Non-specific effects of vaccines are effects which go beyond the specific protective effects against the targeted diseases. Non-specific effects from live vaccines can be strongly beneficial by increa
Women and children in line for a vaccination in Guinea-Bissau. It is estimated that millions of child deaths could be prevented every year if the non-specific effects of vaccines were taken into consideration in immunization programs.
The Bandim Health Project Office built in 2008.
Scar after BCG vaccination
BCG vaccine
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The Bacillus Calmette–Guérin vaccine is a vaccine primarily used against tuberculosis. It is named after its inventors Albert Calmette and Camille Guérin. In countries where tuberculosis or leprosy is
Non-specific effect of vaccines
…beneficial by increasing protection against non-targeted infections. This has been shown with childhood mortality in two live attenuated vaccines, BCG vaccine and measles vaccine, through multiple randomized controlled trials. Non-specific effects of non-live vaccination may be detrimental, increasing overall…
Microscopic image of the Calmette–Guérin bacillus, Ziehl–Neelsen stain, magnification: 1,000nn
Micrograph showing granulomatous inflammation of bladder neck tissue due to Bacillus Calmette–Guérin used to treat bladder cancer, H&E stain
An apparatus (4–5 cm length, with 9 short needles) used for BCG vaccination in Japan, shown with ampules of BCG and saline
French poster promoting the BCG vaccine