MINNESOTA DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH DISEASE CONTROL N EWSLETTER Volume 31, Number 2 (pages 13-20) March/April 2003 Recommended Childhood and Adult Immunization Schedules - Minnesota, 2003 In 2003, for the first time in several years, there are no significant changes or modifications to the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) s recommended schedule for childhood immunizations. The schedule, now called the Recommended Childhood and Adolescent Immunization Schedule, includes several minor enhancements to make it easier to use and understand (pages 14-15). The addition of Adolescents in the title reflects the entire population (birth through 18 years of age) covered by the schedule. A companion piece to the childhood and adolescent immunization schedule, the Recommended Adult Immunization Schedule, provides comparable guidelines for persons 19 years of age or older (pages 16-17). This schedule was modified slightly in the fall of 2002 following the withdrawal of the Lyme disease vaccine. The childhood and adult immunization schedules reflect recommendations of national advisory bodies such as the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), the American Academy of Family Physicians, and the American College of Physicians. The MDH Immunization Practices Task Force reviews the schedules and suggests modifications, which are incorporated as appropriate for Minnesota s populations. The childhood schedule is issued annually to incorporate changes as new vaccines are licensed, products change, and recommendations for their use are modified. The adult schedule changes less frequently and is updated as needed. MDH has attempted to consolidate and summarize the recommendations of the various advisory bodies as clearly and succinctly as possible in the Minnesota immunization schedules. Providers also should consult the national recommendations and subsequently published supplemental recommendations as needed. In particular, please be aware of the following points: The charts and guidelines in each schedule must be read together. Refer to the complete ACIP statement for specific circumstances beyond the guidance offered in the MDH schedules. Other resources include the following: American Academy of Pediatrics. Pickering LK, ed. 2000 Red Book: Report of the Committee on Infectious Diseases. 25th ed. Elk Grove Village, IL: American Academy of Pediatrics; 2000. Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Atkinson W, Wolfe C, eds. Epidemiology and Prevention of Vaccine-Preventable Diseases. 7th ed. Washington, DC: Public Health Foundation; 2002. The Minnesota Immunization Hotline (M-F, 9:00 A.M. 12:00 P.M. and 1:00 P.M. 3:00 P.M.), at 612-676-5100 or 1-800-657-3970. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) hotline at 1-800-232-0233. and, Vaccine manufacturers help-lines and package inserts. Both the childhood and adult immunization schedules are available on the MDH website at http:// www.health.state.mn.us/immunize; scroll down to Schedules and Recommendations. Color copies of both schedules are being printed, and MDH will distribute these to all clinics, hospitals, public health agencies, and health plans when they become available in mid- to late April. Additional copies can be ordered by calling the Minnesota Immunization Hotline at 612-676-5100 or 1-800-657-3970, or by e-mailing MDH at immunize@health.state.mn.us. Inside: Newly Approved Blood Test for Diagnosing Latent Tuberculosis Infection: Guidelines for Use of QuantiFERON -TB... 18 DCN Readership Alert and Survey... 19
Recommended Childhood and Adolescent Immunization Schedule - Minnesota, 2003 Chart must be used with guidelines below Range of recommended ages Vaccine Hepatitis B? 1 Age? Birth HBV - 1 1 mo 12345678901234567890123456789012123 12345678901234567890123456789012123 Catch-up vaccination 12345678901234567890123456789012123 2 only if mother is HBsAg(-) 4 6 12 HBV - 2 HBV - 3 15 18 Preadolescent assessment 24 4-6 yrs 11-12 yrs 13-18 yrs 1234567890123456789012345678 1234567890123456789012345678 HBV 1 series Diphtheria, Tetanus, Pertussis 2 Haemophilus influenzae type b 3 DTaP DTaP DTaP 2 DTaP Hib Hib Hib 3 Hib 3 DTaP Td 2 12345678 12345678 12345678 Polio 4 IPV IPV IPV IPV Measles, Mumps, Rubella 5 Varicella 6 Pneumococcal 7 PCV Vaccines below line are for selected populations 8 Hepatitis A PCV PCV MMR - 1 Varicella PCV MMR-2 5 12345678901234 12345678901234 MMR-2 5 1234567890123456789012345678 1234567890123456789012345678 12345678901 12345678901 12345678901 PCV Varicella PPV Hepatitis A series Influenza 9 Influenza (yearly) Guidelines: This schedule indicates the recommended ages for routine administration of currently licensed childhood vaccines, as of January 1, 2003, for children through age 18 years. Any dose not given at the recommended age should be given at any subsequent visit, when indicated and feasible. 123456 : Indicates age groups that warrant special effort to administer those vaccines not previously given. Additional vaccines may be licensed and recommended during the year. Licensed combination vaccines may be used whenever any components of the combination are indicated and the vaccine s other components are not contraindicated. Consult the manufacturers package inserts for detailed recommendations. 1. Hepatitis B vaccine (HBV): All infants should receive HBV-1 soon after birth 4. Polio: Inactivated polio vaccine (IPV) is the only vaccine available in the United and before hospital discharge; the 1st dose also may be given by age 2 if States. the infant s mother is HBsAg-negative. Give HBV-2 >4 wks after HBV-1 and HBV-3 >8 wks after HBV-2 (provided it is >4 since HBV-1 and infant is no 5. Measles, mumps, rubella (MMR): MMR-2 is recommended at 4-6 yrs but may younger than 6 of age). be given during any visit, provided >4 wks have elapsed since MMR-1 and both Infants born to HBsAg-positive mothers should receive 0.5 ml hepatitis B doses are given at >12 of age. immune globulin (HBIG) within 12 hrs of birth and HBV-1 at a separate site. HBV 2 is recommended at 1-2 of age and HBV-3 at 6 of age. 6. Varicella (chickenpox): Varicella vaccine is recommended at any visit at or Infants born to mothers whose HBsAg status is unknown should receive after age 12 for susceptible children - i.e., those who lack a reliable history of HBV-1 within 12 hrs of birth. Maternal blood should be drawn at the time of chickenpox. Susceptible persons age >13 yrs should receive 2 doses given at delivery to determine the mother s HBsAg status. If the HBsAg test is positive, least 4 wks apart. the infant should receive 0.5 ml of HBIG as soon as possible (no later than 1 wk of age). HBV-2 is recommended at 1 mo of age and HBV-3 at 6 of age. 7. Pneumococcal: The heptavalent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV) is Children and adolescents who have not previously received all 3 doses of recommended for all children age 2-23 and for certain children age 24-59 HBV should complete the series, with minimum intervals of 4 wks between HBV-. Pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine (PPV) is recommended, in 1 and HBV-2, and 8 wks between HBV-2 and HBV-3 (and 4 between HBV-1 addition to PCV, for certain high-risk groups. See MMWR 2000;49(RR-9);1-35. and HBV-3). Refer to package insert for alternate 2-dose schedules for adolescents. 8. Hepatitis A: Give hepatitis A vaccine to children and adolescents who are at increased risk of infection, as defined by ACIP*, and consider it for all others >2 2. Diphtheria, tetanus, and acellular pertussis (DTaP): DTaP-4 may be given as yrs of age who wish to obtain immunity. Give a booster >6 after the initial early as 12 of age, if at least 6 have passed since DTaP-3 and the child dose. is considered unlikely to return at 15-18 of age. Td (tetanus and diphtheria toxoids, adsorbed, for adult use) is recommended at 11-12 yrs of age, if at least 9. Influenza: Influenza vaccine is recommended annually for children age >6 5 yrs have passed since the last dose of tetanus and diphtheria-containing vaccine. with certain risk factors (including, but not limited to asthma, cardiac disease, Subsequent routine Td boosters are recommended every 10 yrs. sickle cell disease, HIV, and diabetes) [see MMWR 2002;51(RR-3);1-31]. It can also be administered to all others wishing to obtain immunity. In addition, healthy 3. Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib): Three Hib conjugate vaccines are licensed for infants. If PRP-OMP (PedvaxHIB or Comvax) is given at 2 and 4 of age, a dose at 6 is not required. Do not use DTaP/Hib combination products for the first 3 doses (primary series). Use any Hib conjugate vaccine as a booster. children age 6-23 are encouraged to receive influenza vaccine, if feasible, because they are at substantially increased risk for influenza-related hospitalizations. Children age <12 yrs should receive a dosage appropriate for their age (0.25 ml, if age 6-35 or 0.5 ml, if age >3 yrs). Children aged <8 yrs who are receiving influenza vaccine for the first time should receive 2 doses separated by at least 4 wks. Based on recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), and the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) and endorsed by the Immunization Practices Task Force of the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH). *Questions or need current ACIP recommendations? Web site: www.health.state.mn.us/immunize Call the Minnesota Immunization Hotline at 612-676-5100 or (toll-free) 1-800-657-3970. Minnesota Department of Health, March 2003, IC# 141-0188 14
For Children and Adolescents Who Start Late or Who Are >1 Month Behind For any vaccine given in a series, it is not necessary to start over. Refer to the tables below for the recommended catch-up schedule and minimum intervals between doses. Determine the number of previous doses of each vaccine received, find that number in the first column, and read across to the appropriate column for the next dose(s) and minimum interval(s). Table 1. Catch-up schedule for children 4 months through 6 years of age - must be used with guidelines below. Doses to be given and minimum intervals from previous dose Number of previous doses First dose Second dose Third dose Fourth dose Fifth dose None DTaP DTaP: 4 weeks DTaP: 4 weeks DTaP: 6 months DTaP 7 : 6 months IPV IPV: 4 weeks IPV: 4 weeks IPV 5 : 4 weeks HBV HBV: 4 weeks HBV: 8 weeks and 16 weeks after MMR 2 MMR 2 : 4 weeks first dose One Two Three Four Varicella 3 Hib 1 PCV 1,4 Hib: 4 weeks - if 1st dose given at <12 of age 8 weeks (as final dose) - if 1st dose given at 12-14 of age No further doses needed - if 1st dose given at >15 of age PCV 4 : 4 weeks - if 1st dose given at <12 of age and child is <24 of age 8 weeks (as final dose) - if 1st dose given at >12 of age or child is now 24-59 of age Hib: 4 weeks 6 - if current age <12 8 weeks (as final dose) 6 - if current age >12 and 2nd dose given at age <15 No further doses needed if previous dose given at age >15 PCV 4 : 4 weeks - if child is <12 of age 8 weeks (as final dose) - if child is >12 of age Hib 6 : PCV 4 : 8 weeks (as final dose) - this dose necessary only for children age 12-5 yrs who received 3 doses before age 12 8 weeks (as final dose) - if 3rd dose given at <12 of age Table 2. Catch-up schedule for children 7 through 18 years of age - must be used with guidelines below. Doses to be given and minimum intervals from previous dose Number of previous doses First dose Second dose Third dose Booster dose None Td Td: 4 weeks Td: 6 months Td: If 7-10 yrs of age: IPV 5 6, if 1st dose given at <1 yr of IPV 5 : 4 weeks IPV 5 : 4 weeks age HBV HBV: 4 weeks 5 yrs (but no sooner than age 11 MMR MMR: 4 weeks HBV: 8 weeks and 4 months yrs), if 1st dose given at >1 yr of after 1st dose age Varicella 3 Varicella 3 : 4 weeks If 11-18 yrs of age: One 5 yrs, if 3rd dose given at <7 yrs of age Two 10 years, if 3rd dose given at >7 yrs of age Three IPV 5 Guidelines for Catch-up 1. Hib and/or PCV: Vaccine generally is not recommended for children >5 years of age. 2. MMR: Do not administer MMR vaccine before 12 months of age. Administer 2nd dose of MMR routinely at 4-6 years of age or earlier, if desired. 3. Varicella: Do not administer varicella vaccine before 12 months of age. Give 2-dose series to all susceptible adolescents >13 years of age. 4. PCV: Use Table 1 to determine catch-up scheduling of children at high risk of infection, as well as healthy children <60 months of age who have begun, but not completed, a schedule of PCV. Unvaccinated children 24-59 months of age and at moderate risk of infection need only 1 dose [see MMWR 2000;49(RR-9);1-35]. Consider giving 1 dose to unvaccinated children 36-59 months of age who are not at moderate or high risk of infection, yet wish to obtain immunity. 5. Polio: The 4th dose is not necessary in an all-ipv or all-opv schedule, if the 3rd dose was given after the 4th birthday. If both OPV and IPV were given as part of the series, a total of 4 doses should be given, regardless of the child s current age. Vaccine generally is not recommended for persons >18 years of age. 6. Hib: If PRP-OMP (PedvaxHIB or Comvax) was given for the first 2 doses, no more than 3 doses are needed, with the final dose given at 12-15 months of age and at least 8 weeks after the previous dose. If a 3rd dose of HbOC (HibTiter) or PRP-T (ActHib) is given at >12 months of age, a 4th dose is not needed. 7. DTaP: The 5th dose is not necessary if the 4th dose was given after the 4th birthday. Reporting Adverse Reactions Disease Reporting Report adverse reactions to vaccines through the federal Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System. Report suspected cases of vaccine-preventable diseases to the local For information on reporting reactions following vaccines administered by private clinics, call the 24- health department or to the Minnesota Department of Health, P.O. Box hour national toll-free information line at 1-800-822-7967. Report reactions to vaccine administered in 9441, Minneapolis, MN 55440, 612-676-5414 or (toll-free) 1-877-676- public clinics to the Minnesota Department of Health at 612-676-5414 or (toll-free) 1-877-676-5414. 5414. 15
Vaccine Tetanus, Diphtheria 1 Measles, Mumps, Rubella 2 1-2 doses, if born after 1956 Influenza 3? z Vaccines below line are for selected populations Recommended Adult Immunization Schedule **Chart must be used with guidelines below** Age? 19-44 years 45-49 years 50-64 years 65+ years Booster every 10 years Annually, if at risk or wishing to obtain immunity Annually Pneumococcal 4 1-2 doses for those with risk factors 1-2 doses Hepatitis A 5 Hepatitis B 6 2 doses for those at increased risk of HAV infection and others wishing to obtain immunity 3 doses for those with risk factors Meningococcal 7 Varicella 8 2-dose series for selected groups 1 or more doses for those with risk factors 1. Tetanus and Diphtheria (Td): All previously unvaccinated adults should who use street drugs, persons with chronic liver disease, persons who complete a 3-dose primary series of diphtheria and tetanus toxoids. All work with HAV-infected primates or with HAV in a research setting, and adults for whom 10 years have elapsed since their primary series or persons with clotting factor disorders. since their last booster dose should receive a Td booster. 6. Hepatitis B: Adults at risk for HBV infection include: persons who may 2. Measles, Mumps, Rubella: Adults born before 1957 are considered be exposed to blood or blood products in their work, clients and staff of naturally immune. Adults born in 1957 or later should receive 1 dose of institutions for the developmentally disabled, hemodialysis patients, MMR vaccine. Some adults, such as college students, those working in recipients of factor VIII or IX concentrates, household or sexual contacts health care facilities, and international travelers may need 2 doses given of persons identified as HBsAg-positive, persons who plan to travel or not less than 4 weeks apart. live in parts of the world where HBV infection is common, injecting drug users, sexually active hoexual or bisexual males, sexually active 3. Influenza: Administer influenza vaccine annually to all adults >50 years heterosexual persons with multiple partners or recent episode of an STD, of age; residents of nursing homes and other long-term care facilities; inmates of long-term correctional facilities, and persons of Pacific Islander younger adults with chronic cardiopulmonary disorders, chronic metabolic ethnicity or first-generation immigrants/refugees from countries where diseases (including diabetes), renal dysfunction, hemoglobinopathies, HBV infection is of high/intermediate endemicity. Give a 3-dose series or immunosuppression, as well as to the household members, caregivers, on a schedule of 0, 1, and 6 months. and health care workers of the above. Other adults who wish to reduce their likelihood of becoming ill with influenza also may be vaccinated. 7. Meningococcal: Give quadrivalent polysaccharide meningococcal vaccine (A/C/Y/W-135) to adults with terminal complement component 4. Pneumococcal: Give pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine (PPV) to deficiencies, those with anatomic or functional asplenia, and travelers all adults >65 years of age and those <65 years of age with chronic to countries where meningococcal disease is epidemic (e.g., the cardiovascular disease, chronic pulmonary disease, diabetes mellitus, meningitis belt of sub-saharan Africa) or to Mecca, Saudi Arabia. alcoholism, cirrhosis, CSF leaks, functional or anatomic asplenia, HIV Consider revaccination within 3-5 years for persons who continue to be infection, leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkins disease, multiple myeloma, at high risk of infection (e.g., persons remaining in areas where disease generalized malignancy, chronic renal failure, nephrotic syndrome, or if is epidemic). Providers may consider vaccination of college freshman receiving immunosuppressive chemotherapy. Routine revaccination of who live in dormitories to reduce their slightly increased risk of disease. immunocompetent persons previously vaccinated with 23-valent PPV is not recommended; however, revaccination is recommended if a person 8. Varicella: Administer varicella vaccine to susceptible persons who will was vaccinated >5 years previously and either (1) was <65 years of age have close contact with persons at high risk for serious complications when first vaccinated and is now >65 years of age or (2) is at highest (e.g., health care workers and family contacts of immunocompromised risk for serious pneumococcal infection, as defined by ACIP, or (3) is persons). Consider vaccinating susceptible persons who are at high likely to have a rapid decline in pneumococcal antibody levels. risk of exposure, such as those with occupational risk (e.g., teachers of young children, day care workers, and residents and staff in institutional 5. Hepatitis A: Give 2 doses of hepatitis A vaccine, 6-12 apart, to settings), college students, inmates and staff of correctional institutions, persons who are at increased risk for infection with hepatitis A virus military personnel, non-pregnant women of childbearing age, and (HAV), as well as to food-handlers and others wishing to obtain immunity. international travelers. Vaccination for adults consists of 2 doses given Populations at increased risk include: persons traveling to or working in 4-8 weeks apart. countries with high rates of HAV, men who have sex with men, persons Based on recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) and the American College of Physicians and endorsed by the Immunization Practices Task Force of the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH). *Questions or need current ACIP recommendations? Web site: www.health.state.mn.us/immunize Call the Minnesota Immunization Hotline at 612-676-5100 or (toll-free) 1-800- 657-3970. Minnesota Department of Health, 2002, IC# 141-0316 16
Catch-Up Schedule and Minimum Intervals for Adults For any vaccine given in a series, it is not necesary to start over. Refer to the table below for the recommended catch-up schedule and minimum intervals between doses. Determine the number of previous doses of each vaccine received, find that number in the first column, and read across to the appropriate column for the next dose(s) and minimum interval(s). Doses to be given and minimum intervals from previous dose for adults >19 years of age Number of previous doses First dose Second dose Third dose Booster dose Td Td: 4 weeks after 1st dose Td: 6 months after 2nd dose Td: 10 years after completion of the primary series or since last MMR MMR: 4 weeks after 1st dose booster dose Pneumococcal PPV: 5 years after 1st dose for those who None (PPV) received 1st dose at <65 years of age or who are at highest risk for pneumococcal infection Hepatitis A (HAV) HAV: 6 months after 1st dose Hepatitis B (HBV) HBV: 4 weeks after 1st dose HBV: 8 weeks after 2nd dose and 4 months after 1st dose Varicella Varicella: 4 weeks after 1st dose One Two Three Guidelines for Patients with an Incomplete or Non-existent Vaccine History This catch-up schedule must be used together with the guidelines on page 16. Use all opportunities to assess the vaccination status of adult patients. At age 50 years, give a Td (unless a dose has been given in the previous 10 years) and evaluate for risk factors for pneumococcal and other vaccine-preventable diseases. If patient has started a series (e.g., HBV) but not completed it, continue where he/she left off. Never restart a series of any vaccine (exception: oral typhoid vaccine, in some situations). MMR and varicella vaccines can be given at the same visit. If not given simultaneously, they must be separated by at least 4 weeks. Patients do not need measles, mumps, and/or rubella vaccine if they were born before 1957, have lab evidence of immunity, or (for measles/mumps only) have a physician-diagnosed disease history. Consider vaccinating women born before 1957 who may become pregnant and do not have lab evidence of immunity or physician-diagnosed disease. For adult patients who are refugees or immigrants, provide vaccinations as you would for any other adult patient. Translations of foreign vaccine terms and vaccine products can be found in the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) Provider s Guide to Immunizations or on the MDH web site: www.health.state.mn.us/immunize. Patients 18 years of age or older, including foreign-born adults, do not need polio vaccination, unless they are traveling to a country where wild poliovirus still exists. (See MDH Recommended Immunizations for International Travel.) A Mantoux tuberculin skin test can be administered simultaneously with any live or inactivated vaccine. If the patient already received MMR, the Mantoux test must be delayed for at least 4 weeks after the MMR; if the Mantoux was applied first, MMR or any other vaccine can be given at any time. Count only vaccinations that are well documented (i.e., including month, year, and, preferably, day of vaccination). If no documentation exists, assume the patient is unvaccinated. It is always better to vaccinate when in doubt, rather than miss an opportunity to provide protection. Reporting Adverse Reactions Report adverse reactions to vaccines through the federal Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System. For information on reporting reactions following vaccines administered by private clinics, call the 24-hour national (toll-free) information line at 1-800-822-7967. Report reactions to vaccines administered in public clinics to the Minnesota Department of Health at 612-676-5414 or (toll-free) 1-877-676-5414. Disease Reporting Report suspected cases of vaccine-preventable diseases to the local health department or to the Minnesota Department of Health, P.O. Box 9441, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55440, 612-676-5414 or (toll-free) 1-877-676-5414. 17
Newly Approved Blood Test for Diagnosing Latent Tuberculosis Infection: Guidelines for Use of QuantiFERON -TB Until recently, the only test available to diagnose latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) was the tuberculin skin test (TST). In late 2001, the Food and Drug Administration approved QuantiFERON -TB (QFT), a new diagnostic test for LTBI. Due to limited clinical experience regarding the use of QFT and the absence of a gold standard to confirm LTBI, data to assess the accuracy and beneficial applications of QFT currently are limited. In January 2003, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued interim guidelines for the use of QFT. 1 These guidelines are intended to provide guidance on the use and interpretation of QFT for public health professionals, health care providers, and laboratorians involved in TB prevention and control activities in the United States. Those recommendations are summarized here. QFT, manufactured by Cellestis Limited of Australia, measures immune response to infection with Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) by quantifying the release of interferon-gamma in whole blood in response to stimulation by purified protein derivative. As with the TST, where cutoffs of 5, 10, or 15 millimeters of induration are used to identify a positive TST result for high-, moderate- and low-risk persons, interpretation of QFT results also is stratified by the patient s estimated risk for LTBI. QFT can aid in detecting LTBI among certain populations, including recent immigrants from areas of the world where TB is common, injection drug users, residents and employees of correctional facilities, and health care workers. and limited clinical and laboratory experience with the test. Also, due to insufficient data on the predictive accuracy of QFT in some populations, the CDC guidelines do not support the use of QFT in certain situations in which the TST commonly is employed (e.g., TB contact investigations or evaluation of patients with suspected TB disease). CDC also recommends confirming a positive QFT result with a TST before starting treatment for LTBI, particularly in certain low-risk patients. CDC recommends that QFT can be considered to screen for LTBI in the following circumstances: initial and serial testing of certain persons at an increased risk for LTBI (e.g., recent immigrants, injection drug users, residents and employees of correctional facilities); initial and serial testing of persons who are, by history, at low risk for LTBI but whose future activity might place them at increased risk for exposure, and others eligible for LTBI surveillance programs (e.g., health care workers and military personnel); and, testing of persons for whom screening may be required but who are not considered to have an increased risk for LTBI (e.g., entrance requirements for certain schools and workplaces). Due to a lack of sufficient data on which to base recommendations, CDC currently does NOT recommended QFT for: detection of LTBI after a suspected exposure (e.g., laboratory spill of Mtb) among persons who receive serial testing for LTBI; confirmation of postitive TST results (because injection of tuberculin in tuberculin skin testing might affect subsequent QFT results); or, diagnosis of M. avium complex disease. Consistent with current guidelines for tuberculin skin testing, CDC discourages screening for LTBI among populations at low risk for TB, regardless of whether screening is performed using the TST or QFT. Also, screening for LTBI is recommended only if plans are in place to provide necessary follow-up, including medical evaluation for persons with positive screening results and treatment for persons diagnosed with LTBI. Before QFT testing is contemplated, arrangements should be made with a qualified laboratory to perform the test. The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) TB Prevention and Control Program is not aware of any facility or laboratory in Minnesota that currently uses or performs the QFT test. However, MDH is interested in determining whether any facilities in Minnesota have used QFT (or plan to do so) and in learning from those experiences. If your facility is conducting (or considering implementation of) QFT testing, please contact the MDH TB Program s Nurse Consultant, Deb Sodt, at (612) 676-5421. Advantages of QFT include the facts that it is less subject to reader bias and error than the TST; it is accomplished in a single patient visit; it does not boost immune response in persons with remote LTBI; and, it differentiates between infection with Mtb and Mycobacterium avium, a common nontuberculous mycobacteria. Limitations of QFT include the need to draw blood, the need to process the blood sample within 12 hours after collection, evaluation of persons with sus pected TB disease; assessment of contacts of persons with infectious TB; screening of children less than 17 years of age, pregnant women, or persons with clinical conditions (e.g., HIV infection) that increase the risk for progression of LTBI to TB disease; A fact sheet regarding QFT is available on the CDC website at http:// www.cdc.gov/nchstp/tb/pubs/ tbfactsheets/250103.htm. References: 1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Guidelines for using the QuantiFERON -TB test for diagnosing latent Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection. MMWR 2003;52(No. RR-2):15-18. 18
DCN Readership Alert and Survey The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) Disease Control Newsletter (DCN) has been published for over 20 years. The printed newsletter is mailed free of charge to every licensed physician in Minnesota and to other health care professionals who desire to receive it. We currently send each issue to over 17,000 individuals. Eight to 10 issues are published annually, including a yearly issue devoted to an annual summary of communicable diseases reported in Minnesota. Issues of the DCN are posted on the MDH website (http://www.health.state.mn.us/divs/dpc/ades/pub.htm). Due to cutbacks in federal and state budgets that fund publication of the DCN, we are prompted to evaluate both the content and format of the newsletter. To facilitate this assessment, please complete this brief survey. You may complete this form and mail or fax it to MDH, or you may access and complete the survey online at http://www.health.state.mn.us/ divs/dpc/ades/dcn/rdr_survey.cfm. Your opinions are valuable to us. Thank you for completing the survey. Name (optional): 1. Do you receive the DCN directly by mail? Yes No 2. How much of a DCN issue do you typically read? All Most Some None 3. Do you access the DCN on the MDH website? Often Sometimes Never 4. On a scale of 1 to 5, with 1 being NOT USEFUL and 5 being HIGHLY USEFUL, how do you rate the DCN for providing useful information? 1 2 3 4 5 5. If we were to stop printing and mailing the DCN, how often would you access DCN issues on the MDH website? Often Sometimes Never 6. If we were to create an e-mail distribution list to disseminate electronic copies of the DCN, would you subscribe? Yes No 7. By what method would you prefer to receive the DCN (select one)? Printed and mailed E-mail distribution list On-line at MDH website 8. What types of articles do you find particularly useful in the DCN? (select all that apply) Annual summary of communicable diseases Reprints/excerpts of recently released clinical/public health guidelines Antibiogram Summaries of recent state/local outbreak investigations Non-communicable disease issues (e.g., cancer) Other (specify): 9. Your occupation: Physician Nurse Public health professional Laboratorian Other (specify): 10. If you are a physician, what is your speciality? Infectious Disease Family Practice Pediatrics Internal Medicine OB/GYN Other (specify): Please provide any additional comments regarding the DCN, its future, and/or about topics you would like to see addressed in the DCN: _ Thank you. Please fax this page to MDH at: (612) 676-5743 OR Mail to: Val Solovjovs Acute Disease Investigation and Control Minnesota Department of Health 717 SE Delaware St. Minneapolis, MN 55414 OR You can access and complete this survey on our website at http://www.health.state.mn.us/divs/dpc/ades/dcn/ rdr_survey.cfm.. 19
Please complete the survey on page 19. To report a communicable disease to the Minnesota Department of Health call 612-676-5414 or (toll-free) 1-877-676-5414 Aggie Leitheiser, Acting Commissioner of Health Division of Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Prevention and Control Harry F. Hull, M.D.... Division Director & State Epidemiologist Richard N. Danila, Ph.D., M.P.H.... ADIC Section Manager Kirk Smith, D.V.M., Ph.D.... Editor Wendy Mills, M.P.H.... Assistant Editor Valerie Solovjovs... Production Editor CHANGING YOUR ADDRESS? Please correct the address below and send it to: DCN MAILING LIST Minnesota Department of Health 717 Delaware Street SE PO Box 9441 Minneapolis, MN 55440-9441 The Disease Control Newsletter is available on the MDH Acute Disease Investigation and Control (ADIC) Section web site (http://www.health.state.mn.us/divs/dpc/ades/pub.htm). The Disease Control Newsletter toll-free telephone number is 1-800-366-2597.