IAC Express 2011

Issue number 953: September 19, 2011
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Contents of this Issue
Select a title to jump to the article.
  1. Laurel Wood joins the Immunization Action Coalition as coordinator for public health
  2. AAP responds to Rep. Michele Bachmann's assertion that HPV vaccine can have "very dangerous side effects" on children's health
  3. IAC's Video of the Week features Dr. Arthur Caplan's challenge to Rep. Bachmann to produce her HPV "victim"
  4. CDC publishes report on influenza-associated pediatric deaths in the United States from September 2010 through August 2011
  5. Bulk quantities of the 2011-12 Influenza Vaccine Pocket Guides and PPSV Pocket Guides available--FREE!--from the National Influenza Vaccine Summit
  6. Olympic Gold Medalist Kristi Yamaguchi spearheads the American Lung Association's Faces of Influenza Campaign
  7. CDC publishes an update on U.S. and worldwide influenza activity from May 22 through September 3, 2011
  8. Cervical Cancer-Free America launches publication of an email newsletter--become a subscriber today!
  9. Spotlight on immunize.org: vaccine news and information web section
  10. CDC updates providers about febrile seizures related to simultaneous administration of PCV13 and TIV vaccines
  11. Reader alert: If you registered for VICNetwork's "What's New with the Flu?" webinar, you need to register again
  12. On October 5--Orange Nose Day--share what you know about the five steps to good health
  13. IAC's popular laminated versions of the 2011 U.S. immunization schedules are available. Order a supply for your workplace today!
  14. Award-winning DVD! "Immunization Techniques: Best Practices with Infants, Children, and Adults"--from the California Department of Public Health, Immunization Branch
  15. Immunize Nevada to present CDC's "Epidemiology and Prevention of Vaccine-Preventable Diseases" course in Reno on November 2-4
 
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 953: September 19, 2011
1.  Laurel Wood joins the Immunization Action Coalition as coordinator for public health

Laurel Wood, MPA, recently joined the Immunization Action Coalition (IAC) as coordinator for public health.

Laurel has worked in a variety of public health communicable disease/epidemiology programs for almost thirty years. She recently retired after serving for sixteen years as the immunization program manager for the Alaska Department of Health and Social Services. In that role Laurel provided overall management and oversight for multiple program activities, including distribution of vaccines from a centralized depot to public and private providers throughout the state, development of a state immunization information system (IIS), and coordination of site visits with VFC providers and school/child care facilities. Laurel is the author of more than eighty immunization articles published in the State of Alaska Epidemiology Bulletin, and for many years she provided immunization training for students in the nursing/nurse practitioner programs at the University of Alaska Anchorage.

Laurel was the recipient of the 2007 Natalie J. Smith, M.D. Award, presented by the Association of Immunization Managers (AIM) "in recognition of her high level of initiative, creativity and commitment to achieving vaccine-preventable disease goals, her service as a role model for immunization program managers, and her significant contributions to the advancement of the mission of the Association of Immunization Managers."

Prior to moving to Alaska, Laurel served for fourteen years in a variety of roles with the Tennessee Department of Health, including section chief of Communicable and Environmental Disease Services and director of the AIDS/HIV Program.

Laurel helped found the Association of Immunization Managers, serving in leadership capacities or as a member of the organization's Executive Committee from 1999-2011. In 1999, she became AIM's original chair, and she assumed the role of chair again in 2009. She represented AIM on several national committees and served as the lead of the Guidelines for Vaccine Storage and Handling Equipment Subgroup of CDC's International Vaccine Stability Workgroup.

We have added Laurel to IAC's staff page at http://www.immunize.org/aboutus/iacstaff.asp
 
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2.  AAP responds to Rep. Michele Bachmann's assertion that HPV vaccine can have "very dangerous side effects" on children's health

On September 13, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) issued a statement titled "American Academy of Pediatrics Statement on HPV Vaccine." AAP issued the statement in response to U.S. Rep. Michele Bachmann's (R-MN) declaration that HPV vaccine can have "very dangerous side effects" on children's health. Rep. Bachmann made the assertion on Fox News, following CNN's September 12 CNN-Tea Party Republican presidential debate. A video of Rep. Bachmann making these remarks was aired on NBC's Today Show on September 13.

Written by AAP President O. Marion Burton, MD, the AAP statement is reprinted below.

[Note: At the end of this IAC Express article, readers will find a link to an excellent editorial, "Bachmann's foolish attack on vaccines." It appeared in the September 13 issue of the Minneapolis StarTribune. In addition, IAC has compiled media coverage of the issue on its Vaccine News web page at http://www.immunize.org/vaccinenews]


The American Academy of Pediatrics would like to correct false statements made in the Republican presidential campaign that HPV vaccine is dangerous and can cause mental retardation. There is absolutely no scientific validity to this statement. Since the vaccine has been introduced, more than 35 million doses have been administered, and it has an excellent safety record.

The American Academy of Pediatrics, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the American Academy of Family Physicians all recommend that girls receive HPV vaccine around age 11 or 12. That's because this is the age at which the vaccine produces the best immune response in the body, and because it's important to protect girls well before the onset of sexual activity. In the U.S., about 6 million people, including teens, become infected with HPV each year, and 4,000 women die from cervical cancer. This is a life-saving vaccine that can protect girls from cervical cancer.


To access the AAP statement, go to: http://www.aap.org/advocacy/releases/hpv2011.pdf

To access the Minneapolis StarTribune editorial, go to: http://www.startribune.com/opinion/editorials/129765523.html

To access media coverage of this and other vaccine issues, go to: http://www.immunize.org/vaccinenews
 
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3.  IAC's Video of the Week features Dr. Arthur Caplan's challenge to Rep. Bachmann to produce her HPV "victim"

IAC encourages IAC Express readers to watch a 4-minute clip of CNN commentator Anderson Cooper interviewing Dr. Arthur Caplan about Dr. Caplan's challenge to U.S. Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-MN) to produce her HPV "victim." Dr. Caplan, the director of the Center for Bioethics and professor of bioethics at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia, made the challenge in response to remarks Rep. Bachmann made earlier in the week about the dangers of HPV vaccine. See story #2 in this issue of IAC Express for context.

The video will be available on the home page of IAC's website through September 25. 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.  CDC publishes report on influenza-associated pediatric deaths in the United States from September 2010 through August 2011

CDC published "Influenza-Associated Pediatric Deaths--United States, September 2010-August 2011" in the September 16 issue of MMWR. A press summary of the article is reprinted below.

[Editor's note: On September 15, CDC issued a related press release titled "CDC report details influenza prevention and treatment for children and teens." A link to it is provided at the end of this IAC Express article.]


A total of 115 influenza-associated pediatric deaths were reported to CDC that occurred from September 1, 2010, to August 31, 2011. Fifty-six (49 percent) of the children who died from influenza virus infections during the 2010-11 influenza season had no reported high-risk medical conditions. Children without high-risk medical conditions had a shorter interval between illness onset and death (4 days versus 7 days), were more likely to die at home or in the emergency department, and were more likely to have a positive bacterial culture from a sterile site. Among children who died from influenza, few (23 percent) were vaccinated and 50 percent received antiviral therapy. Although influenza-associated pediatric mortality is rare, healthcare providers should be mindful of the potential for severe outcomes of influenza in children. Although influenza antiviral medications are a valuable adjunct to preventing and reducing the impact of influenza, annual influenza vaccination remains the primary prevention tool against influenza-associated complications.


To access the article, go to: http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm6036a1.htm

To access the related CDC press release titled "CDC report details influenza prevention and treatment for children and teens," click here.
 
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5.  Bulk quantities of the 2011-12 Influenza Vaccine Pocket Guides and PPSV Pocket Guides available--FREE!--from the National Influenza Vaccine Summit

To aid in efforts to vaccinate against influenza and pneumococcal disease, readers are invited to place orders now for bulk quantities of the National Influenza Vaccine Summit's 2011-12 Influenza Vaccine Pocket Information Guide and Pneumococcal Polysaccharide Vaccination (PPSV) Pocket Guide. Both are free--you can order them in the hundreds or thousands!

These laminated, 3.75 x 6.75-inch, 2-color cards serve as a convenient reference for front-line healthcare professionals who vaccinate patients. Place a bulk order now, and your organization will be ready to educate healthcare professionals at upcoming immunization training sessions and conferences. Each staff person who administers influenza or PPSV vaccine needs these handy resources.

THE 2011-12 INFLUENZA POCKET GUIDE PROVIDES THE FOLLOWING
INFORMATION:
  • Important points for healthcare providers
     
  • Indications, contraindications, and precautions for the injectable, intradermal, and intranasal influenza vaccines
     
  • Clear direction regarding which children ages 6 months through 8 years need 2 doses of influenza vaccine this year
     
  • Dosage, route of administration, and indicated age group for all the various influenza vaccine products
     
  • Talking points for discussing influenza vaccination with patients

See an image of the influenza vaccine pocket guide at http://www.immunize.org/pocketguides/pocketguide_flu.pdf

The influenza pocket guide also serves as a reminder to keep giving influenza vaccine throughout influenza season (through the spring months).

THE PPSV POCKET GUIDE PROVIDES THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION:

  • Indications for vaccination with PPSV, contraindications, and precautions
     
  • Indications for vaccination with 2 doses of PPSV and intervals between doses
     
  • Dosage and routes of administration

See an image of the PPSV pocket guide at http://www.immunize.org/pocketguides/pocketguide_ppsv.pdf

The 2011-12 influenza pocket guide and PPSV pocket guide are designed to be used by healthcare professionals only; THEY ARE NOT PATIENT HANDOUTS.

HOW TO ORDER
Place your order at http://www.preventinfluenza.org/pocketguides There is no cost for the pocket guides, shipping, or handling within the U.S. They're going fast, so to avoid disappointment, place your order ASAP!

If you have questions, email admininfo@immunize.org

BACKGROUND
For background information on the pocket guides, see http://www.immunize.org/express/issue949.asp#n3

Thanks for your dedication to immunization, and don't forget to keep vaccinating against influenza through the spring months!

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6.  Olympic Gold Medalist Kristi Yamaguchi spearheads the American Lung Association's Faces of Influenza Campaign

The American Lung Association is kicking off the national Faces of Influenza initiative to remind people that vaccination is important for everyone age 6 months and older. The initiative is spearheaded by program spokesperson Olympic Gold Medalist Kristi Yamaguchi, mother of two. Along with her mother, Carole, Kristi is leading mothers across the nation to help raise influenza immunization rates among family members of all generations. She joins other celebrities, health officials, and everyday people as they share their personal experiences with influenza disease and encourage annual influenza vaccination.

Faces of Influenza is a multi-media national and regional awareness program designed to educate the public about the seriousness of influenza and encourage annual influenza immunization. The full 2011-2012 campaign tool kit, as well as TV and radio PSAs, can be accessed and downloaded from the campaign website, http://www.facesofinfluenza.org
 
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7.  CDC publishes an update on U.S. and worldwide influenza activity from May 22 through September 3, 2011

CDC published "Update: Influenza Activity--United States and Worldwide, May 22-September 3, 2011" in the September 16 issue of MMWR. A press summary of the article is reprinted below.


The United States experienced low levels of influenza activity from May 22 to September 3, 2011; and influenza A (H3N2), 2009 influenza A (H1N1), and influenza B viruses were detected worldwide and identified sporadically in the United States. Typical seasonal patterns of influenza activity occurred in the Southern Hemisphere. Although neither the influenza virus strain that will predominate nor the severity of influenza-related disease activity for the 2011-12 influenza season in the United States can be predicted, antigenic characterization of viral isolates submitted during the summer demonstrated that the vast majority of isolates were antigenically similar to the influenza vaccine strains in the Northern Hemisphere 2011-12 vaccine. To prevent influenza and its associated complications, influenza vaccination is recommended in all persons aged >=6 months and should proceed for all persons without contraindications to vaccination as soon as vaccine is available in their community.


To access the article, go to: http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm6036a2.htm
 
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8.  Cervical Cancer-Free America launches publication of an email newsletter--become a subscriber today!

Cervical Cancer-Free America has just published the premiere issue of the Cervical Cancer-Free America (CCFA) Newsletter. Its purpose is to provide up-to-date news related to cervical cancer prevention including HPV vaccination, screening, and education, as well as news items from CCFA and its six partner states.

To access the premiere issue, click here.

To subscribe, go to: http://www.cervicalcancerfreeamerica.org/mailing-list

CCFA is a multi-year, multi-state initiative aimed at building a broad public health strategy to eliminate cervical cancer through vaccination, screening, and education. To find out more, visit http://www.cervicalcancerfreeamerica.org
 
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9.  Spotlight on immunize.org: vaccine news and information web section

Looking for up-to-the-minute news and information about vaccines and vaccine-preventable diseases? Look no further. IAC's News and Information web section helps you stay current on news and activities pertaining to immunization. Information sources include the federal government, professional societies, national and international organizations, and specialized and mainstream media. In addition, the News and Information home page features live feeds from Google News and IAC's tweets on Twitter.

You can access it from the central feature box on the www.immunize.org home page.

To directly access the News and Information section, visit http://www.immunize.org/news
 
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10.  CDC updates providers about febrile seizures related to simultaneous administration of PCV13 and TIV vaccines

On September 9, CDC posted additional information about the potential risk of febrile seizures when trivalent inactivated influenza (TIV) vaccine and PCV13 are administered simultaneously. Titled "Update on Febrile Seizures in Children Following Vaccination with Influenza Vaccines and Pneumococcal Vaccines," the information may be useful in explaining this risk to patients who read the brief note about it on the 2011-12 inactivated influenza vaccine VIS.

To access the update, go to: http://www.cdc.gov/vaccinesafety/Concerns/FebrileSeizures.html
 
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11.  Reader alert: If you registered for VICNetwork's "What's New with the Flu?" webinar, you need to register again

Because of a problem with the VICNetwork registration system, people who registered before Monday, September 19, for the webinar titled "What's New with the Flu?" will have to register again. The login information you received before September 19 will not work.

To re-register, go to: https://nphic-cic.webex.com/mw0306ld/mywebex/default.do?siteurl=nphic-cic

The webinar is scheduled for September 21 at 11 a.m. PT (2 p.m. ET). For details about the webinar, go to: http://www.immunize.org/express/issue951.asp#n17
 
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12.  On October 5--Orange Nose Day--share what you know about the five steps to good health

October 5--Orange Nose Day--is one day in the year when you can surprise your patients or others by wearing an orange foam nose while you share tips on any or all of the following five steps to good health:

1. Wash hands
2. Get immunized
3. Eat colorful foods
4. Exercise
5. Avoid body fluids

The orange nose catches people off guard and can make them receptive to hearing and remembering your health messages.

To help you get your point across, you can download a variety of visual aids (such as "Orange you glad you're healthy" posters, banners, etc.).

You can also participate in the virtual world by uploading your picture, adding an orange nose to it, and posting it on your social media sites.

To find out more about Orange Nose Day and resources available to you, nose around on the website at http://www.orangenoseday.org
 
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13.  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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14.  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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15.  Immunize Nevada to present CDC's "Epidemiology and Prevention of Vaccine-Preventable Diseases" course in Reno on November 2-4

Immunize Nevada is sponsoring a 3-day conference, "Epidemiology and Prevention of Vaccine-Preventable Diseases," on November 2-4 in Reno, NV. The opening day of the conference will include a keynote talk by Ari Brown, MD, FAAP, and other regional and national speakers. The next two days will feature presentations by immunization experts from CDC's National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases (NCIRD).

For more information, go to: http://immunizenevada.org/nile-conference
 
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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.

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

This page was updated on .

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