Parents' perspectives of the new neonatal BCG vaccination pathway in England: a qualitative study.

ABSTRACT:

Background

The neonatal Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) selective vaccination pathway in England was revised in September 2021 due to the introduction of a national evaluation of newborn screening for Severe Combined Immunodeficiency (SCID). BCG is a live attenuated vaccine that is contraindicated in infants with SCID, hence BCG vaccination was moved from soon after birth to after SCID results were available, typically at 14-17 days. The transition also shifted vaccination delivery from maternity units to community clinics, raising concerns about potential barriers to access and lower vaccine uptake. This study explored parents' experiences of navigating the new neonatal BCG vaccination pathway and identified access barriers and enablers.

Methods

A qualitative study was condu

SUBMITTER: Bisset K 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12359992 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature