Thousands face wait for TB vaccine after outbreak at school

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http://www.independent.ie/health/latest-news/thousands-face-wait-for-tb-vaccine-after-outbreak-at-school-2308953.html

Thousands face wait for TB vaccine after outbreak at school

By Eilish O'Regan and Olivia Kelleher

Tuesday August 24 2010

THOUSANDS of children and adults across the country are on waiting lists for the vaccine to protect against tuberculosis (TB), it was revealed yesterday.

In Co Cork, where three primary school children have contracted the disease, there is a backlog of 4,400 waiting for the BCG vaccine.

A spokesperson for the Health Service Executive (HSE) confirmed last night that the backlog was mainly in the south but waiting lists have also built up in other parts of the country.

The revelations come as pupils and staff at Ballintemple National School began tests for the disease. Three children attending the school are being treated for the TB.

The screening involved a questionnaire, a Mantoux skin test and a chest X-ray if required. For some, a blood test may be needed. The results of the Mantoux test are read within 48-72 hours. A positive test does not necessarily mean a person has TB. A chest X-ray is arranged if the test is positive.

Investigations to determine the source of the outbreak are under way at the school which has around 220 pupils.

An information line was opened yesterday to deal with queries. It will operate from 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday and can be reached at 1800 742800.

Meanwhile, the HSE confirmed it has not yet extended formal voluntary screening for TB to all the "at-risk groups" identified in an expert group report earlier this year.

The recommendations was that groups who are likely to have been exposed to TB should be offered the test in order to pick up the infection early, treat it and prevent its spread.

The groups included immigrants to Ireland from countries with high rates of TB. It also includes people who have spent more than three months in such countries.

Other high-risk groups are prison inmates, homeless people, HIV-infected patients, healthcare workers and prison staff.

A spokesman said asylum seekers were offered the test but no formal system was in place for immigrants, either legal or illegal, from countries with high rates of TB.

There is also no formal screening of the homeless or prisoners, but doctors would "informally" screen some individuals. HIV patients are routinely screened, but again no formal scheme is in place.

Screening

Health staff are screened as part of pre-employment tests but no similar system is in place for prison staff.

Dr Terry O'Connor, of Mercy University Hospital in Cork, said Ireland lacked proper screening policies that would identify individuals with TB.

At present, all newborns are getting the TB vaccine, except in Co Galway. Cork health authorities for many years did not routinely give the vaccine but this changed in 2008 and all newborns are now offered it.

But because it is playing catch-up, it still has a waiting list of older children and adults who are looking for the jab.