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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.
- [● 12 SOURCES] Parents should monitor for symptoms such as swelling in bone or joint areas, pain, limited movement, or limping. pogled.ba · vinkulja.hr · www.zagorje.com · dalmatinskiportal.hr · novosti.hr · +6 more
- [● 12 SOURCES] Approximately 60,000 doses from two vaccine series were administered during the period in question. pogled.ba · viki.mk · vinkulja.hr · www.zagorje.com · dalmatinskiportal.hr · +6 more
- [● 18 SOURCES] Four cases of suspected osteomylitis were reported in 2026 following the use of the vaccine. ohridsky.com · pogled.ba · viki.mk · vinkulja.hr · emedjimurje.net.hr · +12 more
- [● 17 SOURCES] HALMED suspended the distribution and use of all series of the BCG vaccine produced by Bul Bio NCIPD Ltd. ohridsky.com · pogled.ba · viki.mk · vinkulja.hr · emedjimurje.net.hr · +11 more
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The Institute for Public Health of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina has recommended a temporary suspension of the BCG vaccine from Bulgaria. radiobrcko.ba
- [● 10 SOURCES] Asymptomatic children who received the vaccine do not require preventive diagnostic imaging or special measures. pogled.ba · vinkulja.hr · www.zagorje.com · dalmatinskiportal.hr · novosti.hr · +4 more
- [● 2 SOURCES] The quality of all BCG vaccine series imported into Bosnia and Herzegovina was found to be satisfactory. www.rtvslon.ba
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The quality of all imported BCG vaccine series in Bosnia and Herzegovina was found to be satisfactory. www.rtvslon.ba
- [● 3 SOURCES] Republika Srpska has temporarily suspended BCG vaccine distribution as a precautionary measure. atvbl.rs · www.banjaluka.com · bijeljina.com
- [● 10 SOURCES] North Macedonia has temporarily suspended BCG vaccination following reports from Croatia. www.lexmedicanews.com · tetova1.mk · centar.mk · lider.mk · shenja.tv · +5 more