The vaccination against tuberculosis (TB) is called BCG.

The main role of BCG vaccination is that it may prevent or modify the development of severe or widespread forms of TB (TB meningitis and miliary TB) in young children. Therefore, the current New Zealand policy is that all pregnant women should be assessed by their lead maternity carer during the pregnancy for the risk of TB for their baby.

• BCG vaccination should be offered to infants at increased risk of TB.
• BCG should be given soon after birth.
• Eligible children under 5 years of age who were not vaccinated soon after birth can also be given BCG.
• BCG vaccination is free.

The current neonatal BCG eligibility criteria are on the Ministry of Health website, along with a link to a table of countries with a TB rate of > 40 per 100,000.

Infants eligible for BCG vaccination are those who:

• Will be living in a house or family/whānau with a person with either current TB or a past history of TB
• Have one or both parents or household members or carers, who within the last 5 years lived for a period of 6 months or longer in countries with a TB rate of > 40 per 100,000
• During their first 5 years will be living for 3 months or longer in a country with a TB rate of > 40 per 100,000 and are likely to be exposed to those with TB.

How to book a BCG vaccination in the Auckland region

The Auckland Regional Public Health Service provides a BCG vaccination service for eligible babies and children under five living in the Auckland region.

To find out if your baby or child is eligible and to book a BCG appointment, call 0800 FOR BCG or 0800 367 224 during office hours.

During busy times, calls may be diverted to voicemail, but please leave a message and someone from our BCG service will get back to you as soon as possible.