CDC Issues Updated Guidance Regarding Timing of Tuberculosis Testing and COVID-19 Vaccination
Many providers have been struggling with the challenge of implementing the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidance regarding the timing of tuberculin (TB) testing for new staff and the COVID-19 vaccine. Specifically, tuberculin skin tests (TSTs) and interferon-gamma release assays (IGRAs) were previously recommended to be administered > four weeks after completion of COVID-19 vaccination. With the focus on getting new employees vaccinated, this issue could delay the onboarding of new staff if not timed right. LeadingAge NY has been in discussions with the Department of Health (DOH) regarding these challenges and is happy to report that the CDC has updated their guidance, which can be viewed here and is excerpted below. Notably, the CDC is no longer recommending a delay in TB testing if a COVID-19 vaccine has been administered.
Use of immune-based tests for tuberculosis infection, such as the tuberculin skin test and interferon-gamma release assay
COVID-19 vaccination should not be delayed because of testing for tuberculosis (TB) infection. Testing for TB infection with one of the immune-based methods, either the tuberculin skin test (TST) or an interferon release assay (IGRA), can be done before, after, or during the same encounter as COVID-19 vaccination.
TSTs and IGRAs were previously recommended to be administered > 4 weeks after completion of COVID-19 vaccination to minimize potential theoretical interference between vaccination and TB testing. This was out of an abundance of caution during a period when these vaccines were new. However, given logistical challenges faced in delaying TB infection testing, the recommendation has been updated so that these tests may now be administered without regard to timing of COVID-19 vaccination.
We note that this guidance was published last week, and not all the guidance on the CDC site regarding this issue has been updated. We wanted to share it with you now, however, given its importance in onboarding new staff, particularly during this time of workforce shortages. We will share more information and guidance with members as we receive it.
Contact: Diane Darbyshire, ddarbyshire@leadingageny.org, 518-867-8828