuberculosis (TB), a serious bacterial infection that usually affects the lungs but can also affect other parts of the body. The vaccine is particularly effective in protecting babies and young children from severe forms of TB, including TB meningitis.

 

Who is eligible?

The BCG vaccine is offered to babies and children who are at higher risk of developing TB. This includes:

• Babies with a parent or grandparent born in a country with a high incidence of TB.
• Babies living in areas of the UK where TB rates are higher.
• Babies or children who will be travelling to or living in a country with high rates of TB.
• Children who have lived in or spent at least three months in a country with a high incidence of TB.
• Children who have close household contact with someone who has had TB.

 

Which hospitals do the BCG Immunisation Service cover?

The hospitals that BCG Immunisation Service cover are:

• Heartlands Hospital, Bordesley Green East, Birmingham, B9 5SS.
• Birmingham Women's Hospital, Mindelsohn Way, Edgbaston, Birmingham, B15 2TG.
• Good Hope Hospital, Rectory Road, Sutton Coldfield, Birmingham, B75 7RR.

 

When is the vaccine given?

Eligible babies are usually offered the BCG vaccine at around 28 days of age. If the vaccine is not received during infancy, eligible children can still be referred and assessed for vaccination.

 

Information for parents

If your baby or child meets the eligibility criteria for BCG vaccination and has not yet received it, please speak to your Health Visitor, GP Practice, or other healthcare professional. They can check eligibility and arrange an appropriate referral if needed.

 

Birmingham and Solihull BCG Service: for eligible babies aged 0 to 12 months:

• Email: bchc.bcginarea@nhs.net
• Telephone:  0121 466 6555

 

Information for healthcare professionals

Health Visitors, Practice Nurses, Midwives and GPs should continue to identify eligible infants during routine contacts and developmental reviews. If an eligible infant aged 0 to 2 months has not received BCG vaccination and does not already have an appointment arranged, a referral should be made to the local BCG service.

 

Referral contacts

Eligible infants aged 0 to 12 months (Birmingham and Solihull):

• Email: bchc.bcginarea@nhs.net
• Telephone: 0121 466 6555

Children aged 12 months to 16 years requiring BCG assessment or vaccination:

Birmingham and Solihull TB Service

• Email: TBServicee-mail@uhb.nhs.uk
• Telephone: 0121 424 1935