Children aged <5 years who are travelling to countries with high tuberculosis incidence are recommended to receive BCG vaccine before travel, based on an individual risk assessment

Children aged <5 years travelling to countries with high tuberculosis incidence (>40 cases per 100,000 population per year) are at increased risk of acquiring tuberculosis and developing severe disease.² BCG vaccine is most effective at preventing severe tuberculosis (miliary tuberculosis and tuberculous meningitis) in children. See Epidemiology and Vaccine information.

Children should ideally receive the vaccine at least 3 months before departure to a high risk destination. Consider discussing future travel plans with parents and carers of young infants at the earliest possible age.

The risk assessment should take account of the following:

• the child’s age
• how long they are in the high-risk area — the longer the exposure the higher the risk of infection
• the proximity of contact to others — staying with friends or family members in the community increases the risk of infection, particularly if they have a history of recent tuberculosis
• the tuberculosis incidence at the destination

See the World Health Organization’s country-specific incidence data.³

If additional information is needed to support the risk assessment, seek expert input. Discuss with state or territory tuberculosis services, a paediatric infectious diseases specialist or travel vaccine centres.

Tuberculin skin test screening before vaccination is only required in some circumstances. See Tuberculin skin testing before vaccination for details.

BCG vaccine is not as effective in older children and adults. It is not recommended for people in these age groups who are travelling to a country with high tuberculosis incidence, except in some healthcare workers.