Why don't they do the BCG injection in the leg?! So the scaring isn't seen?

[omikron]

My friend has just mentioned this and we can't work out why they wouldn't do it in the leg?!

I don't know? When I was mental health nurse I always gave IM injections in the top.of the buttock.as it's the largest muscle it's supposed to be less painful?

Mine was given in the leg. My parents asked for it to be done that way for precisely the scarring reason. I am glad now but this thread has made me realise I forgot to ask for my children's BCGs to be done in the leg - sorry kids

Do you know, this makes sense now you have said it! I’m just loitering so someone more knowledgable can explain why it makes sense to do the arm again.....

I asked the doctor this and apparently it’s so the scar can easily be found as evidence of previous vaccination.
BCG is also given just under the skin so is a bit different to other vaccines.

Probably just quicker when doing it en made- maybe child protection issues etc- need to have female present if male doing injections =extra resource?

Bcg done at birth where I live ( tb rampant) and it’s done in the butt.

Speed? If you're administering a lot in one day, it's quicker for a sleeve to be rolled up then faffing about with trousers. Presuming they're still done in schools like when I were a lass.

Maybe because they're done in schools and the mass taking off of trousers would take longer?

I was under the impression it was so that you could easily check whether someone had had it by checking for the scar (always in the same arm for that reason). When I had to confirm with Occupational Health that I had received it they checked the scar.

Because it was done in school and arm is speedier. Most teens hate having their jabs done as it is let alone asking them to strip off

Living in a very undiverse area there are very few people being vaccinated with the BCG anyway.

Many years ago, when I had the bcg, we lined up in a row, pulled up our sleeves and were vaccinated in the school hall. I wouldn't have been hoiking up my skirt in front of everyone. Hopefully there's more privacy for kids now and the bum or leg would be an option.

Don't think the BCG is done routinely at school now

As far as I know (in my area at least) you only receive the BCG if you are likely to visit or live with people from a country/area where you are likely to be exposed to TB.

This policy led to alit of panic when we had a case of TB in our school as none of the children were vaccinated.

My scar can be seen my a medic but unless you're specifically looking for it I can't believe you'd notice. Aren't most people's tiny?

I had my done in the arm, I don’t have a scar, neither do my children.

Slightly off topic but we have no BCG at all in Ireland (since May 2015) as we have no stock. I’d just be happy they were getting vaccinated.

I had mine done on my back - on my shoulder blade. The nurse administering it at the time suggested it to avoid scarring

I have absolutely no scar from my BCG, not even a tiny one. I've never thought anything of it but actually every single person I know who's had it, has a scar. Hmmm...

In answer to the question, it's almost certainly about speed and privacy. And because, really, unless you're a professional model, is a BCG scar really that big a deal?

I don't have a scar. I had no idea anyone got a permanent scar from this.

mine is on my bottom/hip and it's huge.

I don’t have a scar either but know I have immunity from having the vaccination as tested for other reasons.

DH is Indian and had his done on his les, which is common practice there apparently. My boys had them done at birth in the uk, both in the leg, ds1 has a tiny scar, ds2 doesn't have one at all.

Not everyone gets the scar, I don't have one, you'd never know I'd had it done.

I don't have a scar, but have seen some really big ones on arms of other people. May ask for my kids to have elsewhere

Good idea. My scar is horrible- was a open wound for six months.

I think those of you who didn't get the scar probably didn't have the impressive/gross pus reaction? I can remember mine bursting in the bath, the pus was thick and green (obv not envy)

Not as impressive as those who reacted to the 6 needle test thingy they did though!