Frontline Worker Perspectives on Adult BCG Vaccination in a Tribal District of Jharkhand, India

Year: 2025; Volume: 5; Issue: 4; Page No: 13 – 16

Article Type:  Short Communication

Authors:  Sudharsan  Vasudevan^1*, Mohan Mundu²

https://doi.org/10.55349/ijmsnr.2025541316

Affiliations: 

¹World Health Organization NTEP Consultant, Jharkhand, India.

²District Program Coordinator, NTEP, Khunti, Jharkand, India.

Article Summary:     Submitted: 11-October-2025      Revised: 20-October-2025      Accepted: 28-November-2025      Published: 31-December-2025

Abstract

Background:  The Bacillus Calmett Guérin vaccine (BCG), which was traditionally given to infants, is being increasingly considered for administration to adults in areas where tuberculosis is a significant concern. There is a lack of information regarding feasibility and acceptability studies of this vaccine especially in rural and tribal areas and this study tries to bridge the understanding to improve the uptake and efficiency of adult BCG vaccination campaign.

Materials and Methods:  Focus group discussions (FGDs) were held with personnel from the following groups: Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHAs), Auxiliary Nurse Midwives (ANMs), Medical Officers (MOs), and National TB Elimination Programme (NTEP) staff. An inductive analysis was done to extract perceptions of difficulties and working-related aspects of adult BCG vaccination.

Results:  Themes identified were lack of awareness about BCG in adults, stigma of TB and hesitancy towards immunization, operational and human resource constraints, including poor line listing and mapping of beneficiaries, and short expiry of the provided vaccines. Comparisons were identified between cadres in terms of priorities for overcoming barriers. Barriers were identified to be within individual, community, and healthcare system.

Conclusion:  BCG vaccination of adults in the tribal regions was felt to be socially and operationally challenging, but the acceptance grew as awareness though community campaigns and one on one interactions improved.

Key Words:  bacillus calmett guérin vaccine, frontline worker, adult, tribal district, perceptions, India

Source of funding:  This study did not receive any external funding

Conflict of Interest: None

Corresponding Author:

Dr. Sudharsan Vasudevan,

World Health Organization NTEP Consultant,

Jharkhand, India.

Email ID: thisisme0vs0@gmail.com

ORCID:  https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1592-8170

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