Does anyone have a policy or process for TB testing requirements in children who received a COVID vaccine in the 4 weeks prior to requesting a TB Test? Here in Columbus, Ohio, school districts require TB clearance at the time of school
enrollment for children who traveled or emigrated from TB endemic countries. Our clinic provides/coordinates testing and treatment for these children. It works quite well and it is rare for a child to be excluded from school.
At issue is the lack of guidance for children who receive COVID vaccine prior to a TB test. Should the process mirror that of health care workers or do we disregard the COVID vaccination and do the TB test as usual? Should school enrollment
(and attendance) proceed with provisional approval after TB evaluation? Should children be excluded from school if they do not complete a second test? Of note: schools do not require COVID vaccine, but they do require TB clearance.
For reference, CDC guidance acknowledges the vaccine probably does not have an impact on the reliability of the test result, but they recommend the following process for HCW.
·
Test HCW for TB at the time of hire
o
Unvaccinated employees or employees who received COVID vaccine over 4 weeks prior to date of TB test, start work per usual process
o
Employees who received COVID vaccine ≤ 4 weeks prior to the date of TB test
§
May work if they are asymptomatic and the TB test is negative
·
Employees are retested 4 weeks post-second dose or post single-dose, pending on the vaccine
I am interested in the plans other jurisdictions are working on….
Thanks ahead of time for respondents!
Maureen
Maureen Murphy-Weiss, BSN, RN
Director, Ben Franklin TB Program
Columbus Public Health
(614) 645-6518
Columbus Public Health
240 Parsons Ave, Columbus, OH 43215
www.publichealth.columbus.gov
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