“vaccines ”

Thank you for being aware this important information! If you live in the US your child should not need the TB vaccine. There are few exceptions to this, but for the majority of people in the US, the TB vaccine is not needed.

TB is short for tuberculosis. We do not do a vaccine for TB, but there are recommendations for testing for TB in certain situations, so that is likely what your daycare is requiring. Each state health department has their own guidelines on screening and on who needs to be tested and how often. So depending on your state's guidelines, it may be required for the daycare.

In the US we do not use the TB vaccine as they do in other developing countries. Perhaps the daycare needs TB screening? Some places require screening and if the screening is positive do a skin test or blood test to check for TB.

Tuberculosis (TB) vaccines (called BCG) are used in some parts of the world to prevent severe TB disease, like TB meningitis. Where I practice in the United States, the TB vaccine is only used in rare circumstances where a child is exposed to or especially at risk of TB infection. Much of Central America, South America, Asia, Africa and parts of Europe continue to use the TB vaccine more regularly or in all children. This typically depends on the amount of TB circulating in each country. You can check with a local medical provider or with the local health department to find out more about the use of the TB vaccine in your area.

We don't generally vaccinate against TB, or tuberculosis, in this country. I would clarify with the school which vaccine they are actually referring to. There is a TDap vaccine, which is tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis. There is also testing to check for exposure to TB that is routinely done in the US.