Complications de la revaccination par le BCG : 12 observations

Revaccination is no longer recommended by the WHO since efficacy is considered to be low or even nil. Intradermal injection is the reference method for BCG vaccination. Technical errors such as injection of an excessively high dose of the vaccine or subcutaneous administration of the vaccine solution increase the incidence of adverse effects. In our study, three patients erroneously received 1 ml of vaccine and the injection was too deep in 9 cases. There are few reports in the literature concerning the underlying mechanisms of these post-revaccination accidents; two major physiopathological mechanisms, infectious and immunological, are discussed. There is no consensus regarding treatment of these complications. Six of the 12 patients received specific therapy for 6 months.