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Contribution of Dr. Albert Calmette in Field of Pediatrics

Kandalkar Suyash Sarjerao, Kasumbiwal Ajay H, Dake Mangesh V, Birajdar Shailaja B

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Attribution-Non-commercial 4.0 International (CC BY-NC 4.0)

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Pediatric Education and Research 13(2 (Special Supplement -I)):p 209-212, July-December 2025. | DOI: 10.21088/per.2321.1644.13225.40

How Cite This Article:

Kasumbiwal Ajay H., Dake Mangesh V., Birajdar Shailaja B., et al. Contribution of Dr. Albert Calmette in Field of Pediatrics. Pediatr. Edu. Res. 2025; 13(2): 209-212.

Timeline

Received : December 18, 2025         Accepted : December 20, 2025          Published : December 30, 2025

Abstract

Albert Calmette (1863–1933) was a French physician, bacteriologist and immunologist who made a transformative contribution to pediatric medicine through his development of the Bacillus Calmette–Guérin (BCG) vaccine, the first effective immunization against tuberculosis. Working closely with Camille Guérin, Calmette spent more than a decade attenuating Mycobacterium bovis to create a safe, weakened strain capable of stimulating immunity without causing disease. This achievement was especially significant for pediatrics, as tuberculosis was a leading cause of death among infants and young children in the early twentieth century. The first neonatal administration of the BCG vaccine in 1921 marked a major milestone in child health. Its success quickly prompted widespread adoption, particularly in regions heavily burdened by pediatric tuberculosis. By offering early-life protection, the vaccine reduced severe childhood forms of the disease, including miliary tuberculosis and tuberculous meningitis, which had previously carried high mortality rates. Calmette’s dedication to creating a practical, scalable, and child-safe vaccine laid the foundation for global pediatric tuberculosis prevention. Today, BCG remains one of the most widely administered vaccines worldwide, reflecting the enduring impact of his work on child health. Key Message: Albert Calmette’s work highlights perseverance, ethical responsibility, and global collaboration in science. His development of the BCG vaccine revolutionized public health, saving millions of children’s lives and proving that long-term dedication leads to transformative medical breakthroughs

References

  • 1.   Calmette, A., & Guérin, C. (1927). La vaccination préventive contre la tuberculose par le BCG. Masson.
  • 2.   Daniel, T.M. (2005). The history of tuberculosis. Respiratory Medicine, 99(11), 3–7.
  • 3.   López, M. (2017). Albert Calmette and the BCG vaccine. Journal of the History of Medicine and Allied Sciences, 72(4), 435–456.
  • 4.   World Health Organization. (2018). BCG vaccine: WHO position paper.
  • 5.   Moulin, A.M. (1992). L’aventure du BCG. Fayard.
  • 6.   Smith, K.C. (1990). Albert Calmette (1863– 1933): The man behind the BCG vaccine. Tubercle and Lung Disease, 71(3), 157–165

Data Sharing Statement

There are no additional data available. All raw data and code are available upon request.

Funding

This research received no funding.

Author Contributions

All authors contributed significantly to the work and approve its publication.

Ethics Declaration

This article does not involve any human or animal subjects, and therefore does not require ethics approval.

Acknowledgements

We would like to express our gratitude to the patients, their families, and all those who have contributed to this study.

Conflicts of Interest

The authors report no conflicts of interest in this work.

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Cite this article

Kasumbiwal Ajay H., Dake Mangesh V., Birajdar Shailaja B., et al. Contribution of Dr. Albert Calmette in Field of Pediatrics. Pediatr. Edu. Res. 2025; 13(2): 209-212.

Licence:

Attribution-Non-commercial 4.0 International (CC BY-NC 4.0)

This license enables reusers to distribute, remix, adapt, and build upon the material in any medium or format for noncommercial purposes only, and only so long as attribution is given to the creator.

Received Accepted Published
December 18, 2025 December 20, 2025 December 30, 2025
DOI: 10.21088/per.2321.1644.13225.40

Keywords

BCG vaccineNeonatal immunizationPediatric tuberculosisMycobacterium miliary tuberculosis

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Timeline

Received December 18, 2025
Accepted December 20, 2025
Published December 30, 2025

licence

Attribution-Non-commercial 4.0 International (CC BY-NC 4.0)

This license enables reusers to distribute, remix, adapt, and build upon the material in any medium or format for noncommercial purposes only, and only so long as attribution is given to the creator.


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