[Dose-activity relationships of the BCG vaccine for newborn infants (author's transl)].

BCG vaccine with the Kopenhagen strain was injected intracutaneously in 217 newborn infants in four different concentrations (22.000, 50.000, 110.000, and 160.000 organisms per dose). 171 children could be followed up and tested. The results showed a good activity (tuberculin conversion) with a low risk (no ulcers, no severe regional lymph node swelling). There were no complications. As would be expected the conversion rate was highest (95%) with the vaccine with the highest concentration (160.000 U per dose). This concentration is thus recommended for the general BCG vaccination of newborn infants. In contrast to previous experience tuberculin conversion could be demonstrated in 22 babies without a local reaction at the vaccination site. In 13 children the opposite was true.