407.002

East Heaf test apparatus in plastic case, circa 1970.

Production date

circa 1970

Labels

The Heaf test is a skin test which was used until 2005 to reveal whether children and adolescents required the BCG vaccine against tuberculosis. The instrument has six short needles which injected a testing serum into the skin. The puncture site would then be re-examined 2-7 days later, and the level of blistering or papules (bumps) would reveal whether the patient had previously experienced some form of TB and had developed immunity. Those who had not would be referred for follow-up, e.g. an x-ray and the BCG vaccine.