| Issue 1028: November 27, 2012 TOP STORIES
IAC HANDOUTS FEATURED RESOURCES JOURNAL ARTICLES AND NEWSLETTERS EDUCATION AND TRAINING CONFERENCES AND MEETINGS TOP STORIES FDA approves first seasonal influenza vaccine manufactured using cell culture technology On November 20, FDA approved the use of the first influenza vaccine produced using cultured animal cells (Flucelvax; Novartis Vaccines and Diagnostics GmbH, Marburg, Germany). A portion of a related FDA press release issued on November 20 is reprinted below. FDA approves first seasonal influenza vaccine manufactured using cell culture technology The U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced today the approval of Flucelvax, the first seasonal influenza vaccine licensed in the United States produced using cultured animal cells, instead of fertilized chicken eggs. Flucelvax is approved to prevent seasonal influenza in people ages 18 years and older. The manufacturing process for Flucelvax is similar to the egg-based production method, but a significant difference is that the virus strains included in the vaccine are grown in animal cells of mammalian origin instead of in eggs. Cell culture technology has already been in use for several decades to produce other U.S. licensed vaccines. “Today’s approval represents the culmination of efforts to develop a seasonal influenza vaccine using cell culture as an alternative to the egg-based process,” said Karen Midthun, M.D., director of the FDA’s Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research. Cell culture technology is another manufacturing alternative to conventional egg-based influenza vaccine production. Advantages of cell culture technology include the ability to maintain an adequate supply of readily available, previously tested and characterized cells for use in vaccine production and the potential for a faster start-up of the vaccine manufacturing process in the event of a pandemic. Related Links Back to top IAC Spotlight! Influenza handouts for patients and staff National Influenza Vaccination Week is almost here (December 2–8)! So if you're looking for quick access to influenza vaccination-related handouts for patients and staff, look no further. IAC's Influenza Handouts web section features more than a dozen pieces to help you carry out your vaccination activities this week and during the entire influenza vaccination season. Related Links
Reminder: Be sure to register for CDC's November 29 NetConference on vaccine storage and handling CDC will present a Current Issues in Immunization NetConference on November 29 from noon to 1 p.m., ET. Dr. Chesley Richards, MD, MPH, FACP, director, Immunization Services Division, NCIRD, will speak on the impact and importance of proper vaccine storage and handling. Patricia Beckenhaupt, RN, MS, MPH, public health analyst, will discuss updated vaccine storage recommendations. JoEllen Wolicki, RN, BSN, nurse educator, will address storage and handling best practices and resources for providers. Registration, which is required, will close on November 28 or when the course is full. Back to top IAC HANDOUTS IAC updates patient handout "Pneumococcus: Questions and Answers" IAC recently revised Pneumococcus: Questions and Answers, a 4-page handout for patients and parents. Most notably, information about administering pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV13) to high-risk adults was added. Related Link 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. Back to top FEATURED RESOURCES Influenza vaccination is recommended for nearly everyone, so please vaccinate your patients Influenza vaccination is recommended for everyone age 6 months and older, so please continue to vaccinate your patients. If you don't provide influenza vaccination in your clinic, please recommend vaccination to your patients and refer them to the HealthMap Vaccine Finder to locate sites near their workplace or home that offer influenza vaccination services.
JOURNAL ARTICLES AND NEWSLETTERS MMWR prints errata to measles information published in "Final 2011 Reports of Nationally Notifiable Infectious Diseases" CDC published Errata: Vol. 61, No. 32 in the November 23 issue of MMWR (page 954). The information is reprinted below. In the Notice to Readers, "Final 2011 Reports of Nationally Notifiable Diseases," on page 631, in "Table 2. Reported cases of notifiable diseases, by geographic division and area—United States, 2011," in the United States row, under Measles, Total should read: "220" and Indigenous "140." In the Mountain row, under Measles, Total should read: "20" and Indigenous "13." In the Utah row, under Measles, Total should read: "13" and Indigenous "12." Back to top EDUCATION AND TRAINING Reminder: Families Fighting Flu offers November 29 webinar to teach moms and moms-to-be how to protect themselves and their children from influenza Families Fighting Flu is sponsoring a free webinar on November 29 from noon to 1 p.m. ET. The webinar is intended to teach how pregnant women, new moms, (including those who are breast-feeding), and young children can be protected against influenza. The presenter is Kevin Ault, MD, professor, Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics at Emory University School of Medicine. Advance registration is required. Back to top CONFERENCES AND MEETINGS ACIP meeting scheduled for Atlanta on February 20–21, 2013; registration deadline is February 4 The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) will hold its next meeting on February 20–21, 2013, at CDC's Clifton Road campus in Atlanta. To attend the meeting, ACIP attendees (participants and visitors) must register online by February 4. Registration is not required to watch the live webcast of the meeting. The ACIP web section will be updated with detailed information about the meeting, including live webcast instructions and the meeting agenda. Be sure to check back often. Back to top  |
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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