BCG vaccine use suspended in Croatia and Bosnia and Herzegovina

The use of the Bulgarian-manufactured BCG tuberculosis vaccine has been temporarily suspended in Croatia and Bosnia and Herzegovina following reports of potential side effects. In Croatia, four suspected cases of osteomyelitis have been reported out of approximately 60,000 doses administered. Health officials are investigating whether these cases resulted from incorrect dosages—specifically a potential data entry error where 0.5 ml was recorded instead of 0.05 ml—or if they are genuine adverse reactions.

In Republika Srpska, the Institute of Public Health reported that 51,000 doses of the BB-NCIPD vaccine have been administered since 2020 without any serious adverse reactions reported. Epidemiologists noted that while rare side effects like osteitis or osteomyelitis can occur, they typically appear months or even years after vaccination and are treatable with anti-tuberculosis drugs.

Medical professionals in Croatia have advised parents against panic, urging them to monitor children for symptoms such as persistent swelling, bone pain, or reduced mobility in joints. Meanwhile, officials in Serbia and Montenegro stated they utilize vaccines from different manufacturers and consider their current supplies safe.