< Back to all clusters
[HEALTH] · Bulgaria, Croatia, North Macedonia, Bosnia & Herzegovina · 54 sources

started · updated

BCG vaccine suspension in Croatia and neighboring regions

Health authorities in Croatia, North Macedonia, and Republika Srpska have temporarily suspended the distribution and use of the BCG tuberculosis vaccine produced by Bulgarian manufacturer Bul Bio NCIPD Ltd. The suspension follows reports from the Croatian Medicines Agency (HALMED) regarding four suspected cases of osteomyelitis—a rare bone infection—in children vaccinated in 2024 and early 2025.

In Croatia, the distributor Medical Intertrade has halted all series of the vaccine pending an investigation into potential quality defects. Approximately 60,000 doses from two series were administered during the period under review. North Macedonia has also suspended immunization as a precautionary measure, noting that the country remains at high risk for tuberculosis and that vaccination is mandatory.

In Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Agency for Medicines and Medical Devices (ALMBIH) reported that quality controls on imported 2026 series were satisfactory and that no adverse reactions have been reported locally since 2020. Similarly, the Institute for Public Health of Republika Srpska implemented a precautionary suspension following the Croatian announcement.

Medical experts and the Croatian Institute of Public Health (HZJZ) advise that children who have already received the vaccine but show no symptoms do not require preventive diagnostic imaging or special measures. Parents are urged to monitor for symptoms such as localized swelling in bone or joint areas, pain, limited movement, or limping.

Entities

Bosnia and Herzegovina · Bul Bio NCIPD Ltd. · Bulgaria · Croatia · Croatian Institute of Public Health · Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina · HALMED · HZJZ · Medical Intertrade · Medical Intertrade d.o.o. · North Macedonia

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

Sources