Bacille Calmette-Guérin (BCG) is a vaccine for ______.
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: B
Explanation
The correct answer is option 2 i.e. tuberculosis (TB)
- Bacille Calmette-Guérin (BCG) is a vaccine for tuberculosis (TB).
- BCG vaccine is a live vaccine that gives some protection against TB.
- The BCG vaccine does not prevent a person from becoming infected if exposed to TB bacteria (germs), but, it makes it much more likely that a person will get a mild localised infection rather than an overwhelming life-threatening illness.
- It can take between 6-12 weeks for the BCG vaccine to produce its immune effect (protection). BCG vaccination may only give 50-60% immunity against tuberculosis and in some individuals the vaccine loses its effectiveness over time, sometimes within 5-15 years.
- In children BCG vaccine may prevent them from developing severe forms of TB disease, such as TB in the brain (TB meningitis). The benefit to adults is less clear.