May 12, 2018
BCG Vaccination in Japan
Even after my English speaking nurse at the hospital diligently explained how the BCG vaccine is administered in Japan I was still left worried and nervous.
In the west the vaccine is administered soon after birth by a single needle while here in Japan at 5-6 months with a stamp-like mechanism ( two times) with 9 small needles in it.
I know the the importance of being vaccinated against Tuberculosis so I never thought of skipping it but was really concerned about the initial pain for such a tiny person and the fact that he would be ‘stamped’ twice.
I did not take a pic right after the vaccination because I was too distraught from trying to calm him down. There was no visible sign for the first week, and apparently it wasn’t as painful ( or so it seemed) as when it was just administered.
Here are a few pictures of the site at different intervals.
Additionally I was told it will take about 4 months to heal completely so I’m watching and waiting for the healing.
Hi! I’m an educator/stay-at-home mom with an educator husband, a teenage daughter and six months old son. I loooove to cook, gets excited about curries and have a serious weakness for pastry especially cakes! Enjoy being outdoors, reading and sewing.
4 Comments
helloalissa
on May 13
I didn't realize that was for a vaccination. I've seen preschool & elementary school kids with scars that look like that and thought it was from an allergy test because there are so many bumps. It's so strange and unfortunate that they administer the vaccines this way & I hope his doesn't leave a scar.
Candiajia1
on May 13
@helloalissa: I certainly hope it won’t leave a scar or at worst one that looks really bad. From our BCG given in the west there is a scar that is very visible. The only difference is that it is a single one.
Lyssays
on May 14
Gah, I've got no idea why they use the "stamp" style needle. Scarring aside, it just seems needlessly painful. I'm going to have to put my daughter through it in a couple of months :( Anyway, my son is two and a half and his scar is barely visible now, only noticeable if you're looking for it.
Candiajia1
on May 14
@Lyssays it was a very traumatizing experience for me. The idea of trying to hold his arm still while he’s screaming from the pain. Horrible experience. Just happybthat he’s through with shots until he gets to 1 year old!