The country has stopped using the BSG vaccine batches from 2022 and 2023 that are alleged to cause side effects, Macedonian Minister of Health Sasho Klekovski said Wednesday, following Croatia’s decision to suspend its use of the BCG vaccine made by Bulgarian company Bul Bio NCIPD Ltd. over suspected quality defects.
According to Klekovski, both batches expired and were fully out of use several months ago. Even though there have been no reported side effects nationwide, the Ministry of Health’s Immunization Commission and Public Health Institute will check the electronic healthcare system for any unreported complications, the minister said.
The health minister also said that the state, to prevent a shortage of the important vaccine, was procuring a one-year supply from a Japanese manufacturer in coordination with UNICEF.
“We will organize the transport to Macedonia as quickly as possible so we make sure newborn vaccinations continue uninterrupted,” Klekovski said. He added that although the BCG vaccine was usually given right after birth, a short delay was safe and should not cause health problems.