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Immunization Recommendations for Emergency Responders

Required Immunizations for Hurricane Katrina Volunteers

Required immunizations for Hurricane Katrina volunteers include:

Tetanus and diphtheria toxoid (receipt of primary series, and Td booster within 10 years)
Hepatitis B vaccine series for persons who will be performing direct patient care or otherwise expected to have contact with bodily fluids

There is no indication for the following vaccines, given the anticipated conditions in the region:

Hepatitis A vaccine (low probability of exposure, even under these conditions, in the United States) No transmission from contaminated water has been identified in the United States since the 1980s. Hepatitis A outbreaks have not occurred following other hurricanes or floods in other parts of the country, including the devastating hurricanes in Florida last year and the Midwestern floods of the late 1990s. The Gulf Region has had few hepatitis A cases in recent years, with less than 10 in the past 3 months reported from the New Orleans area. Thus, although the water and sewage systems are damaged or out of operation in many areas along the Gulf Coast, the risk of a hepatitis A epidemic is extremely low. The vaccine will take at least 1 to 2 weeks to provide substantial immunity.
Typhoid vaccine (low probability of exposure, even under these conditions, in the United States).
Cholera vaccine (low probability of exposure, even under these conditions, in the United States, plus no licensed cholera vaccine available in the United States); or
Meningococcal vaccine (no expectation of increased risk of meningococcal disease among emergency responders).
Rabies vaccine series (the full series is required for protection). Persons who are exposed to potentially rabid animals should be evaluated and receive standard post-exposure prophylaxis, as clinically appropriate.

Last Updated on 5/13/2009