The tuberculosis vaccine is the BCG (Bacille Calmette-Guérin) and it is not given in the United States. There have been questions regarding its effectiveness. Side effects include local pain, swollen glands, discharging ulcer, abscesses, tuberculosis, and a number of deaths.

Following the vaccine, a person will have a positive TB test for a while. A positive reaction on a skin test after someone has recently had the BCG vaccine is not considered reliable.