| Issue 1098: January 7, 2014 TOP STORIES
IAC HANDOUTS VACCINE INFORMATION STATEMENTS FEATURED RESOURCES
JOURNAL ARTICLES AND NEWSLETTERS EDUCATION AND TRAINING
CONFERENCES AND MEETINGS TOP STORIES IAC Spotlight! Eight more healthcare organizations join IAC's Influenza Vaccination Honor Roll for mandatory healthcare worker vaccination IAC urges qualifying healthcare organizations to apply for its Influenza Vaccination Honor Roll. The honor roll recognizes hospitals, medical practices, professional organizations, health departments, and government entities that have taken a stand for patient safety by implementing mandatory influenza vaccination policies for healthcare personnel. More than 350 organizations are now enrolled. Since November 26, when IAC Express last reported on the Influenza Vaccination Honor Roll, 8 organizations have been enrolled. Newly added healthcare organizations, medical practices, and health agencies
IAC enrolls six more birthing institutions into its Hepatitis B Birth Dose Honor Roll The Immunization Action Coalition (IAC) is delighted to announce that six new birthing 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
New York City Board of Health votes to require influenza immunization for children in daycare and preschool On December 16, the New York City Board of Health approved a proposal to require influenza immunization for children in licensed preschool and daycare facilities. The new rule will take effect in 30 days, but will not be enforced until next year. Starting in 2014, children attending a licensed preschool or daycare center will need to be vaccinated against influenza by December 31, unless exempted for medical or religious reasons. Related Link
CDC looks back at 2013, and ahead to 2014 health challenges, including two related to vaccination As 2013 came to a close, CDC published a list of five major health concerns in 2013, and previewed five health threats that loom for 2014. Vaccine-related challenges for 2014 include the slow uptake of the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine and the final push for global polio eradication. Related Links
New report finds the nation’s ability to prevent and control infectious diseases inadequate On December 17, Trust for America's Health and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation released a report titled Outbreaks: Protecting Americans from Infectious Diseases. The report found that 32 states scored 5 or lower out of 10 key indicators of policies and capabilities to protect against infectious disease threats. Some key findings from the press release:
IAC HANDOUTS IAC updates patient handouts "Meningococcal: Questions and Answers" and "Shingles (Zoster): Questions and Answers" IAC recently revised Meningococcal: Questions and Answers, a 3-page handout for patients and parents. This resource was updated to reflect ACIP meningococcal recommendations made in 2013. Shingles (Zoster): Questions and Answers, a similar 3-page handout, received minor edits. Related Link 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 VACCINE INFORMATION STATEMENTS IAC posts Haitian-Creole translations of the Tdap and rotavirus VISs and a Portuguese translation of the Tdap VIS IAC recently posted Haitian-Creole translations of the Tdap VIS and rotavirus VIS, and a Portuguese translation of the Tdap VIS. IAC thanks the Massachusetts Department of Public Health for these translations.
FEATURED RESOURCES Vaccine Education Center offers free mobile app for Android phones as well as for iPhones In December, the Vaccine Education Center (VEC) at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia launched a free mobile app for Android phones. Titled Vaccines on the Go: What You Should Know, the app offers parents information about vaccines, the diseases they prevent, and common vaccine safety concerns. VEC had previously released an iPhone version of the same application. The app offers parents information about vaccines, the diseases they prevent, and common vaccine safety concerns. You can download the app for both Android and Apple devices from VEC's mobile app web page. On the same page you can access a short video of VEC director Dr. Paul Offit describing the features of the vaccine mobile app. Related Link
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 JOURNAL ARTICLES AND NEWSLETTERS CDC publishes report on influenza activity in the U.S. from September 29 through December 7 CDC published Update: Influenza Activity—United States, September 29–December 7, 2013 in the December 20 issue of MMWR (pages 1032–1036). Four sentences from the editorial note are reprinted below. Influenza activity so far this season has increased during the most recent weeks and is expected to continue to increase in the coming weeks. During September 29–December 7, 2013, pH1N1 viruses were identified most frequently in the United States, but influenza A (H3N2) and influenza B viruses also were reported.... Vaccination remains the most effective method to prevent influenza and its complications. Health-care providers should offer vaccine to all unvaccinated persons aged ≥6 months now and throughout the influenza season. Back to top EDUCATION AND TRAINING Watch HHS-sponsored webinar on preventing perinatal hepatitis B infection On December 19, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the White House Initiative on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders, and Hep B United sponsored a webinar about reducing perinatal hepatitis B virus infection. Hepatitis B and Reducing Perinatal Transmission: An Overview and Discussion of New Tools discussed new tools and best practices toward reducing hepatitis B health disparities in Asian American and Pacific Islander communities. You can now access the webinar recording and presenter slides online.
Back to top Clinical Vaccinology Course set for March 21–23 in Seattle The National Foundation for Infectious Diseases, the Emory Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, and the Emory Vaccine Center are sponsoring a Clinical Vaccinology Course on March 21–23 in Seattle, WA. This course focuses on new developments and issues related to the use of vaccines. Expert faculty will provide the latest information on both current and prospective vaccines, updated recommendations for vaccinations across the lifespan, and innovative and practical strategies for ensuring timely and appropriate vaccination. Continuing education credits are available. Access more information about the meeting. Back to top CONFERENCES AND MEETINGS American Public Health Association meeting scheduled for November 2014; abstract deadline spans February 10–14 The American Public Health Association's 142nd annual meeting is scheduled for November 15–19 in New Orleans. The deadline for abstract submission ranges from February 10–14, depending on topic area. Access more information about the meeting and abstract submission. 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
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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