Issue 1187: June 9, 2015

Ask the Experts
Ask the Experts—Question of the Week: Should a male postpone receiving the MMR vaccine if he and his spouse…read more


TOP STORIES
IAC HANDOUTS
VACCINE INFORMATION STATEMENTS
OFFICIAL RELEASES AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
FEATURED RESOURCES
JOURNAL ARTICLES AND NEWSLETTERS
EDUCATION AND TRAINING  
TOP STORIES
Reminder: May issues of Needle Tips and Vaccinate Adults available online

The May 2015 issues of Needle Tips and Vaccinate Adults are available online. Vaccinate Adults is an abbreviated version of Needle Tips with the pediatric content removed.

Click on the images below to download the entire May issues (PDF) of Needle Tips and/or Vaccinate Adults.

May issue of Needle TipsMay issue of Vaccinate Adults

Needle Tips: View the table of contentsmagazine viewer, and back issues.

Vaccinate Adults: View the table of contentsmagazine viewer, and back issues.

If you would like to receive immediate email notification whenever new issues of Needle Tips or Vaccinate Adults are released, visit IAC's subscribe page to sign up.

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CDC publishes report on the 2014–15 influenza season and composition of the 2015–16 influenza vaccine

CDC published Influenza Activity—United States, 2014–15 Season and Composition of the 2015–16 Influenza Vaccine in the June 5 issue of MMWR (pages 583–590). The first paragraph and the paragraph about the composition of the 2015–16 vaccine are reprinted below.

During the 2014–15 influenza season in the United States, influenza activity increased through late November and December before peaking in late December. Influenza A (H3N2) viruses predominated, and the prevalence of influenza B viruses increased late in the season. This influenza season, similar to previous influenza A (H3N2)-predominant seasons, was moderately severe with overall high levels of outpatient illness and influenza-associated hospitalization, especially for adults aged ≥65 years. The majority of circulating influenza A (H3N2) viruses were different from the influenza A (H3N2) component of the 2014–15 Northern Hemisphere seasonal vaccines, and the predominance of these drifted viruses resulted in reduced vaccine effectiveness. This report summarizes influenza activity in the United States during the 2014–15 influenza season (September 28, 2014–May 23, 2015) and reports the recommendations for the components of the 2015–16 Northern Hemisphere influenza vaccine...

Composition of the 2015–16 Influenza Vaccine
The Food and Drug Administration's Vaccines and Related Biological Products Advisory Committee has recommended that the 2015–16 influenza trivalent vaccines used in the United States contain an A/California/7/2009 (H1N1)pdm09-like virus, an A/Switzerland/9715293/2013 (H3N2)-like virus, and a B/Phuket/3073/2013-like (B/Yamagata lineage) virus. It is recommended that quadrivalent vaccines, which have two influenza B viruses, contain the viruses recommended for the trivalent vaccines, as well as a B/Brisbane/60/2008-like (B/Victoria lineage) virus. This represents a change in the influenza A (H3) and influenza B (Yamagata lineage) components compared with the composition of the 2014–15 influenza vaccine. These vaccine recommendations were based on several factors, including global influenza virologic and epidemiologic surveillance, genetic characterization, antigenic characterization, antiviral resistance, and the candidate vaccine viruses that are available for production.


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IAC Spotlight! Check out the recently updated "Ask the Experts" archive of online Q&As for hepatitis B, HPV, MMR, meningococcal and pneumococcal vaccines, as well as for scheduling vaccines

IAC recently updated the following sections of its online "Ask the Experts" feature: IAC’s Ask the Experts web section is a compilation of common as well as challenging questions and answers (Q&As) about vaccines and their administration. The experts are Andrew T. Kroger, MD, MPH, medical officer, and Donna L. Weaver, RN, MN, nurse educator. Both 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 Subscribe to IAC Express and receive a new "Ask the Experts" Q&A every week, as well as several special editions of "Ask the Experts" throughout the year.

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Every Last Child documentary examines the current polio crisis in Pakistan amidst the murders of polio vaccination workers 

Every Last Child is an important new documentary that opened in New York City on June 3, and will open in Los Angeles and Chicago on June 12, and Washington, DC, and San Diego on June 19. The film examines the current polio crisis in Pakistan. Here is a description of the film from the distributor:

EVERY LAST CHILD is the dramatic story of five people impacted by the current polio crisis in Pakistan. Taking place on the front line of the fight against the disease, it is a story of sacrifice, fearless determination, and sorrow in the face of mistrust, cynicism, and violence.

Just a few years ago, polio persisted in only three countries and the number of victims was steadily decreasing. Pakistan was the key battleground with over 80% of all endemic cases. However, when the Pakistan Taliban issued a ban against the polio vaccination program, and incited fatal attacks against vaccinators, Pakistan’s campaign was thrown into disarray. Today families and healthcare workers find themselves in the cross hairs of politics and bloodshed as they attempt to protect their children from polio. At this critical time, when we are closer than ever before to global eradication, increased international support and commitment can see the end of polio, once and for all.

Through the vivid stories of its five subjects—a medical specialist, a vaccinator, a vaccination skeptic, an adult polio victim, and a sick child—we are drawn in to the desperate search for a solution to this devastating disease. Will these everyday heroes succeed and end polio in our lifetime, or will another young generation be at risk?


The American distributor, Zeitgeist Films, welcomes partners who will help promote this film via social and traditional media and/or by sponsoring screenings and panel discussions. Back to top


IAC HANDOUTS
IAC develops new standing orders for administering Hib vaccine to adults and updates standing orders for Hib vaccination of children

IAC has developed a new resource for healthcare professionals, Standing Orders for Administering Haemophilus influenzae Type B Vaccine to Adults. A dose of Hib vaccine is recommended for adults with anatomic or functional asplenia and those who have received a hematopoietic stem cell transplant.

IAC also made minor edits to its Standing Orders for Administering Haemophilus influenzae Type B Vaccine to Children.

Related Links 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.

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IAC revises standing orders for administering PPSV vaccine to children and teens

IAC recently revised Standing Orders for Administering Pneumococcal Polysaccharide Vaccine to Children & Teens to include a clarification about the timing when vaccination with both PCV13 and PPSV23 is indicated.

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IAC revises its resource for healthcare professionals, "Before you vaccinate adults, consider their 'H-A-L-O'!"

IAC updated Before you vaccinate adults, consider their “H-A-L-O”! to include information about the ACIP recommendation to provide a dose of PCV13 to all adults age 65 and older.

This resource is 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.

Related Link

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VACCINE INFORMATION STATEMENTS
IAC posts 15 translations of CDC's new HPV Vaccine Gardasil-9 VIS

IAC recently posted 15 translations of CDC's new HPV Vaccine Gardasil-9 VIS in Armenian, Arabic, Burmese, Cambodian (Khmer), Chinese (simplified), Chinese (traditional), Farsi, French, Hmong, Korean, Russian, Somali, Spanish, Tagalog, and Vietnamese. These match the updated Gardasil-9 VIS released in English by CDC on April 15, 2015.

IAC thanks the California Department of Public Health, Immunization Branch, for the Armenian, Cambodian (Khmer), Farsi, Hmong, Korean, and Tagalog translations. Back to top


IAC posts nine translations of the updated rotavirus VIS

IAC recently posted the Rotavirus Vaccine VIS in Arabic, Burmese, Chinese (simplified), Chinese (traditional), French, Russian, Somali, Spanish, and Vietnamese. These match the updated rotavirus VIS released in English by CDC on April 15, 2015. Back to top


IAC posts ten translations of the updated Hib VIS

IAC recently posted the Hib (Haemophilus influenzae type b) Vaccine VIS in Arabic, Burmese, Chinese (simplified), Chinese (traditional), French, German, Russian, Somali, Spanish, and Vietnamese. These match the updated Hib VIS released in English by CDC on April 2, 2015. Back to top


IAC posts ten translations of the updated Tdap VIS

IAC recently posted the Tdap Vaccine VIS in Arabic, Burmese, Chinese (simplified), Chinese (traditional), French, German, Russian, Somali, Spanish, and Vietnamese. These match the updated Tdap VIS released in English by CDC on February 24, 2015. Back to top


IAC posts ten translations of the updated Td VIS

IAC recently posted the VIS for Td vaccines in Arabic, Burmese, Chinese (simplified), Chinese (traditional), French, German, Russian, Somali, Spanish, and Vietnamese. These match the updated Td VIS released in English by CDC on February 24, 2015. Back to top


IAC posts nine translations of the updated PPSV VIS

IAC recently posted the Pneumococcal Polysaccharide Vaccine (PPSV) VIS in Arabic, Burmese, Chinese (simplified), Chinese (traditional), French, Russian, Somali, Spanish, and Vietnamese. These match the updated PPSV VIS released in English by CDC on April 24, 2015. Back to top


OFFICIAL RELEASES AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
CDC releases "Sexually Transmitted Diseases Treatment Guidelines, 2015"

On June 5, CDC released Sexually Transmitted Diseases Treatment Guidelines, 2015, as an MMWR Recommendations and Reports. The guidelines include information on hepatitis A, hepatitis B, and human papillomavirus [HPV] vaccination. The last such guidelines were published by CDC in 2010. Back to top


WHO publishes summary of 2014–15 influenza season in the Northern Hemisphere

The June 5 issue of the WHO periodical Weekly Epidemiological Record includes an article titled Review of the 2014–2015 influenza season in the Northern Hemisphere.
 
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FEATURED RESOURCES
CDC offers many resources related to adolescent vaccination

CDC’s adolescent immunization communication team has developed a number of resources to promote adolescent immunization and educate parents and healthcare professionals on the importance of following the recommended immunization schedule. Resources for parents and resources for clinicians are now available online.

There are also free print materials available to order at CDC-INFO on Demand. Select “Immunizations and Vaccines (Teens)” from the “Programs” drop-down menu. Materials include posters and fact sheets to educate parents on the importance of getting the recommended vaccines for their preteens.

You are also encouraged to join the adolescent immunization communication team for its #PreteenVaxScene webinar series. The next webinar will summarize the updated ACIP recommendations following the June ACIP meeting. More information on this webinar will be available in the June “Preteen Vaccines” newsletter. For more information on materials, activities, or to subscribe to the “Preteen Vaccines” newsletter, e-mail preteenvaccines@cdc.gov.

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Now available! IAC's sturdy laminated versions of the 2015 U.S. child/teen immunization schedule and the 2015 U.S. adult immunization schedule—order a supply for your healthcare setting today!

IAC's laminated versions of the 2015 U.S. child/teen immunization schedule and the 2015 U.S. adult immunization schedule are covered with a tough, washable coating; they will stand up to a year's worth of use in every area of your healthcare setting where immunizations are given. The child and adolescent schedule has eight pages (i.e., four double-sided pages) and is folded to measure 8.5" x 11". The adult immunization schedule has six pages (i.e., three double-sided pages) and is folded to measure 8.5" x 11". Laminated Child and Teen Laminated Schedule Adult Laminated Immunization Schedules

Laminated 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
1–4 copies: $7.50 each
5–19 copies: $5.50 each
20–99 copies: $4.50 each
100–499 copies: $4.00 each
500–999 copies: $3.50 each

For quotes on customizing or placing orders for 1,000 copies or more, call (651) 647-9009 or email admininfo@immunize.org.

You can access specific information on both schedules, view images of both, order online, or download an order form at the Shop IAC: Laminated Schedules web page.


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IAC makes available The Vaccine Handbook: A Practical Guide for Clinicians, a.k.a. "The Purple Book," by Dr. Gary Marshall

The Vaccine Handbook: A Practical Guide for Clinicians (“The Purple Book,” 2015, 560 pages) is a uniquely comprehensive source of practical, up-to-date information for vaccine providers and educators. Its author, Gary S. Marshall, MD, has drawn together the latest vaccine science and guidance into a concise, user-friendly, practical resource for the private office, public health clinic, academic medical center, and hospital.
Order your copy of The Vaccine Handbook today!
IAC Executive Director Deborah Wexler, MD, is enthusiastic about helping get this book circulated as widely as possible. “During more than 20 years in the field of immunization education, I have not seen a book that is so brimming with state-of-the-science vaccine information,” she states. "This book belongs in the hands of every medical student, physician-in-training, doctor, nursing student, and nurse who provides vaccines to patients.”
 
The Vaccine Handbook provides:
  • Information on every licensed vaccine in the United States
  • Rationale behind authoritative vaccine recommendations
  • Contingencies encountered in everyday practice
  • A chapter dedicated to addressing vaccine concerns
  • Background on how vaccine policy is made
  • Standards and regulations
  • Office logistics, including billing procedures, and much more
About the Author
Gary Marshall, MD, is professor of pediatrics at the University of Louisville School of Medicine in Kentucky, where he serves as chief of the division of pediatric infectious diseases and director of the Pediatric Clinical Trials Unit. In addition to being a busy clinician, he is nationally known for his work in the areas of vaccine research, advocacy, and education.

The newly released fifth edition of this invaluable guide is now available on IAC’s website at www.immunize.org/vaccine-handbook.

The price of the handbook is $29.95 each, plus shipping charges. Discount pricing is available for more than 10 copies. Order copies for your staff or for distribution at an upcoming conference.

Quantity Discount Pricing
  • 1–10 books: no discount + shipping
  • 11–50 books: 5% + shipping
  • 51–100 books: 10% + shipping
  • 101–500 books: 15% + shipping
  • 501–1000 books: 20% + shipping
For quotes on larger quantities, email admininfo@immunize.org.

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JOURNAL ARTICLES AND NEWSLETTERS
May issue of CDC's Immunization Works newsletter now available

CDC recently released the May issue of its monthly newsletter Immunization Works and posted it on the website of the National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases (NCIRD). The newsletter offers the immunization community information about current topics. The information is in the public domain and can be reproduced and circulated widely.

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CDC publishes report on hepatitis B screening and prevalence among refugees in the U.S.

CDC published Hepatitis B Screening and Prevalence Among Resettled Refugees—United States, 2006–2011 in the June 5 issue of MMWR (pages 570–573). The first paragraph is reprinted below.

Globally, more than two billion persons have been infected at some time with the hepatitis B virus (HBV), and approximately 3.5 million refugees have chronic HBV infection. The endemicity of HBV varies by region. Because chronic hepatitis B is infectious and persons with chronic infection benefit from treatment, CDC recommends screening for HBV among all refugees who originate in countries where the prevalence of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg; a marker for acute or chronic infection) is ≥2% or who are at risk for HBV because of personal characteristics such as injection drug use or household contact with an individual with HBV infection. Currently, almost all refugees are routinely screened for hepatitis B. However, prevalence rates of HBV infection in refugee populations recently resettled in the United States have not been determined. A multisite, retrospective study was performed to evaluate the prevalence of past HBV infection, current infection, and immunity among refugees resettled in the United States; to better characterize the burden of hepatitis B in this population; and to inform screening recommendations. The study incorporated surveillance data from a large state refugee health program and chart reviews from three U.S. sites that conduct medical screenings of refugees. The prevalence of HBV infection (current or past as determined by available titer levels) varied among refugees originating in different countries and was higher among Burmese refugees than among refugees from Bhutan or Iraq. Current or past HBV infection was also higher among adults (aged >18 years) and male refugees. These data might help inform planning by states and resettlement agencies, as well as screening decisions by health care providers.

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EDUCATION AND TRAINING
CDC Public Health Grand Rounds to present session about eliminating measles globally on June 16

CDC's Public Health Grand Rounds will present "Working to Eliminate Measles Around the Globe" on June 16 at 1:00 p.m. (ET). Those interested in viewing this one-hour session should go to the live external webcast link during the scheduled time.

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CDC's May 20 "Current Issues in Immunization NetConference" on HPV vaccination and vaccine administration errors now archived

CDC has posted its May 20 "Current Issues in Immunization Netconference" on its website. This webinar included an HPV vaccine update and a presentation on vaccine administration errors reported to VAERS. Related Link Back to top


ASK THE EXPERTS
Question of the Week

Should a male postpone receiving the MMR vaccine if he and his spouse are trying to conceive? 
 

No. If a man receives a dose of MMR vaccine, he does not need to avoid conception for any interval. There is no risk of transmission of MMR vaccine virus from a vaccinated man to a woman, regardless of the level of intimacy.


About IAC's Question of the Week

Each week, IAC Express highlights a new, topical, or important-to-reiterate Q&A. This feature is a cooperative venture between IAC and CDC. William L. Atkinson, MD, MPH, IAC's associate director for immunization education, chooses a new Q&A to feature every week from a set of Q&As prepared by experts at CDC’s National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases.

We hope you enjoy this new feature and find it helpful when dealing with difficult real-life scenarios in your vaccination practice. Please encourage your healthcare professional colleagues to sign up to receive IAC Express at www.immunize.org/subscribe.

If you have a question for the CDC immunization experts, you can email them directly at nipinfo@cdc.gov. There is no charge for this service.

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About IZ Express

IZ Express is supported in part by Grant No. NH23IP922654 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.

IZ Express Disclaimer
ISSN 2771-8085

Editorial Information

  • Editor-in-Chief
    Kelly L. Moore, MD, MPH
  • Managing Editor
    John D. Grabenstein, RPh, PhD
  • Associate Editor
    Sharon G. Humiston, MD, MPH
  • Writer/Publication Coordinator
    Taryn Chapman, MS
    Courtnay Londo, MA
  • Style and Copy Editor
    Marian Deegan, JD
  • Web Edition Managers
    Arkady Shakhnovich
    Jermaine Royes
  • Contributing Writer
    Laurel H. Wood, MPA
  • Technical Reviewer
    Kayla Ohlde

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