IAC Express 2011

Issue number 943: July 25, 2011

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Contents of this Issue
Select a title to jump to the article.
  1. Reminder: IAC launched a major redesign of www.immunize.org
  2. FDA approves the 2011-12 influenza vaccine formulation for manufacturers licensed to produce and distribute influenza vaccine in the U.S.
  3. IAC's Video of the Week features a mother's account of her daughter's poor outcome from measles--wishes she had vaccinated her
  4. Nominate an outstanding person for an ECBT Immunization Award--application deadline is August 15
  5. WHO publishes report on rotavirus vaccine and intussusception
  6. MMWR announces the first official World Hepatitis Day will be held on July 28
  7. MMWR reports on sexual transmission of hepatitis C virus among HIV-infected men who have sex with men
  8. CDC website posts presentation slide sets from the June 2011 ACIP meeting
  9. New: CDC issues VIS for adenovirus vaccine
  10. IAC's popular laminated versions of the 2011 U.S. immunization schedules are available. Order a supply for your workplace today!
  11. Award-winning DVD! "Immunization Techniques: Best Practices with Infants, Children, and Adults"--from the California Department of Public Health, Immunization Branch
  12. New Jersey Immunization Network's webinar on adolescent immunization scheduled for August 10
  13. Louisiana's Shots for Tots immunization conference set for October 27-28 in New Orleans
 
Abbreviations
AAFP, American Academy of Family Physicians; AAP, American Academy of Pediatrics; ACIP, Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices; AMA, American Medical Association; CDC, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; FDA, Food and Drug Administration; IAC, Immunization Action Coalition; MMWR, Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report; NCIRD, National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases; NIVS, National Influenza Vaccine Summit; VIS, Vaccine Information Statement; VPD, vaccine-preventable disease; WHO, World Health Organization.
  
Issue 943: July 25, 2011
1.  Reminder: IAC launched a major redesign of www.immunize.org

IAC has launched a major redesign of its website for healthcare professionals, www.immunize.org The newly designed website offers you a deeper and broader experience through improved design and navigation, making it faster and easier for you to find the essential information that you want and have come to expect from IAC. To see the improvements that have taken place, please visit http://www.immunize.org today!

The new design includes drop-down menus of six major sections on immunize.org. Also, new sections include Clinic Resources, News and Information, Featured Resources, A to Z Index, and more.

We hope you have a chance to explore the redesigned http://www.immunize.org If you are interested in providing feedback about the new redesign, we would love to hear your comments. Please complete our brief survey at http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/SX5RMD6
 
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2 FDA approves the 2011-12 influenza vaccine formulation for manufacturers licensed to produce and distribute influenza vaccine in the U.S.

On July 18, CDC issued a press release announcing it has approved the 2011-12 influenza vaccine formulation. Portions of the press release are reprinted below.


The U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced today that it has approved the 2011-2012 influenza vaccine formulation for all six manufacturers licensed to produce and distribute influenza vaccine for the United States.

Vaccination remains the cornerstone of preventing influenza, a contagious respiratory disease caused by influenza viruses. The vaccine formulation protects against the three virus strains that surveillance indicates will be most common during the upcoming season and includes the same virus strains used for the 2010-2011 influenza season.

On average, between 5 percent and 20 percent of the U.S. population develops influenza each year, leading to more than 200,000 hospitalizations from related complications, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Influenza-related deaths vary yearly, ranging from a low of about 3,000 to a high of 49,000 people. . . .

The brand names and manufacturers of the vaccines for the upcoming season are: Afluria, CSL Limited; Fluarix, GlaxoSmithKline Biologicals; FluLaval, ID Biomedical Corporation; FluMist, MedImmune Vaccines Inc.; Fluvirin, Novartis Vaccines and Diagnostics Limited; and Fluzone, Fluzone High-Dose and Fluzone Intradermal, Sanofi Pasteur Inc. Fluzone Intradermal, approved on May 9, 2011, will be available for those ages 18 years through 64 years. This vaccine is delivered into the skin, rather than the muscle, using a very small needle. . . .


To access the press release, go to: http://www.fda.gov/NewsEvents/Newsroom/PressAnnouncements/ucm263319.htm
 
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3 IAC's Video of the Week features a mother's account of her daughter's poor outcome from measles--wishes she had vaccinated her

IAC encourages IAC Express readers to watch "Rachel's Story," a 4-minute video of a mother describing the extreme sickness, hospitalization, and permanent hearing loss her 3-year-old daughter experienced after she contracted measles at a birthday party. The video was developed by the United Kingdom's National Health Service.

The video will be available on the home page of IAC's website through July 31. To access it, go to: http://www.immunize.org and click on the image under the words Video of the Week.

Remember to bookmark IAC's home page to view a new video every Monday.

To access the archives of IAC's Videos of the Week, go to: http://www.immunize.org/votw
 
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4 Nominate an outstanding person for an ECBT Immunization Award--application deadline is August 15

At its 20th Anniversary Gala, which will be held in Washington, DC, on October 11, Every Child By Two (ECBT) will present awards to three individuals for achievement, leadership, and overall excellence in the field of immunization. The application deadline is 5PM ET, August 15.

Awards will be given in three categories:
  • Martin H. Smith, MD, Award for Achievement in Childhood Immunization--to be presented to a physician who is dedicated to ensuring access to immunization for all children
     
  • ECBT Immunization Leadership Award--to be presented to an individual working at the national level who has shown leadership in the field of immunization
  • ECBT Immunization Champion Award--to be presented to an individual working at the state or local level who has shown leadership in the field of immunization

The online application form lists the criteria for each award and provides complete instructions. To access it, go to: http://ecbt.org/gala/ecbtgalanom.doc

Email entries to Dena Penner at dena@ecbt.org; address questions to her at the same email address. Alternatively, fax entries to ECBT at (202) 783-7042.

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5 WHO publishes report on rotavirus vaccine and intussusception

On July 22, the WHO publication Weekly Epidemiological Record (WER) published "Rotavirus Vaccine and Intussusception: Report from an expert consultation." To access the report, go to: http://www.who.int/wer/2011/wer8630.pdf
 
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6 MMWR announces the first official World Hepatitis Day will be held on July 28

CDC published "World Hepatitis Day--July 28, 2011" in the July 22 issue of MMWR. The article is reprinted below, excluding references.


July 28, 2011, marks the first official World Hepatitis Day established by the World Health Organization (WHO). CDC joins with WHO in calling for a renewed commitment against a largely silent but persistent epidemic. Worldwide, nearly 500 million persons are living with chronic hepatitis B virus or hepatitis C virus (HCV) infections, and these infections cause approximately 1 million deaths annually; most persons with chronic viral hepatitis are unaware of their infections. Effective tools are available to prevent infection with viral hepatitis, including hepatitis B vaccination, surveillance, education, screening, and treatment; the challenge is to build the capacity to extend these interventions globally. In 2010, the World Health Assembly passed a resolution urging greater control of viral hepatitis.

In Europe, HCV infection outbreaks and rising incidence have been observed among men who have sex with men (MSM) with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. This issue of MMWR includes a report on sexual transmission of HCV among HIV-infected MSM in New York City. The findings emphasize the importance of HCV screening among these men, which allows for preventive care and treatment.

In the United States, World Hepatitis Day will be observed July 28 at a White House event. Information regarding the webcast of this event will be available at http://www.cdc.gov/hepatitis


To access the article, go to: http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm6028a1.htm
 
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7 MMWR reports on sexual transmission of hepatitis C virus among HIV-infected men who have sex with men

CDC published "Sexual Transmission of Hepatitis C Virus Among HIV-Infected Men Who Have Sex with Men--New York City, 2005-2010" in the July 22 issue of MMWR. A press summary of the article is reprinted below.


The role of sexual transmission of hepatitis C virus (HCV) has not been well-understood, but a new study from New York City now provides evidence of sexual transmission of HCV among men who have sex with men (MSM) who also are living with HIV.

HCV transmission primarily occurs through percutaneous exposure to blood, and persons who inject drugs are at greatest risk. After observing a large increase in the number of new cases of HCV transmission among HIV-infected MSM, investigators at Mount Sinai Medical Center, along with CDC, took a closer look to examine the role of sexual transmission among these men; none had other risk factors for HCV infection, including injection drug use. Researchers found that men co-infected with HIV and HCV were significantly more likely to engage in high-risk sexual behaviors and non-injection drug use during sex. In addition, HCV genetic analysis suggested that HCV was transmitted within social networks of these men. The findings are particularly concerning because research has shown that infection with HIV may lead to an increased likelihood of sexual transmission of HCV and accelerate HCV disease progression. HCV testing for all HIV-infected MSM is critical, especially for men engaging in high-risk behavior. Clinicians should remind patients that unprotected sex between HIV-infected partners can transmit other infections, including HCV.


To access the full article, go to: http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm6028a2.htm
 
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8 CDC website posts presentation slide sets from the June 2011 ACIP meeting

The CDC website recently posted the PowerPoint slide sets presented at the June 22-23 ACIP meeting. To access the slide sets, go to: http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/recs/acip/slides-jun11.htm
 
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9 New: CDC issues VIS for adenovirus vaccine

On July 14, CDC issued the VIS for adenovirus vaccine. The vaccine, which is intended for use only among military personnel age 17-50 years, was licensed by FDA on March 16, 2011.

To access the VIS for adenovirus vaccine, go to: http://www.immunize.org/vis/vis_adenovirus.pdf

For information about the use of VISs, and for VISs in more than 35 languages, visit IAC's VIS web section at http://www.immunize.org/vis
 
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10.  IAC's popular laminated versions of the 2011 U.S. immunization schedules are available. Order a supply for your workplace today!

IAC's laminated versions of the 2011 U.S. child/teen and adult immunization schedules are covered with a tough, washable coating that lets them stand up to a year's worth of use in every area of your workplace where immunizations are given. Each has six pages (i.e., three double-sided pages) and is folded to measure 8.5" by 11".

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

To view images of the laminated schedules, or to order online or download an order form, go to: http://www.immunize.org/shop/laminated-schedules.asp

For quotes on customizing or placing orders in excess of 999 schedules, call (651) 647-9009 or email admininfo@immunize.org

To learn about other essential immunization resources available for purchase from IAC, go to: http://www.immunize.org/shop
 
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11.  Award-winning DVD! "Immunization Techniques: Best Practices with Infants, Children, and Adults"--from the California Department of Public Health, Immunization Branch

The California Department of Public Health (CDPH), Immunization Branch, has updated its award-winning training video, "Immunization Techniques: Best Practices with Infants, Children, and Adults." The 25-minute program can be used to train new employees and to refresh the skills of experienced staff. The video demonstrates the skills and techniques needed to administer vaccines to patients of all ages.

Prices start at $17 each for 1-9 copies and are greatly reduced for large orders, dropping to $3 each for 1,000-1,499 copies.

To learn more about the DVD, and find out how to order it, go to: http://www.immunize.org/dvd

For quotes on larger quantities, call (651) 647-9009 or email admininfo@immunize.org

The Immunization Action Coalition is the only nationwide vendor of the DVD.

Note for healthcare settings located in California: Contact your local health department immunization program for a free copy.
 
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12.  New Jersey Immunization Network's webinar on adolescent immunization scheduled for August 10

The New Jersey Immunization Network's webinar "Adolescent Immunization: Strategies for Protecting Our Teens" is scheduled for August 10 from noon to 1PM ET. The speaker is Margaret Fisher, MD, FAAP, medical director, Children's Hospital at Monmouth Medical Center.

For more information on the webinar and to register for it, go to: https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/331984307
 
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13.  Louisiana's Shots for Tots immunization conference set for October 27-28 in New Orleans

Louisiana's 19th annual Shots for Tots conference will be held in New Orleans on October 27-28. Featured speakers include Paul Offit, MD, who will speak on the threats posed by the anti-vaccine movement, and CDC's Yabo Beysolow, MD, MPH, FAAP, who will give the 2011 CDC update. Dr. Offit is director of the Vaccine Education Center at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia.

To access the conference brochure, which includes a mail-in registration form, go to: http://www.shotsfortots.com/19thShotsConference.pdf

 
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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

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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