Many parents worry in Japan about whether or not to give their baby the BCG (Tuberculosis) vaccination. One of the reasons is that it can leave a 9-hole scar on your baby’s forearm, which of course everyone would like to avoid! We personally decided to go ahead with the vaccination, as we are living in Japan long-term and chose to follow the Japanese vaccination schedule for our baby. So, just to give you an idea, here is a video and some photos to show our baby’s BCG scar after nearly 1.5 years. Every baby tends to scar differently though, so this is just one example.
*****************************************************
日本にいる多くの親は、自分の子供にBCGワクチンを受けさせるかどうか悩んでいることと思います。その理由として、二の腕の目立つところに、９個もハリの跡が残るということ。親としてはできればこれはさけたいところです。私たちは、日本に住んでいるし、この先も日本にいることになるので、日本のルールに従ってワクチンを受けることにしました。接種から約１年半後、キズがどうなっているかについての動画と写真を公開します。参考になれば幸いです。ただし、これは一例であることをご理解ください。
Sign up for my latest news about traveling with a baby in Tokyo and insights into my members section. After signing up, please check your inbox to confirm your subscription!
Thank you for sharing! Did you use any creams or anything on your baby’s arm to make the scars fade away?
Hi Amina, I just used baby moisturizer once a day after his bath. I’m not sure if this helped, but I think it at least kept the area on his arm soft and moisturized:)
Hi.Love your blog I live in Japan and my baby had his BCG vacvine today.the horror…the doctor pushed realy hard the stamp in his skin ..I was feeling her power while she was stamping him.Do you know if it is normal?I hope she didn’t do it too deep to apear any infection.
Great set of photos. Thanks! I will have a read of the rest of your blog.
Our little boy had his BCG 2.5 months ago and it has started to look very red so seeing the same thing in your little one is reassuring.
Thanks for all your articles.This is my first reference as we are in Japan . Eventhough I am in Nagoya, your blogs helped me every time when I have doubts on baby products, vaccinations and so on. Keep on sharing!
Thank you Ameya!! xx Kate
Hi Kate! Thanks for sharing this information. How does the scar look on your baby now? Supposedly with this type of “stamping” procedure, there will be no/little scars. I was wondering if all clinics in Tokyo uses this procedure? Can you recommend a good one for foreigners?
Hi Michelle, the scar on both of my children is invisible now. Thankfully! Most kids have the BCG at their local ward clinic. If you ask at the kuyakusho (city hall) they will be able to tell you where to get the BCG in your area. Best wishes, Kate
I’ve been in japan for four years now and we foolishly avoided it at the 5-8 months due to worry over the pain and scarring. Wishing now that we had done it at this age as it would have gone unnoticed by bambino. Today he is two and half and we are doing it. I’m anxious about how he’s going to take it and pain after, fewer, side effects, symptoms etc. any feedback? Thank you so much, Dawn x
Thank you so much! I was just wondering about the scaring and very glad i found this information. Definitely helped toput my mind at ease.