Ford and Iroquois Counties – Public health officials responded today to the shortage of Tybersol, the product made by Sanofi-Pasteur and used to conduct Tuberculosis (TB) skin tests. According to Dee Ann Schippert, Community and School Health Coordinator for the Ford-Iroquois Public Health Department, the agency will follow the recommendations provided by the Illinois Department of Public Health until the shortage is resolved. Mrs. Schippert said only high priority groups will be tested utilizing Tubersol at this time. “Individuals who are in contact with a person with pulmonary or laryngeal TB, persons whose immune systems are compromised and persons with symptoms suggestive of TB disease will receive Tubersol,” said Schippert.

Mrs. Schippert said this is a temporary situation and persons who are in need of testing but do not fit into one of the above priority groups, should contact the health department prior to going to the Paxton or Watseka offices to have a TB skin test. “We are not sure how long this shortage will be so it is important that residents call in to make sure we have a supply of Tubersol before making a trip to one of our offices.”

For more information or to check on the supply, call 217-379-9281 in Paxton or 815-432-2483 in Watseka.