| Issue 1089: November 19, 2013 TOP STORIES
IAC HANDOUTS
OFFICIAL RELEASES AND ANNOUNCEMENTS FEATURED RESOURCES
CONFERENCES AND MEETINGS TOP STORIES New! November issue of Needle Tips now available online The November issue of Needle Tips is now online.
 This issue features important information about ways to improve coverage of human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination in preteens, including IAC's new handout for parents of preteens and teens on HPV vaccination. In addition, it presents an array of materials that healthcare professionals can use to ensure the vaccination of everyone against influenza. It also features the "Ask the Experts" column from CDC medical officers Andrew T. Kroger, MD, MPH, and Iyabode Akinsanya-Beysolow, MD, MPH, and nurse educator Donna L. Weaver, RN, MN. Back to top CDC publishes new recommendations for use of Japanese encephalitis vaccine in children CDC published Use of Japanese Encephalitis Vaccine in Children: Recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, 2013 in the November 15 issue of MMWR (pages 898-900). The first sentence and last paragraph are reprinted below. On June 19, 2013, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) voted to extend existing recommendations for use of inactivated Vero cell culture-derived Japanese encephalitis (JE) vaccine (JE-VC) (Ixiaro, Intercell Biomedical) to include children aged 2 months through 16 years. ACIP recommendations for use of JE-VC for the primary series in children aged 2 months through 16 years are the same as for persons aged ≥17 years. Travelers to JE-endemic countries should be advised of the risks for JE disease and the importance of personal protective measures to reduce the risk for mosquito bites. For some travelers who will be in a higher-risk setting based on season, location, duration, and activities, JE vaccine can further reduce the risk for infection. JE vaccine is recommended for travelers who plan to spend a month or longer in endemic areas during the JE virus transmission season. JE vaccine should be considered for short-term (<1 month) travelers whose itinerary or activities might increase their risk for exposure to JE virus. JE vaccine is not recommended for short-term travelers whose visit will be restricted to urban areas. Related Links
IAC enrolls three more birthing institutions into its Hepatitis B Birth Dose Honor Roll The Immunization Action Coalition (IAC) is delighted to announce that three new institutions have been accepted into its Hepatitis B Birth Dose Honor Roll. The institutions are listed below with their reported hepatitis B birth dose coverage rates in parentheses.
The Honor Roll is a key part of IAC’s major initiative urging the nation’s hospitals to Give birth to the end of Hep B. Hospitals and birthing centers are recognized for attaining high coverage rates for administering hepatitis B vaccine at birth and meeting specific additional criteria. The initiative urges qualifying healthcare organizations to apply for the Hepatitis B Birth Dose Honor Roll online. To be included in the Hepatitis B Birth Dose Honor Roll, a birthing institution must have: (1) reported a coverage rate of 90% or greater, over a 12-month period, for administering hepatitis B vaccine before hospital discharge to all newborns, including those whose parents refuse vaccination, and (2) implemented specific written policies, procedures, and protocols to protect all newborns from hepatitis B virus infection prior to hospital discharge. Honorees are also awarded an 8.5" x 11" color certificate suitable for framing and their acceptance is announced to IAC Express’s approximately 50,000 readers. Please visit the new Hepatitis B Birth Dose Honor Roll web page that lists these institutions and their exceptional efforts to protect infants from perinatal hepatitis B transmission. Related Links
IAC Spotlight! IAC's "Ask the Experts" Q&As give you answers from CDC experts Looking for answers to your questions about influenza, Tdap, MMR, meningococcal vaccination or vaccine storage and handling? Look no further. IAC’s Ask the Experts web section is a compilation of common yet challenging questions and answers (Q&As) about vaccines and their administration. The experts are Andrew T. Kroger, MD, MPH, medical officer; Iyabode Akinsanya-Beysolow, MD, MPH, medical officer; and Donna L. Weaver, RN, MN, nurse educator. All are at CDC's National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases. The Q&As have been featured in previous issues of IAC Express, Needle Tips, and Vaccinate Adults. Related links
National Influenza Vaccination Week is December 8–14; CDC makes a multitude of resources available This year, National Influenza Vaccination Week (NIVW) is planned for December 8–14. NIVW is a national observance that was established to highlight the importance of continuing influenza vaccination. CDC offers the healthcare community many resources to help spread the word about the importance of influenza vaccination in 2013–14, including the following:
Back to top Voices for Vaccines to host December 3 conference call about effective conversations with vaccine hesitant parents Join Voices for Vaccines on December 3 at 7:00 p.m. ET (4:00 p.m. PT) for a call discussing evidence-based messages and strategies that are most likely to convince parents to overcome their hesitancy and vaccinate their children. The speakers, Skepchick blogger Jamie Bernstein and pediatrician Nathan Boonstra, MD, are well versed in the evidence and the practice of helping people feel comfortable with immunization. To register for the call, you must email VFV for call-in information. Voices for Vaccines is a national organization of parents and others who are dedicated to raising the level of the voices of immunization supporters. VFV has strong, direct support from scientists, healthcare professionals, and public health officials in its mission to provide parents, caregivers, and others with opportunities to advocate for on-time immunization. Please become a member of Voices for Vaccines. VFV invites everyone who appreciates vaccines to join their organization. Please spread the word to your friends and colleagues! Back to top IAC HANDOUTS IAC revises "Guide to Contraindications and Precautions to Commonly Used Vaccines" IAC recently revised Guide to Contraindications and Precautions to Commonly Used Vaccines. The wording for the intussusception-related contraindication for rotavirus vaccination was revised. Other changes primarily relate to new influenza products and recommendations. Access IAC's Clinic Resources Handouts web section to help healthcare professionals properly administer vaccines. IAC's Handouts for Patients & Staff web section offers healthcare professionals and the public more than 250 FREE English-language handouts (many also available in translation), which we encourage website users to print out, copy, and distribute widely. Back to top IAC redesigns "Do Not Unplug" and "Do Not Turn Off Circuit Breaker" signs IAC reformatted and redesigned its "Do Not Unplug" vaccine storage warning sign to read Do Not Unplug Refrigerator or Freezer. Two different signs are available and the warning is presented in both English and Spanish. The Do Not Turn Off Circuit Breaker sign was also redesigned with colorful text that reads "WARNING! EXPENSIVE VACCINE IN STORAGE!" in both English and Spanish. Related Links
IAC updates "Influenza Vaccination of People with a History of Egg Allergy" IAC recently updated Influenza Vaccination of People with a History of Egg Allergy. The version published in September was correct but the newest version includes additional text and references from the ACIP influenza recommendations published on September 20. Access all of IAC's influenza educational materials for healthcare professionals and their patients. Back to top IAC revises "Before you vaccinate adults, consider their 'H-A-L-O'!" IAC recently revised Before you vaccinate adults, consider their “H-A-L-O”! This resource features an easy-to-use chart that can help healthcare professionals make an initial decision about vaccinating a patient based on four factors—the patient’s Health condition, Age, Lifestyle, and Occupation. The layout was redesigned and the indications for PCV, PPSV, MMR, varicella, Hib, HPV, and Tdap vaccination were updated to match current ACIP recommendations. Related Links
OFFICIAL RELEASES AND ANNOUNCEMENTS HHS releases new report about federal efforts to implement viral hepatitis action plan The U.S. Health and Human Services (HHS) Office of HIV/AIDS and Infectious Disease Policy recently released a new report that features highlights of federal efforts to implement the Action Plan for the Prevention, Care and Treatment of Viral Hepatitis in 2012. The report, Interagency Implementation Progress Report for the Action Plan for the Prevention, Care & Treatment of Viral Hepatitis, describes key activities undertaken by programs that span the operating and staff divisions across HHS as well as actions by federal partners at the Department of Justice’s Federal Bureau of Prisons and the Department of Veterans Affairs’ Veterans Health Administration. While the focus of this report is on federal activities, there are many important complementary activities underway at the community, state, tribal, and local levels that are vital to achieving the goals of the action plan. It is hoped that this report may assist efforts underway in other organizations that work to combat the silent epidemic of viral hepatitis. Access more information about Combating the Silent Epidemic of Viral Hepatitis from the AIDS.gov website. Back to top FEATURED RESOURCES Influenza is serious; vaccination is recommended for nearly everyone, so please keep vaccinating your patients Vaccination remains the single most effective means of preventing influenza, and is recommended for everyone age 6 months and older. If you don't provide influenza vaccination in your clinic, please recommend vaccination to your patients and refer them to a clinic or pharmacy that provides vaccines or to the HealthMap Vaccine Finder to locate sites near their workplaces or homes that offer influenza vaccination services. Following is a list of resources related to influenza disease and vaccination for healthcare professionals and the public:
Bulk quantities of laminated pocket guides for influenza and pneumococcal vaccines are available—free—from the National Adult and Influenza Immunization Summit and IAC To aid in efforts to vaccinate against two diseases, influenza and pneumococcal, the National Adult and Influenza Immunization Summit (NAIIS) and IAC invite you to place orders for bulk quantities of the following pocket guides:
These laminated, 3.75" x 6.75", two-color cards serve as a convenient reference for front-line healthcare professionals who vaccinate patients. Place a bulk order now, and hand them out to healthcare professionals at your workplace or at conferences. Each staff person who administers influenza and pneumococcal vaccines needs these handy resources. These pocket guides are designed to be used by healthcare professionals only; they are NOT patient handouts. Related Links
Place your order today using IAC's online order form. There is no cost for the pocket guides, shipping, or handling within the U.S. If you have questions, email admininfo@immunize.org. Back to top Supplies are low! IAC's full-sized laminated versions of the 2013 immunization schedules are 50% off (use coupon code IAC50) This special offer won’t last long! Use Coupon Code IAC50 when purchasing full-sized (6 pages, folded to 8.5" x 11”) laminated versions of either or both 2013 U.S. immunization schedules: child/teen and adult. Laminated 2013 schedules are printed in color for easy reading, come complete with essential tables and footnotes, and include contraindications and precautions—a feature that will help you make an on-the-spot determination about the safety of vaccinating patients of any age. PRICING: Enter the Coupon Code IAC50 to get the sale price in the shopping cart. 1–4: $7.50 each—SALE $3.75 each 5–19: $5.50 each—SALE $2.75 each 20–99: $4.50 each—SALE $2.25 each 100–499: $4.00 each—SALE $2.00 each 500–999: $3.50 each—SALE $1.75 each  
Back to top CONFERENCES AND MEETINGS Call for Abstracts deadline extended to November 22 for CDC's 2014 STD Prevention Conference Due to the recent U.S. government shutdown and a high level of interest in submitting abstracts for the conference, organizers for CDC's 2014 STD Prevention Conference have extended the call for abstracts through Friday, November 22, 2013. The 2014 STD Prevention Conference, "More STD Prevention for the Money: Maximizing Impact, Efficiency, and Return on Program Investments," will be held June 9–12, 2014, in Atlanta, GA. Access the Call for Abstracts web page. Back to top  |
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IZ Express is supported in part by Grant No. 1NH23IP922654 from CDC’s National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases. Its contents are solely the responsibility of Immunize.org and do not necessarily represent the official views of CDC.
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ISSN 2771-8085
IZ Express Disclaimer
ISSN 2771-8085
Editorial Information
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Editor-in-ChiefKelly L. Moore, MD, MPH
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Managing EditorJohn D. Grabenstein, RPh, PhD
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Associate EditorSharon G. Humiston, MD, MPH
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Writer/Publication CoordinatorTaryn Chapman, MS
Courtnay Londo, MA -
Style and Copy EditorMarian Deegan, JD
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Web Edition ManagersArkady Shakhnovich
Jermaine Royes -
Contributing WriterLaurel H. Wood, MPA
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Technical ReviewerKayla Ohlde