bcg vaccine: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2 (very low frequency, specialist/medical)Formal, Medical/Technical
Quick answer
What does “bcg vaccine” mean?
A vaccine for tuberculosis.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A vaccine for tuberculosis.
A vaccine made from a weakened strain of Mycobacterium bovis, used primarily against tuberculosis (TB), especially in children and in countries with high TB prevalence. Its effectiveness varies and it offers partial protection against severe forms of the disease.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning or usage. Spelling of related terms may differ (e.g., 'immunisation' vs. 'immunization').
Connotations
Technical/medical term with no regional connotative differences.
Frequency
Equally low frequency in both varieties, confined to medical and public health contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “bcg vaccine” in a Sentence
The [patient/child] received the BCG vaccine.The [country/clinic] administers the BCG vaccine to [group].A [doctor/nurse] gave the BCG vaccination.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “bcg vaccine” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The BCG vaccination programme is standard for newborns in some regions.
- He has a distinctive BCG scar on his upper arm.
American English
- The BCG vaccine protocol differs from other immunization schedules.
- BCG vaccination is not routinely recommended in the US.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Used in medical, public health, and epidemiological research (e.g., 'The efficacy of the BCG vaccine was studied in a cohort.')
Everyday
Rare, only when discussing personal or child medical history (e.g., 'Did you have the BCG jab at school?')
Technical
Core usage. Found in clinical guidelines, patient records, and pharmaceutical literature.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “bcg vaccine”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “bcg vaccine”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “bcg vaccine”
- Using 'BCG' as a standalone noun without 'vaccine' or 'vaccination' in non-technical contexts (e.g., 'I got a BCG' is informal).
- Incorrect capitalisation: 'bcg vaccine' should be 'BCG vaccine'.
- Adding an unnecessary article: 'a BCG vaccine' (only correct when referring to a specific dose, e.g., 'a dose of the BCG vaccine').
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is not 100% effective. It provides variable protection, primarily against severe forms of TB like meningitis in children, but is less effective against pulmonary TB in adults.
The BCG vaccine is often administered intradermally (into the skin), which typically causes a small local reaction, pustule, and subsequent scar as part of the normal immune response.
Routinely, no. It is not part of the standard childhood immunization schedule in the US due to the low risk of TB and because it can interfere with the tuberculin skin test used for diagnosis.
It is most commonly administered shortly after birth or in early childhood, especially in countries with a high burden of tuberculosis.
A vaccine for tuberculosis.
Bcg vaccine is usually formal, medical/technical in register.
Bcg vaccine: in British English it is pronounced /ˌbiː siː ˈdʒiː ˈvæksiːn/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌbi si ˈdʒi ˈvækˌsin/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
BCG: 'B'efore 'C'ontacting 'G'erms – a vaccine given early to protect against TB germs.
Conceptual Metaphor
PROTECTION IS A SHIELD (The BCG vaccine acts as a shield against tuberculosis).
Practice
Quiz
What does 'BCG' in 'BCG vaccine' stand for?