Four children had serious side effects after the BCG vaccine. Capak: We are considering stopping routine vaccination
The Croatian Institute of Public Health (HZJZ) is considering halting routine BCG vaccinations for newborns due to four reported serious adverse reactions involving bone or spinal infections in children vaccinated between 2024 and early 2025. These incidents occurred after the temporary suspension of the vaccine produced by Bulgarian manufacturer Bul Bio NCIPD Ltd. The institute has confirmed that the bacteria responsible originated from the vaccine itself. Officials are awaiting evaluation results from the Bulgarian agency and expert opinions from medical societies before making a decision. Previously, similar discussions were held but rejected due to opposition from professional groups. Croatia currently reports around seven tuberculosis cases per 100,000 people, which is low enough to consider shifting from universal vaccination to targeted immunization for high-risk groups. Routine BCG vaccinations are currently paused nationwide due to the lack of an alternative product.
Croatia is considering ending its universal infant vaccination program against tuberculosis, following concerns over serious adverse effects linked to the BCG vaccine. Health officials have confirmed four cases of severe complications, osteomyelitis, or bone inflammation, in infants who received the vaccine, prompting a review of the current immunization strategy. According to the Croatian Institute for Public Health (HZJZ), all four incidents involve bacteria traced back to the vaccine itself, though the exact cause of these complications remains under investigation. The issue has emerged amid a temporary halt in the use of the Bulgarian-manufactured BCG vaccine, Bul Bio NCIPD Ltd. Four suspected cases were reported during 2026 involving children vaccinated in 2024 and early 2025. While the manufacturer initially claimed two of the affected infants had received ten times the standard dose, HZJZ investigators have ruled out such errors after verifying data entries into the European database system. Instead, they identified a data input mistake regarding dosage records. Prof. Dr. Siniša Tomić, director of HALMED, stated that the institute examined all four cases and concluded the bacterial infections originated directly from the vaccine. He emphasized the need to investigate whether the clustering of these adverse events stems from intrinsic issues with the vaccine itself or external factors. Additional reports of suspected side effects have been submitted since the suspension, totaling around 20 more cases requiring further analysis. Meanwhile, discussions continue within medical communities about shifting from universal BCG vaccination to targeted immunization based on individual risk assessments. This approach would see only children deemed at higher risk of tuberculosis receive the vaccine, while others would not. Prof. Dr. Krunoslav Capak, head of HZJZ, noted that this shift is being considered alongside consultations with pulmonology and pediatric societies, which remain divided on the topic. Croatia currently records approximately seven tuberculosis cases per 100,000 residents, placing it among countries with low incidence rates. However, there has been a slight increase in tuberculosis cases among newborns born outside Croatia, particularly from Nepal, India, and the Philippines. This rise is attributed to the influx of foreign workers from regions with significantly higher tuberculosis prevalence. Capak highlighted that previous attempts to transition away from universal vaccination were abandoned due to increased migration and labor inflows. Now, with the current situation and pending evaluation from Bulgarian regulatory authorities, the possibility of selective vaccination is being revisited. The temporary suspension of BCG vaccinations has led to a pause in routine immunizations at maternity clinics until alternative vaccines become available. Despite this, the overall safety profile of the BCG vaccine remains largely intact, with no prior reports of similar complications in Croatia over several decades. The HZJZ awaits formal findings from Bulgarian health regulators before making any final decisions on future vaccination policies.
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Croatia is considering ending its universal BCG vaccination program against tuberculosis and shifting to selective immunization for high-risk newborns. Medical experts are divided on this potential change. Recent investigations into four cases of bone inflammation linked to the vaccine revealed that a Bulgarian manufacturer had incorrectly reported higher doses in two instances. However, the Croatian health authority confirmed that the vaccine met all quality standards and there were no issues with the cold chain. Further research is needed to determine whether the clustering of adverse event reports was due to intrinsic factors in the vaccine or other causes. Meanwhile, discussions continue among medical professionals about whether to abandon universal BCG vaccinations in favor of targeted immunization based on individual risk assessments.
Bias read (Center): The article presents both sides of the debate regarding changes to the BCG vaccination policy, including quotes from multiple medical professionals with differing opinions. It does not exhibit clear bias toward one side, nor does it use loaded language or selectively omit information. The focus is a
The Croatian Institute of Public Health (HZJZ) is considering stopping routine BCG vaccinations for newborns due to four reported serious adverse effects linked to the vaccine. The decision comes after a temporary halt in the use of a Bulgarian-produced vaccine, Bul Bio NCIPD Ltd., following reports of severe side effects such as bone or spinal infections in children vaccinated in 2024 and early 2025. All four cases confirmed the presence of the BCG bacteria originating from the vaccine. The HZJZ is awaiting an evaluation from the Bulgarian agency and opinions from medical societies before making a final decision. Previously, similar discussions were held but rejected by medical experts. Croatia has a low tuberculosis incidence rate, around seven cases per 100,000 people, which may allow shifting from universal vaccination to targeted immunization for high-risk groups.
Bias read (Center): The article presents factual information about a potential change in public health policy regarding BCG vaccinations. It includes quotes from officials, mentions ongoing evaluations, and provides context about the current situation without overtly favoring any particular stance. The framing remains
The Croatian Institute of Public Health (HZJZ) is considering halting routine BCG vaccinations for newborns due to four reported serious adverse effects involving bone or spinal infections in children vaccinated in 2024 and early 2025. The temporary suspension of vaccine use follows concerns over a Bulgarian manufacturer’s product, Bul Bio NCIPD Ltd. All four cases confirmed the presence of the BCG bacteria, which originated from the vaccine. HZJZ is awaiting an evaluation from the Bulgarian agency and opinions from medical societies before deciding whether to continue the vaccination program. Currently, BCG vaccinations are paused nationwide due to the lack of an alternative vaccine supply.
Bias read (Center): The article presents factual information about a health policy decision being considered by the Croatian Institute of Public Health. It includes quotes from officials, mentions the scientific findings, and outlines the current status of the situation without overtly favoring any side. The framing is
The Croatian Institute of Public Health (HZJZ) is considering halting routine BCG vaccinations for newborns due to four reported serious adverse reactions involving bone or spinal infections in children vaccinated between 2024 and early 2025. These incidents occurred after the temporary suspension of the vaccine produced by Bulgarian manufacturer Bul Bio NCIPD Ltd. The institute has confirmed that the bacteria responsible originated from the vaccine itself. Officials are awaiting evaluation results from the Bulgarian agency and expert opinions from medical societies before making a decision. Previously, similar discussions were held but rejected due to opposition from professional groups. Croatia currently reports around seven tuberculosis cases per 100,000 people, which is low enough to consider shifting from universal vaccination to targeted immunization for high-risk groups. Routine BCG vaccinations are currently paused nationwide due to the lack of an alternative product.
Bias read (Center): The article presents factual information about the health authority's consideration of halting a vaccination program based on reported adverse effects. It includes quotes from officials, mentions ongoing evaluations, and provides context about current disease rates and previous decisions. There is a
The Croatian Institute of Public Health (HZJZ) is considering stopping routine BCG vaccinations for newborns due to four reported serious adverse effects linked to the vaccine. The temporary suspension of the vaccine, produced by a Bulgarian manufacturer, follows reports of bone or spinal infections in children vaccinated in 2024 and early 2025. All four cases confirmed the presence of the BCG bacteria originating from the vaccine. The HZJZ is awaiting an evaluation from the Bulgarian agency and opinions from medical societies before deciding whether to continue the vaccination program. Previously, medical societies opposed ending the routine vaccination, but current discussions focus on whether epidemiological conditions justify shifting from universal vaccination to targeted immunization for high-risk groups. Routine BCG vaccinations are currently paused nationwide due to the suspension of the vaccine and lack of alternative products.
Bias read (Center): The article presents factual information about the potential change in vaccination policy based on medical evaluations and expert consultations. It does not exhibit clear bias toward any political stance, focusing instead on health concerns and procedural considerations.
The Croatian Institute of Public Health (HZJZ) is considering stopping routine BCG vaccinations for newborns due to concerns over serious side effects linked to the vaccine. This decision comes after four reported cases of severe adverse reactions, including bone or spinal infections, among children vaccinated in 2024 and early 2025. The institute is awaiting evaluation results from Bulgarian regulatory authorities and opinions from medical associations before making a final decision. Currently, BCG vaccinations are paused nationwide while investigations continue. The HZJZ has previously discussed the possibility of ending routine vaccination but was opposed by medical societies at the time. Croatia has a low tuberculosis incidence rate, which may support shifting from universal vaccination to targeted immunization for high-risk groups.
Bias read (Center): The article presents factual information about a potential change in public health policy regarding BCG vaccinations. It includes quotes from officials, mentions ongoing evaluations, and outlines both the risks and the current low tuberculosis incidence rate. There is no evident ideological framing,
The Croatian Institute for Public Health (HZJZ) is considering stopping routine BCG vaccinations for newborns due to concerns over serious side effects linked to a Bulgarian-produced vaccine. Four cases of severe adverse reactions, including bone or spinal infections, were reported in children vaccinated in 2024 and early 2025. The institute is awaiting evaluation from the Bulgarian regulatory agency and opinions from medical societies before making a decision. Croatia has recorded approximately seven tuberculosis cases per 100,000 residents, a low rate that may justify shifting from universal vaccination to targeted immunization for high-risk groups. Routine BCG vaccinations have been paused temporarily due to the suspension of the Bulgarian vaccine and lack of alternative supply.
Bias read (Center): The article presents factual information about a health policy consideration by the Croatian Institute for Public Health, citing official statements and data without apparent ideological framing. It includes balanced perspectives, mentions both the potential risks of the vaccine and the current low率
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