General Hospital of Tailândia immunizes about 120 babies per month with the BCG vaccine

Today (01), as we celebrate BCG Vaccine Day, the General Hospital of Tailândia (HGT) highlights the importance of disease prevention from birth. The Bacillus Calmette-Guérin vaccine is administered in the first hours of life, following guidelines from the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Ministry of Health (MS). This initiative reinforces the institution's commitment to the health and well-being of babies, resulting in an average of 120 children immunized per month.

The nurse from the Hospital Infection Control Service (SCIH) and the Epidemiological Hospital Core (NHE of HGT), Elizana Vasconcelos, explains that the BCG vaccine prevents severe forms of tuberculosis (meningeal and miliary) and is produced with the Calmette-Guérin bacillus, which is a weakened form of the bacteria that causes the disease. She emphasizes that the vaccine is a single dose and generally provides lifelong protection.

"Most of the time, it leaves a small mark on the arm. However, if the scar does not form, there is no problem; the person remains protected in the same way. There is no guidance for administering additional doses."

The professional states that it is recommended to administer it in the right arm (deltoid region), via intradermal (under the skin), resulting in a small elevation resembling an orange peel, which disappears about eight hours after immunization. "After approximately three weeks, the area may show redness and a small wound may develop, which can take up to three months to heal," concluded the specialist.

To ensure that all babies are vaccinated in the first hours of life at HGT, the nurses from the Obstetric Clinic make a list of all newborns arriving at the Maternity in the morning. They then go from room to room, explaining the healing process of the BCG and administering the vaccine. Additionally, the hepatitis B vaccine is also administered.

Approval - Patient Alcione Barroso, 34, hospitalized in the Obstetric Clinic of HGT after the birth of her second child, highlighted the importance of keeping vaccinations up to date.

"I consider it very important because it helps prevent these early diseases in the future. As a mother, I always make a point of keeping track of vaccinations and maintaining the schedule. I go to health posts to check if there are any overdue doses. I advise other mothers to always be attentive and not let them lapse or be delayed, because it makes a big difference in the child's health. And the good thing is that from here in the hospital, they already leave with the vaccine applied,” said the patient.

Recommendations – Elizana reinforces that post-vaccination care consists of washing normally with soap and water during bath time and drying with a clean towel, without rubbing; keeping the child in a short-sleeved shirt to protect the area from dust, insects, and to prevent the child or sibling from touching the area, and keeping nails trimmed and not allowing scratching.

Protection - Tuberculosis is an infectious respiratory disease caused by a bacterium called Mycobacterium tuberculosis, also known as Koch's bacillus. According to WHO data, Brazil sees about 70,000 new cases of the disease each year and 4,500 deaths. The vaccine remains the only form of protection against severe forms of tuberculosis in children.

Service - HGT is a health unit of the Government of Pará managed by the National Institute of Social and Human Development (INDSH) in partnership with the State Department of Public Health (Sespa). The hospital is located at Avenida Florianópolis, s/n, in the Novo neighborhood. For more information, call (91) 99202-5964.