My Grandfather died of Tb last year, he was not thought to be in a 'high risk' group. He was mis-diagnosed with Cancer of the lung and it was only when he was close to death that they found he had TB.
Because of this my DS has had to undergo nearly a year of tests, and has had t take prophylactic anti-Tb drugs which believe me is a scary prospect if you are brave enough to read the potential side effects, much much worse than any potential problems with the BCG jab. The six months he was ont eh drugs were the worse six months of my life
Maybe when you have lost someone to TB it brings it home to you that is is still a potentially fatal disease, and that although most children who are exposed will not become ill some will become sick and some will die.TB can affect nearly all the body systems not just the lungs and children will become sicker much faster.
I completely understand why people hate giving their kids vaccinations as I am ne f them, but people, especially those born and bred in the uk are so incredibly sheltered and the 'it will never happen to me/us mentality is rife. Unfortunately things are changing, most communicable diseases are^ on the rise and we are seeing the resurgence of some of the 'old' killers.
If your child is offered the bcg please think carefully before you refuse it on their behalf. It may not give 100% protection but it does offer some, and it may save your child from unnecessary treatment at a later date if they are exposed to someone with this disease, or it may save their life.