Volunteers interested in going to the Gulf Coast to assist local, state, and national disaster relief efforts need to ensure that their tetanus, diphtheria, and hepatitis B vaccines are up-to-date.

Janet Olszewski, Director of the Michigan Department of Community Health, said that all volunteers need to follow Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Guidelines and ensure that:

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

"At this point in time, it is vital that all volunteers in Michigan work through appropriate channels for assignment to the Gulf Coast region. However, they should ensure now that their immunizations are up-to-date, in case they are asked to assist," Olszewski said. "We urge volunteers interested in heading to the Gulf Coast to visit the CDC web site for additional updates."

The website volunteers can access for the latest immunization information is:

http://www.bt.cdc.gov/disasters/hurricanes/responderimmun.asp.