Should family members of someone with tuberculosis get vaccinated?

Generally, whether family members of a person with tuberculosis (TB) should receive vaccination depends on their immune status. Susceptible individuals who have not been infected and have low immunity are advised to get vaccinated, while those already infected or with effective immunity do not need vaccination. The detailed analysis is as follows:

Infants, elderly people, diabetic patients, and those taking immunosuppressive drugs long-term belong to high-risk susceptible groups with relatively weak resistance. They face a higher risk of infection when in close contact with TB patients. It is recommended that these individuals receive the BCG vaccine or consult a doctor for risk assessment and protective measures. The BCG vaccine can reduce the likelihood of severe infection and establish a basic protective barrier.

If relatives have previously completed standard BCG vaccination and have normal immune function, or have been confirmed via testing to have had TB infection that has since been cured, they have already developed specific immunity and therefore do not require revaccination.

In daily life, proper household protection measures should be taken: the patient should live in a separate room and wear a mask; rooms should be regularly ventilated and disinfected; utensils should be used individually and boiled periodically for disinfection. Family members should develop good hygiene habits such as frequent handwashing and avoiding spitting in public, maintain regular sleep patterns to strengthen immunity, and undergo regular lung health check-ups to reduce the risk of infection.