Surprising Science — June 4, 2011

British Babies Face TB Jab

British public health officials are drawing up plans to vaccinate all babies against tuberculosis amid concern over soaring rates of infection, particularly in London.

bigthinkeditor

What’s the Latest Development?

Babies would be vaccinated against tuberculosis within six weeks of birth under a plan designed to abate soaring rates of infection in Britain. The number of cases has risen by 50 per cent in the past decade and NHS officials fear it is becoming out of control. Family doctors would also be encouraged to test for the disease in all new patients, particularly those from countries with very high TB infection rates.

What’s the Big Idea?

“The public needs to know it is not beaten. The risk is low but in London there are some bits where you could call it endemic,” said Onn Min Kon, a consultant at St Mary’s Hospital, London and clinical adviser for the London TB Plan. “You go to Joe Public and he thinks that TB is a beaten disease and it’s not a concern.”

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