The state is gearing up to launch a search for volunteers to participate in adult Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) vaccination trials, with a focus on understanding the effectiveness of booster BCG vaccines in preventing tuberculosis (TB). This initiative comes in response to recent guidelines issued by the central government, encouraging states to explore the potential benefits of administering BCG vaccines to adults.
Volunteers aged 18 and above are being sought, particularly from vulnerable groups, including individuals with a history of TB, close contacts of TB patients, those with comorbidities such as diabetes, and individuals with a smoking habit. The trial will use the same BCG vaccine administered to infants at birth, aiming to assess its efficacy in adults.
Out of the 80 TB administrative units in the state, 40 will be designated as trial districts, while the remaining 40 will serve as control districts. The state aims to select 20% of the population as volunteers for these adult BCG vaccination trials. The primary objective is to investigate whether booster BCG vaccines can effectively work in adults, considering that the immunogenicity of BCG vaccines administered at birth diminishes after a certain age.
Dr. Sunita Golhait, Joint Director (TB) at the Maharashtra Health Services, stated, “The state TB department is actively seeking volunteers from specific vulnerable groups to participate in the adult BCG vaccination trials. All individuals aged above 18 are eligible to participate.”
The state is particularly interested in recruiting beneficiaries from high-risk groups, such as individuals above 50 with a history of TB infection. The trials will involve a long-term analysis to assess the impact of booster BCG vaccines in adults for TB prevention.
Dr. Pravin Vedpathak, from the Routine Immunization Section, Assistant Health Director at the State Family Welfare Department, explained, “The willing beneficiaries will be finalized by April or May. Once these are confirmed, the adult BCG trials are set to commence in June.”
