Update for Civil Surgeons: Regarding Current Nationwide TUBERSOL® Shortage

Posted April 25, 2013

TUBERSOL®, a purified-protein derivative (PPD) product licensed by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for use in the United States, is in shortage nationwide until at least the end of May 2013. Information about the shortage can be found through the April 12, 2013, Health Alert Network posting.

Civil surgeons should be advised that despite the current nationwide shortage of TUBERSOL®, there is no change in the required evaluation for tuberculosis (TB) as provided in the Technical Instructions (TIs) to Civil Surgeons.

Specifically, testing for cell-mediated immunity through use of a tuberculin skin test (TST) or interferon gamma release assay (IGRA) is still required. Civil surgeons should not perform a chest radiograph instead of testing for cell-mediated immunity.