IAC Express 2011

Issue number 956: October 3, 2011
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Contents of this Issue
Select a title to jump to the article.
  1. American Hospital Association endorses patient safety policies that require influenza vaccination of healthcare workers
  2. American Academy of Pediatrics updates three vaccine policy statements
  3. Bulk quantities of the 2011-12 Influenza Vaccine Pocket Guides and PPSV Pocket Guides available--FREE!--from the National Influenza Vaccine Summit
  4. Spotlight on immunize.org: New! School-located vaccination web section
  5. IAC's Video of the Week provides information on the 2011-12 influenza recommendations
  6. WHO announces composition of seasonal influenza vaccine for the 2012 southern hemisphere influenza season
  7. MMWR reports on progress in measles mortality reduction in India
  8. United Nations Foundation launches new global vaccines campaign
  9. MMWR reports on severe cases of 2009 H1N1 influenza in Utah
  10. CDC revises estimates of the public health impact of H1N1 influenza vaccination
  11. New VIS translations available: Korean and Ilokano for influenza and Yiddish for varicella
  12. IAC's popular laminated versions of the 2011 U.S. immunization schedules are available. Order a supply for your workplace today!
  13. Award-winning DVD! "Immunization Techniques: Best Practices with Infants, Children, and Adults"--from the California Department of Public Health, Immunization Branch
 
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 956: October 3, 2011
1.  American Hospital Association endorses patient safety policies that require influenza vaccination of healthcare workers

To protect the lives and welfare of patients and hospital employees, the American Hospital Association's (AHA) Board of Trustees recently approved a policy supporting mandatory patient safety policies that require healthcare workers to either get vaccinated against influenza or wear a mask in the presence of patients across healthcare settings during influenza season. This policy's aim is to achieve the highest possible level of protection.

On July 22, AHA published a Quality Advisory titled "AHA Endorses Patient Safety Policies Requiring Influenza Vaccination of Health Care Workers." The background section is reprinted below.


Influenza is a highly contagious disease that can be spread before symptoms appear and results in about 150,000 hospital admissions and 24,000 deaths annually. Hospitalized patients are particularly vulnerable to the dangers of influenza because their immune systems are often compromised by the illness that caused their admission or the treatments they are undergoing. Vaccination of health care workers (HCWs) has been shown to prevent illness and death in patients, and reduce influenza infections and absenteeism among HCWs. While the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has recommended annual vaccination of HCWs since 1981, only about half of HCWs in the United States are immunized annually.

In recent years, more and more hospitals and health care organizations are putting into place policies making seasonal influenza vaccinations mandatory for employees, affiliated medical staff, students, volunteers and contract workers as part of their commitment to patient safety. These policies often have resulted in vaccination rates above 90 percent.

Several key national professional organizations have endorsed mandatory policies for influenza vaccination as a condition of employment within health care facilities, including the Association of Professionals in Infection Control, American Academy of Pediatrics, Infectious Disease Society of America, National Patient Safety Foundation and Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America. The American Medical Association supports "universal" influenza vaccination of HCWs, but leaves it to each facility to decide whether or not a mandate is needed to achieve 100 percent vaccination coverage.

While the resources needed to implement a mandatory policy are significant, especially in terms of financial and personnel resources, the benefits of protecting vulnerable patients and reducing employee illness and absenteeism far outweigh the costs. Further, employee resistance can be overcome through careful education and open communication between hospital leadership and staff, as well as policies that permit certain reasonable exclusions and allow employees who cannot receive influenza vaccination to wear masks when they are in the presence of patients during the influenza season.


To access the full Quality Advisory, click here.

The Immunization Action Coalition's Honor Roll for Patient Safety recognizes professional associations that have developed position statements that endorse mandatory healthcare worker influenza vaccination. To access all position statements, go to: http://www.immunize.org/honor-roll Scroll down to the subhead titled Position Statements Endorsing Strong Mandates for Healthcare Workers.

IAC's honor roll recognizes hospitals, medical practices, professional organizations, and government entities that have taken a stand for patient safety by strengthening their mandatory influenza vaccination policies for healthcare workers. To find out more about the honor roll, access specific information on the mandates of the enrolled organizations, or submit your organization's application for the honor roll, go to: http://www.immunize.org/honor-roll
 
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2.  American Academy of Pediatrics updates three vaccine policy statements

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recently published the following updates to earlier vaccine statements:

"Recommendations for Administering Hepatitis A Vaccine to Contacts of International Adoptees"
http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/content/early/2011/09/21/peds.2011-1495.full.pdf+html

"Additional Recommendations for Use of Tetanus Toxoid, Reduced-Content Diphtheria Toxoid, and Acellular Pertussis Vaccine (Tdap)"
http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/content/early/2011/09/21/peds.2011-1752.full.pdf+html

"Poliovirus"
http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/content/early/2011/09/21/peds.2011-1751.full.pdf+html

To access links to all AAP vaccination policy statements on IAC's website, go to: http://www.immunize.org/aap
 
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3.  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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4.  Spotlight on immunize.org: New! School-located vaccination web section

Looking for information, guidance, or resources on school-located vaccination? Look no further. IAC's new web section "School-Located Vaccination" is a one-stop shop for consent forms, continuing education opportunities, toolkits, with lots of information from a variety of organizations. You can access it from the "Guide to immunize.org" at the bottom of IAC's home page.

To access the School-Located Vaccination section directly, visit: http://www.immunize.org/school-vaccination
 
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5.  IAC's Video of the Week provides information on the 2011-12 influenza recommendations

IAC encourages IAC Express readers to watch a 7-minute video on the 2011-12 influenza recommendations. In the video, Dr. Tim Uyeki from CDC's influenza division discusses this season's ACIP influenza recommendations, including a more permissive influenza vaccination recommendation for persons with egg allergies.

The video will be available on the home page of IAC's website through October 9. To access it, go to: http://www.immunize.org and click on the image under the words Video of the Week. This video is offered on the Medscape website. Registration (free) is required for first-time Medscape users to access the video.

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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6.  WHO announces composition of seasonal influenza vaccine for the 2012 southern hemisphere influenza season

The World Health Organization (WHO) recently released information about the composition of the strains that will be used for seasonal influenza vaccination in the southern hemisphere in 2012.


It is recommended that vaccines for use in the 2012 influenza season (southern hemisphere) contain the following:
  • an A/California/7/2009 (H1N1)pdm09-like virus;
  • an A/Perth/16/2009 (H3N2)-like virus;
  • a B/Brisbane/60/2008-like virus.

For more information, go to: "Recommended composition of influenza virus vaccines for use in the 2012 southern hemisphere influenza season"
http://www.who.int/influenza/vaccines/virus/recommendations/2011_09_recommendation.pdf
 
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7.  MMWR reports on progress in measles mortality reduction in India

CDC published "Progress in Implementing Measles Mortality Reduction Strategies--India, 2010-2011" in the September 30 issue of MMWR. The first paragraph of the editorial note is reprinted below.


Overall, 77% of global measles mortality in 2008 was attributable to measles deaths in the WHO South-East Asia Region, the majority of which occurred in India. Therefore, MCV2 [second dose of measles-containing vaccine] introduction in India as part of a comprehensive measles mortality reduction strategy is an important step towards achieving the global target of a 95% reduction in global measles deaths in 2015 from the 733,000 measles deaths estimated in 2000. The government of India is demonstrating strong commitment to this effort and is providing full financial support for the purchase of all vaccines and all logistic and operational costs of MCV2 introduction activities.


To access the full article, go to: http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm6038a4.htm
 
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8.  United Nations Foundation launches new global vaccines campaign

The United Nations Foundation has launched a new global vaccines campaign called Shot@Life. Next spring, Shot@Life will launch its consumer efforts to engage Americans, and particularly mothers, as champions for childhood vaccines in the developing world. Shot@Life brings together leading public health organizations, including The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, GAVI Alliance, UNICEF, American Academy of Pediatrics, American Red Cross, Lions International, and ABC News, to make sure children in the developing world have access to the vaccines they need to survive.

For more information, please visit http://shotatlife.org
 
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9.  MMWR reports on severe cases of 2009 H1N1 influenza in Utah

CDC published "Severe Illness from 2009 Pandemic Influenza A (H1N1)--Utah, 2009-10 Influenza Season" in the September 30 issue of MMWR.

To access the article, go to: http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm6038a3.htm
 
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10.  CDC revises estimates of the public health impact of H1N1 influenza vaccination

CDC published "Notice to Readers: Revised Estimates of the Public Health Impact of 2009 Pandemic Influenza A (H1N1) Vaccination" in the September 30 issue of MMWR. The first two paragraphs are reprinted below.


In the May 20, 2011, report, "Ten Great Public Health Achievements--United States, 2001-2010," on page 621, preliminary estimates of the impact of public health interventions during the 2009 H1N1 pandemic were presented as follows: "These public health interventions prevented an estimated 5-10 million cases, 30,000 hospitalizations, and 1,500 deaths." These estimates were derived using combined data from two sources: (1) an unpublished CDC model for estimating the impact of the 2009 H1N1 pandemic influenza vaccine on averting cases, hospitalizations, and deaths during the 2009-10 influenza season and (2) a model for estimating the impact of antiviral treatment in averting hospitalizations and deaths during the 2009-10 season. As a result of a programming error, the model used to estimate the impact of vaccination did not adequately adjust for the decreasing risk for disease as the pandemic progressed, and thus the impact of vaccination was overestimated.

The corrected estimates for the combined impact from vaccine and antiviral treatment are as follows: 713,000 to 1.5 million cases, 12,300 to 23,000 hospitalizations, and 620 to 1,160 deaths averted. Of these, 713,000 to 1.5 million cases, 3,900 to 10,400 hospitalizations, and 200 to 520 deaths were averted as a result of the vaccination campaign (CDC, unpublished data, 2011), whereas the use of influenza antiviral medications is estimated to have prevented another 8,400 to 12,600 hospitalizations and another 420 to 640 deaths.


To access the full article, go to: http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm6038a7.htm
 
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11.  New VIS translations available: Korean and Ilokano for influenza and Yiddish for varicella

The 2011-12 VIS for inactivated influenza (TIV) vaccine and the 2011-12 VIS for live, intranasal influenza (LAIV) vaccine are now available in Korean (spoken in North and South Korea) and Ilokano (spoken in the Philippines). IAC gratefully acknowledges the Hawaii Department of Health for the Ilokano translations and the California Department of Health, Immunization Branch, for the Korean translations.

The California Department of Health Services has also provided a Yiddish translation of the chickenpox VIS. Yiddish is spoken within many Orthodox Jewish communities around the world.

To access the new translations of the VIS for TIV, as well as the English version, go to:
http://www.immunize.org/vis/vis_flu_inactive.asp

To access the new translations of the VIS for LAIV, as well as the English version, go to:
http://www.immunize.org/vis/vis_flu_live.asp

To access the new translation of the VIS for chickenpox, as well as the English version, go to:
http://www.immunize.org/vis/vis_chickenpox.asp

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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12.  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 still available. 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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13.  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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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

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