Comparing two types of BCG vaccines for infants

Randomized Trial Evaluating the Non-specific Effects of BCG-Bulgaria and BCG-Denmark in Guinea-Bissau: Effects on Mortality, Morbidity, and BCG Skin Reactions

Phase 4 Interventional Bandim Health Project · NCT05397678

This study is testing which of two BCG vaccine types is better for keeping infants healthy and reducing deaths in babies under one year old.

Quick facts

PhasePhase 4
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment15000 (estimated)
Ages0 Days to 1 Year
SexAll
SponsorBandim Health Project Academic / other
Locations1 site (Bissau)
Trial IDNCT05397678 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This trial is a two-year randomized controlled trial conducted at the maternity ward of Hospital Simão Mendes in Bissau, Guinea-Bissau, aiming to compare the effects of two BCG vaccine strains, BCG-Denmark and BCG-Bulgaria, on infant mortality and morbidity. The study will enroll 15,000 healthy infants under one year of age and assess outcomes such as mortality rates and case-fatality rates during hospital admissions. Additionally, it will explore the relationship between maternal BCG vaccination status and infant health outcomes, as well as the characteristics of skin reactions to the vaccines.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this study are healthy infants under one year of age who are vaccinated at the HNSM maternity ward.

Not a fit: Infants who have already received either BCG or oral polio vaccine, or those who are critically ill, may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this study could lead to improved vaccination strategies that significantly reduce infant mortality and morbidity.

How similar studies have performed: Previous studies have indicated potential benefits of different BCG strains, but this specific comparison is novel.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion criteria:

- Healthy infants under one year of age who are vaccinated at the HNSM maternity ward.

Exclusion criteria:

* Infants who have already received either BCG or oral polio vaccine (OPV)
* Infants who are moribund due to gross malformation or acute illness (about to die or be transferred to the pediatric ward according to the local health physician assessment); the latter children can be recruited when they are discharged from the pediatric ward or the neonatal intensive care unit.

Where this trial is running

Bissau

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Conditions DeathNeonatalDeath, InfantMorbidityNewbornInfantNon-specific Effects of VaccinesBacillus Calmette-Guérin
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.