Evaluation of BCG vaccines and a new method of multipuncture administration.

In comparative investigations the Japanese vaccinating tool was found to be more satisfactory for BCG administration than the Heaf multipuncture apparatus. Not only were the immune responses achieved by 27 punctures made by the Japanese applicator equal to those produced by 40 punctures made by the Heaf apparatus, but the results were similar to those obtained with the intradermal method of vaccination. The Japanese applicator can be sterilized effectively, it is simple to use, durable, usable up to 100 times and cheap. All pre- and post-vaccination tuberculin testing was done intradermally with 2 tuberculin units of human PPD RT23. The studies also confirmed the high quality of the Japanese intradermal and percutaneous BCG vaccines. Administration of the potent percutaneous Japanese BCG vaccine with the Japanese applicator is an ideal, effective and safe method of BCG vaccination.