Data analysis of the tuberculous infection investigation and of the first programme of vaccination with intradermic BCG- among schoolchildren in S. Paulo, Brazil: 1971 to 1974

Abstract

The results of tuberculinic sensitivity investigation and vaccination of the non reactors with intradermic BCG among schoolchildren in the first grades of the S. Paulo Municipal Schools over a period of four years is presented. The data obtained showed rates that varied between 1.6 and 3.0% for weak reactors and 6.6 and 7.6% for strong reactors. Vaccination was performed on 129,784 children, corresponding to 89.7% of the 144,641 non reactors. The investigation of the tuberculinic turn-over after vaccination was done by sampling and showed, throughout the years, rates which varied from 85.6 to 96.1% of convertees. Of these, 7.8 to 21.4 showed weak reactions and 64.2 to 88.3%, strong reactions. These data give some important informations on the epidemiological situation of Tuberculosis among us and demonstrate the viability of vaccination with intradermic BCG as a measure of Public Health.