BCG vaccine is given to protect babies against tuberculosis (TB).

The HSE is currently experiencing ongoing delays with the supply of BCG vaccine.This is a European wide issue.

There is only one licensed manufacturer of BCG vaccine in the EU. This vaccine manufacturer has informed us that BCG vaccine will not be delivered into Ireland until further notice.

The BCG vaccine stock in all areas expired at the end of April 2015 so BCG vaccination clinics in HSE Clinics and Maternity hospitals have been postponed until new stock arrives.

In Ireland the number of cases of TB has been falling and there were no cases in young children in 2014. Most European countries do not give BCG to all babies.

You do not need to delay your baby’s injections at two months if your baby has not had their BCG vaccine.

Source: www.hse.ie