Though early BCG did not reduce infant mortality significantly, it may have a beneficial effect in the neonatal period. This could be important for public health because BCG is often delayed in low-income countries.

SummaryWe conducted the present trial to test whether early BCG-Denmark reduces mortality rate in low-weight (LW) neonates. We found that early administration of BCG-Denmark in LW infants is associated with major reductions in mortality rate.

Neonates were randomized to oral polio vaccine (OPV) and followed for mortality. Among those enrolled within the first 2 days, OPV was associated with a 42% (10%–62%) reduction in infant infectious disease mortality. OPV at birth may provide nonspecific protection against infections.