It has been proposed that certain viral and bacterial infections in early childhood may prevent allergic sensitization, by inducing Th1‐type immune responses. This has led to speculation that mycobacterial vaccines might, through their Th1‐stimulating properties, also protect against atopy.

To investigate whether the prevalence of atopy is lower in children who have been vaccinated with BCG in infancy than in children who have not been vaccinated.

We measured skin test reactivity to three allergens (Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus, D. farinae and cockroach) in 400 children, aged 3–14 years, as part of a follow‐up study to examine the immune sequelae of measles in an urban area of Bissau, the capital of Guinea‐Bissau in west Africa. Information on childhood vaccinations, including BCG in infancy, was available from child records. Of these children, 271 had been vaccinated with BCG (according to records) and 53 had not been vaccinated (no record and no BCG scar). Atopy was defined in two ways, according to the presence of any allergen reaction ≥ 2 mm and any reaction ≥ 3 mm.

Of the children who had received BCG vaccine, 57 (21%) were atopic (any reaction ≥ 2 mm), compared with 21 (40%) of the unvaccinated children [odds ratio, after controlling for potential confounding factors, 0.19 (95% CI 0.06–0.59)]. When atopy was defined using the 3‐mm criterion, the reduction in atopy associated with BCG was greater the earlier the age at vaccination, and the largest reduction was seen in children vaccinated in the first week of life.

BCG vaccination given early in infancy may prevent the development of atopy in African children.