North Macedonia switches to Japanese BCG vaccine amid regional safety concerns

North Macedonia has suspended the use of BCG tuberculosis vaccines produced by Bulgaria’s Bul Bio NCIPD as a precautionary measure. This follows reports in Croatia and Bosnia and Herzegovina regarding potential links between the vaccine and cases of osteomyelitis in children. Health Minister Sasho Klevkovski stated that the specific batches in use in North Macedonia (from 2022 and 2023) have already been exhausted and no adverse reactions have been documented locally.

To ensure the continuity of immunization, the Ministry of Health has reached an agreement with UNICEF to procure a one-year supply of BCG vaccines from a Japanese manufacturer. Officials emphasized that delaying vaccination for newborns will not cause long-term harm and urged parents to continue following the immunization calendar.

Separately, the Ministry is preparing for seasonal influenza vaccinations to begin in late October. While 56,000 doses are secured, officials are working to acquire an additional 80,000 doses for high-risk groups. Additionally, new regulations regarding sick leave are being implemented, reducing the period during which general practitioners can approve leave from seven to five days to curb reported abuses.