Lymph node targeting of BCG vaccines amplifies CD4 and CD8 T-cell responses and protection against Mycobacterium tuberculosis

► Subcutaneous and intralymphatic vaccination with M. bovis BCG was compared in mice. ► Intralymphatic BCG administration produced strong CD4 and CD8 T-cell responses with TNF-α, IL-2, IL-17 and IFN-γ secretion. ► Protection against tuberculosis was obtained with very low BCG doses (2 × 103 CFU). ► We demonstrate that efficient targeting to lymph nodes may help to overcome the efficacy problems of vaccination with BCG.