The efficacy of bacillus Calmette-Guérin vaccination of newborns and infants in the prevention of tuberculosis: meta-analyses of the published literature.

Abstract

BCG vaccination of newborns and infants significantly reduces the risk of tuberculosis--by over 50%, on average. Protection has been observed across many populations, study designs, and forms of tuberculosis. Rates of protection against cases that are confirmed by laboratory tests, reflecting reduced error in disease classification and consequently more accurate estimates of BCG efficacy, are highest at 83%.