A 5-question risk assessment questionnaire completed by parents can be used to accurately identify risk factors associated with TB infection in children. In our population, some risk factors suggested by the American Academy of Pediatrics could not be validated. Parents cannot be relied on to read TST results accurately. Screening for TB can be enabled by using a standardized, validated questionnaire to identify children who should be given tuberculin skin testing.

Computer-generated letters to recall children overdue for immunizations resulted in a higher proportion of children appropriately immunized in this setting. However, the strategy was not as cost-effective as intuition might suggest. Further studies in health maintenance organization (HMO) settings should compare the cost effectiveness of letters with other low cost strategies including automated telephone reminders.

No abstract

The Chiron/Biocine aPDT vaccine offers an improved safety profile as well as improved immunogenicity when compared with a licensed wDPT product.