| Issue 1008: August 7, 2012 TOP STORIES
IAC HANDOUTS
IAC WEB SECTIONS FEATURED RESOURCES EDUCATION AND TRAINING
CONFERENCES AND MEETINGS TOP STORIES CDC issues Health Advisory on increase in Influenza A(H3N2v) infections in three U.S. states On August 3, CDC issued an official CDC Health Advisory titled Increase in Influenza A H3N2v Virus Infections in Three U.S. States. The section titled Summary and Background is reprinted below. The Health Advisory also includes sections on interim recommendations for the public, interim recommendations for healthcare providers, and links to additional resources. Summary and Background Multiple infections with variant influenza A (H3N2v) viruses have been identified in 3 states in recent weeks. From July 12 through August 3, 2012, 16 cases of H3N2v were reported and confirmed by CDC. This virus was first detected in humans in July 2011. It has also been isolated in U.S. swine in many U.S. states. Since July 12, 2011, there have been 29 cases of H3N2v virus infection, including the 16 cases occurring in the last three weeks. All 29 cases were infected with H3N2v viruses that contain the matrix (M) gene from the influenza A (H1N1)pdm09 virus. This M gene may confer increased transmissibility to and among humans, compared to other variant influenza viruses. All cases have been laboratory-confirmed at CDC. Each of the 16 cases identified since July 12, 2012, reported contact with swine prior to illness onset; in 15 cases, contact occurred while attending or exhibiting swine at an agricultural fair. While the viruses identified in these cases are genetically nearly identical, separate swine exposure events in each state were associated with human infections. There is no indication that the cases in different states are epidemiologically related. Clinical characteristics of the 16 H3N2v recent cases have been generally consistent with signs and symptoms of seasonal influenza, and have included fever, cough, pharyngitis, myalgia, and headache. No hospitalizations or deaths have occurred among the 16 confirmed cases since July 2012. Public health and agriculture officials are investigating the extent of disease among humans and swine, and additional cases are likely to be identified as the investigation continues. Novel influenza A virus infection has been a nationally notifiable condition in the United States since 2007. Since that time, human infection with animal-origin influenza viruses has been rare, with ≤6 cases reported each year, until 2011 when 14 cases were identified. While most of the cases are thought to have been infected as a result of close contact with swine, limited human-to-human transmission of this virus was identified in some cases in 2011. Therefore, enhanced influenza surveillance is indicated, especially in regions and states with confirmed H3N2v cases. Note: On August 3, Joseph Bresee, MD, chief, Epidemiology and Prevention Branch, Influenza Division, CDC, and Lisa Ferguson, DVM, National Animal Health Policy Programs, U.S. Department of Agriculture, conducted a telebriefing at which they presented updated information on the increase in influenza A(H3N2v) infections. A transcript is available. Back to top CDC study indicates people who are regularly exposed to rabies virus can survive without vaccination On August 1, CDC posted a press release titled CDC: Amazon study finds routine rabies exposures. The first two paragraphs are reprinted below. August is National Immunization Awareness Month National Immunization Awareness Month (NIAM) highlights the need for improving national immunization coverage levels and encourages all people to protect their health by being immunized against infectious diseases. CDC supports and encourages the efforts of state and local health departments and other immunization partners to celebrate NIAM and use this month to promote back to school immunizations, remind college students to catch up immunizations before they move into dormitories, and remind everyone that the influenza season is only a few months away. Related Links
Back to top Spotlight on immunize.org: six more healthcare organizations join IAC's Honor Roll for Patient Safety IAC urges qualifying healthcare organizations to apply for its Honor Roll for Patient Safety. The honor roll recognizes hospitals, medical practices, professional organizations, and government entities that have taken a stand for patient safety by implementing mandatory influenza vaccination policies for healthcare workers. More than 200 organizations are now enrolled. Since July 3, when IAC Express last reported on the Honor Roll for Patient Safety, the following six healthcare organizations have been enrolled. Healthcare organizations Westside Family Healthcare, Wilmington, DE; Washington Nursing Facility, Washington, DC; Sacred Heart Health System, Pensacola, FL; HealthLinc, Inc., Valparaiso, IN; Johns Hopkins Health System, Maryland (updated); Holy Family Memorial Hospital, Manitowoc, WI; and the Eastern Wisconsin Division of Hospital Sisters Health System, which includes two hospitals in Green Bay, WI (St. Vincent and St. Mary's) and one in Sheboygan, WI (St. Nicholas). Related Links
IAC HANDOUTS IAC updates two staff-education pieces that show how to administer IM and SC vaccine injections IAC recently revised How to Administer IM and SC Vaccine Injections to Adults and How to Administer IM and SC Vaccine Injections (covers administrating vaccine to children and adults). On both pieces, IAC clarified Information on which size needle to use for patients of different weights. Additionally, information was added to the adult piece about administering pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV13) to certain high-risk adults. IAC's Handouts for Patients and 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. Back to top IAC makes extensive revisions to its adult screening questionnaire "Do I Need Any Vaccinations Today?" IAC revised every section of its comprehensive two-page adult screening questionnaire, Do I Need Any Vaccinations Today? This piece helps patients determine if they need to be vaccinated against one or more diseases. Back to top IAC revises "Standing Orders for Administering Pneumococcal (PPSV23 and PCV13) Vaccine to Adults" IAC updated Standing Orders for Administering Pneumococcal (PPSV23 and PCV13) Vaccine to Adults with information about administering PCV13 to certain high-risk adults. Information was also added about the dosing interval between PPSV23 and PCV13 vaccines. In addition, the title was changed. Previously, the piece was titled "Standing Orders for Administering Pneumococcal Vaccine to Adults." Related Link Back to top IAC corrects error on its patient handout "Vaccinations for Adults: You're never too old to get immunized!" IAC has corrected a one-word error on its patient handout Vaccinations for Adults: You're never too old to get immunized! The error occurred in the left column (titled "Vaccine"). We erroneously presented the following text in the left column: "Pneumococcal polysaccharide (PPSV23, PCV13)." We have deleted the word "polysaccharide"; the text now reads "Pneumococcal (PPSV23, PCV13)." If you printed copies of the handout between July 24, 2012, and August 3, 2012, please discard them and print the corrected version of the handout IAC regrets the error and any confusion it may have caused IAC Express readers. Back to top IAC updates a URL on its patient handout "Tips for Locating Old Immunization Records" IAC recently updated a URL that appeared on its patient handout Tips for Locating Old Immunization Records. The URL appears in the fifth bullet in the section titled "PLACES YOU MAY WANT TO CHECK." The URL in question is for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's listing of registry contacts and websites. It has been updated to www.cdc.gov/vaccines/programs/iis/contacts-registry-staff.html. Back to top IAC WEB SECTIONS IAC updates online Ask the Experts Q&A section on diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis vaccines With input from vaccine experts at CDC, IAC recently updated the diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis section of Ask the Experts. To access Ask the Experts sections on other vaccines and diseases, see the Ask the Experts index page. Back to top FEATURED RESOURCES New: CDC print materials encourage influenza vaccination among Native Americans and Alaska Natives CDC recently posted a suite of full-color materials, Protect the Circle of Life, that encourages Native Americans and Alaska Natives to get vaccinated against influenza. The suite includes the following:
EDUCATION AND TRAINING Public Health Work's August 22 Immunization Strategies program offers free CE credit A program produced by Public Health Works, Immunization Strategies: Using the Evidence and What Works to Improve Practice, will air on August 22 at 2 p.m. ET. The program will feature interviews and examples from a case study in Los Angeles. Presenters include Ray Strikas, MD, MPH, Immunization Services Division, NCIRD, CDC. Continuing Education (CE) credit is available. Registration is required. Public Health Works is a training series newly inaugurated by the Public Health Foundation. Back to top NCIRD Director Dr. Anne Schuchat to speak about preteen vaccination at VICNetwork's August 28 webinar The VICNetwork's August 28 webinar will feature Anne Schuchat, MD, director, National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases (NCIRD). Dr. Schuchat will speak about preteen vaccinations, successes and challenges, and strategies for improving adolescent immunization rates. The webinar begins at 2 p.m. ET (11 a.m. PT). Registrations are being accepted. The Virtual Immunization Communication (VIC ) Network is a project of the National Public Health Information Coalition and the California Immunization Coalition. Back to top CONFERENCES AND MEETINGS American Public Health Association annual meeting planned for October 27–31 in San Francisco The American Public Health Association's annual meeting will be held in San Francisco on October 27–31. The deadline for early-bird registration is August 16. 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