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. 1993 Aug;111(1):21–25. doi: 10.1017/s0950268800056636

Protective efficacy of BCG vaccine against leprosy in southern Malaŵi.

D M Baker 1, J S Nguyen-Van-Tam 1, S J Smith 1
PMCID: PMC2271193  PMID: 8348929

Abstract

This paper describes a matched case-control study to determine the efficacy of BCG vaccine in preventing the occurrence of leprosy in southern Malaŵi, a previously unstudied area. The BCG immunization rate amongst 145 individuals with leprosy was 44.8%, compared to 62.5% in 290 matched controls. The protective efficacy of BCG vaccine against leprosy in this region was estimated to be 63.6%; smallpox immunization had no effect. These findings support the view that BCG vaccine should be considered as a control measure in areas where leprosy is endemic.

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Selected References

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