| Issue 1102: January 28, 2014 TOP STORIES
FEATURED RESOURCES
NOMINATIONS AND AWARDS EDUCATION AND TRAINING
TOP STORIES 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 institutions have been accepted into its Hepatitis B Birth Dose Honor Roll. The birthing 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
CDC releases updated Japanese encephalitis VIS On January 24, CDC released a revised Japanese Encephalitis Vaccine Information Statement (VIS). The VIS was updated to reflect the change in Ixiaro's minimum age from 17 years to two months.
IAC Spotlight! Please refer parents and patients to www.vaccineinformation.org, IAC's website for the public In 2013, we completed a major transformation of our website for the public, www.vaccineinformation.org, making it one of the most user-friendly sources of scientifically accurate and easily navigable immunization information on the Web today. Titled “Vaccine Information You Need,” the website offers parents, other adults, legislators, the media, and all interested Web users a one-stop shop for learning about vaccines and their importance. Information on the website is organized into sections based on the four age groups listed below. This arrangement allows visitors to easily find vaccine schedules and other information pertinent to people of a specific age: Highlights of Vaccineinformation.org
Back to top CDC provides guidance to travelers and clinicians related to the ongoing avian influenza A (H7N9) virus outbreak in China Since April 2013, the World Health Organization (WHO) has reported 192 confirmed human cases of avian influenza A (H7N9) from China, with 57 deaths. Available evidence suggests that most people have been infected with the virus after having contact with infected poultry or contaminated environments. There is no vaccine to prevent H7N9 infection. On January 22, CDC released updated related information on its Traveler's Health web section. CDC advises travelers and Americans living in China to follow good hand hygiene and food safety practices and to avoid contact with animals, living or dead. CDC also reminds clinicians to consider the possibility of avian influenza virus infection in people presenting with respiratory illness within ten days of an appropriate travel or exposure history. Access the full CDC document: Avian Flu (H7N9) in China Back to top FEATURED RESOURCES Use newly released brochure to encourage HPV vaccination of boys and young men The Pennsylvania Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics (PA-AAP) recently developed a new brochure on male HPV vaccination, with funding provided by the Vaccine Education Center (VEC) at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Vaccine for Boys and Young Men provides answers to the questions that young men and/or their parents may have about HPV infection and vaccination. Only 6.8% of male adolescents age 13–17 years received a complete HPV vaccination series in 2012 (CDC National Immunization Survey data). Research consistently shows that a provider’s recommendation to vaccinate is the single most influential factor in convincing parents to vaccinate their children. Healthcare professionals can use resources such as this new brochure to educate patients and parents, while making a strong recommendation to vaccinate. Related Links Resources from VEC
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 six 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:
NOMINATIONS AND AWARDS Reminder: It's time to submit nominations for CDC's Childhood Immunization Champion Award The CDC Childhood Immunization Champion Award is an annual award that recognizes individuals who make a significant contribution toward improving public health through their work in childhood immunization. Each year, up to one CDC Immunization Champion from each of the 50 U.S. states, eight U.S. territories and freely associated states, and the District of Columbia will be honored. Champions can include coalition members, parents, healthcare professionals, and other immunization leaders who meet the award criteria. Immunization program managers, state and federal government employees of health agencies, individuals who have been affiliated with and/or employed by pharmaceutical companies, and those who have already received the award are not eligible to apply. Awardees will be announced during National Infant Immunization Week, which runs April 26–May 3. The suggested nomination due date is February 14, but states may select a unique deadline. Please contact your state immunization program to confirm your state’s deadline. Related Links
EDUCATION AND TRAINING Join Voices for Vaccines on a conference call about the power of storytelling Join Voices for Vaccines (VFV) by phone on February 11 at noon (ET) for a discussion titled Vaccines—Where Science and Story Meet, featuring VFV leaders Ashley Shelby and Karen Ernst. Shelby and Ernst are parents who have built their immunization advocacy on the power of storytelling. As leaders of Voices for Vaccines and founders of Moms Who Vax and the Minnesota Childhood Immunization Coalition, they have worked hard to have powerful pro-vaccine narratives heard, and have seen such narratives as Amy Parker’s Growing Up Unvaccinated make a difference. Join them to discuss how we can all incorporate storytelling to encourage immunization in our communities. To register, email info@voicesforvaccines.org. 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 invites everyone who appreciates vaccines to join their organization. Please spread the word to your friends and colleagues! Back to top CDC to host February 11 webinar on National Infant Immunization Week The 20th anniversary of National Infant Immunization Week (NIIW) will be celebrated this year from April 26 through May 3. In preparation, CDC's National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases is offering a related webinar. The session will cover:
Related Link National Infant Immunization Week web section Back to top  |
About IZ Express
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