The authors describe 51 cases of local complications due to intradermal BCG vaccination which occurred among 117 533 children between 1974 and 1979, in the city of Niteroi (Rio de Janeiro State). The ages ranged from 0 to 16 years and the lesions observed were abscesses, enlargement of regional lymph nodes, chronic ulceration, and ulceration associated with enlarged lymph nodes. The patients were treated with isoniazid, except 2 who required surgical drainage, with favourable results in all cases.