Purpose
Health departments, public health partners, and groups working with arrivals from Ukraine through the Uniting for Ukraine program and their sponsors can use these strategies and resources to increase awareness about the programs screening requirements for tuberculosis (TB).
About the Program
On May 21, 2022, President Biden signed into law emergency supplemental appropriations (Public Law 117-128) that included funds for medical support, screening, and other public health activities related to populations displaced from Ukraine.
Under the Uniting for Ukraine program, an estimated 100,000 displaced Ukrainians are expected to arrive in the United States. The program is a pathway for Ukrainian citizens to come to the United States and stay temporarily for a two-year period. Entry to the United States for Ukrainian citizens under this pathway is known as "parole." Shortly after arrival, Ukrainians participating in the program must meet specific health requirements, including vaccinations and tuberculosis (TB) testing.
To support this effort, CDC's Division of Tuberculosis Elimination awarded approximately $27 million in supplemental funding under CDC-RFA-PS20-2001 to currently funded states, cities, and territories for screening, evaluation, and treatment of latent TB infection and TB disease among Ukrainians paroled into the United States.
Information for Arrivals and Sponsors
People arriving in the United States as part of Uniting for Ukraine must be screened for TB disease.
All people two years of age or older will need to be screened for TB by getting an interferon-gamma release assay (IGRA) test within 90 days after arrival to the United States.
Contact your local or state health department to find out how to get tested.
Your local or state health department may be able to provide you with a TB blood test or refer you to other testing locations. You may also be able to get a TB blood test at a healthcare provider's office or a local laboratory.
About the TB blood test
An IGRA is a blood test to tell if a person has been infected with TB germs. It does not tell whether the person has latent TB infection or has progressed to TB disease.
For the TB blood test, a healthcare provider or laboratory technician will draw your blood and send it to a laboratory for analysis and results. Only one visit is needed to draw blood for the test, but results can take up to 4 weeks.
If you have a positive reaction to the TB blood test, your doctor or nurse will do other tests to see if you have TB disease.
TB screening costs may vary by location.
Check with your local or state health department for information on TB screening costs. TB screening may be available for free or at a reduced cost.
Certain Ukrainian persons may be eligible for benefits through the Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) or through other federally funded benefit programs.
Coverage of the initial TB screening and blood test will depend on
- When you apply for benefits or health insurance,
- If the state offers retroactive coverage, and
- If the healthcare provider can bill your health insurance.
Communication and Education Resources
CDC resources
CDC has communication and education materials available in Ukrainian, Russian, and English for download. Select materials are available free of charge (within the United States) for order via CDC-Info On Demand Publications (see ordering instructions).
Find TB Resources
Find TB Resources connects you to a worldwide library of online resources, training, and educational materials.
Sample Letter to Refugee Service Partners
Health departments can use this sample letter template to coordinate with refugee services partners.
[Date]
Dear [PARTNER NAME],
The [TB PROGRAM NAME] seeks to coordinate services with [PARTNER NAME] to assist Ukrainian parolees, arriving through the Uniting for Ukraine program, with meeting tuberculosis (TB) screening requirements.
Through the Uniting for Ukraine program, Ukrainian parolees are required to undergo testing with a TB-specific interferon-gamma release assay (IGRA) test and subsequent TB diagnostic studies as needed. The time period for completing the TB screening is within 90 days of arrival in the United States. Parolees are also required to be vaccinated for several infections.
We look forward to discussing ways [TB PROGRAM NAME] and [PARTNER NAME] may be able to collaborate on coordinating TB screening services. Please contact [TB PROGRAM CONTACT NAME] at [PHONE NUMBER] or [EMAIL] to discuss further.
Sincerely,
[TB PROGRAM CONTACT SIGNATURE LINE]