Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG)

Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) is a vaccine primarily used to protect against tuberculosis (TB), a serious infectious disease. Developed in the early 20th century by Albert Calmette and Camille Guérin, it contains a weakened strain of the bacterium Mycobacterium bovis, which helps the immune system recognize and fight TB. BCG is especially important in countries with high TB rates and is also used in some cases to treat bladder cancer. The vaccine’s effectiveness varies, but it plays a crucial role in public health strategies to control TB worldwide.