Montenegro officials confirm controversial BCG vaccine batches were not used in country

Montenegrin health authorities have confirmed that the controversial batches of the BCG vaccine, which were temporarily withdrawn in Croatia due to suspected adverse effects, were never used in Montenegro.

While Montenegro utilized a Bulgarian-manufactured BCG vaccine from August 2022 to August 2025, the Institute of Public Health stated that the specific batches under investigation in Croatia were not among those distributed in Montenegro. Marija Božović of the Institute of Public Health reassured parents of children born in 2023 and later that there is no cause for concern regarding these specific batches.

The Institute for Medicines and Medical Devices reported that they are currently processing one report of a suspected adverse reaction, noting it falls within the expected safety profile of the drug. Officials emphasized that a reported suspicion of an adverse reaction does not automatically establish a causal link to the vaccine. Since August 2025, Montenegro has transitioned from the Bulgarian BCG vaccine to a Danish version.