| Issue 1085: October 29, 2013 TOP STORIES
IAC HANDOUTS
VACCINE INFORMATION STATEMENTS FEATURED RESOURCES
EDUCATION AND TRAINING
CONFERENCES AND MEETINGS TOP STORIES IAC Spotlight! Fifteen more healthcare organizations join IAC's Influenza Vaccination Honor Roll IAC urges qualifying healthcare organizations to apply for its Influenza Vaccination Honor Roll. The honor roll recognizes hospitals, medical practices, professional organizations, health departments, and government entities that have taken a stand for patient safety by implementing mandatory influenza vaccination policies for healthcare personnel. More than 300 organizations are now enrolled. Since October 15, when IAC Express last reported on the Influenza Vaccination Honor Roll, the following 15 organizations have been enrolled.
Related Links
Bulk quantities of laminated pocket guides for influenza and pneumococcal vaccines are available—free—from the National Adult and Influenza Immunization Summit and IAC To aid in efforts to vaccinate against two diseases—influenza and pneumococcal—the National Adult and Influenza Immunization Summit (NAIIS) and IAC invite you to place orders now for bulk quantities of the following pocket guides:
These laminated, 3.75" x 6.75", two-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 and pneumococcal vaccines needs these handy resources. Related Links
How to Order Place your order today using IAC's online order form. There is no cost for the pocket guides, shipping, or handling within the U.S. If you have questions, email admininfo@immunize.org. Back to top CDC publishes surveillance summary on influenza vaccination coverage from 2007 through 2012 in the U.S. CDC published a report titled Surveillance of Influenza Vaccination Coverage—United States, 2007–08 Through 2011–12 Influenza Seasons in an October 25 issue of MMWR. The results section of the abstract is reprinted below. Results: National influenza vaccination coverage among children aged 6 months–17 years increased from 31.1% during 2007–08 to 56.7% during the 2011–12 influenza season as measured by NHIS. Vaccination coverage among children aged 6 months–17 years varied by state as measured by NIS. Changes from season to season differed as measured by NIS and NHIS. According to IIS sentinel site data, full vaccination (having either one or two seasonal influenza vaccinations, as recommended by the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices for each influenza season, based on the child's influenza vaccination history) with up to two recommended doses for the 2011–12 season was 27.1% among children aged 6 months–8 years and was 44.3% for the youngest children (aged 6–23 months). Influenza vaccination coverage among adults aged ≥18 years increased from 33.0% during 2007–08 to 38.3% during the 2011–12 influenza season as measured by NHIS. Vaccination coverage by age group for the 2011–12 season as measured by BRFSS was <5 percentage points different from NHIS estimates, whereas NFS estimates were 6–8 percentage points higher than BRFSS estimates. Vaccination coverage among persons aged ≥18 years varied by state as measured by BRFSS. For adults aged ≥18 years, a doctor's office was the most common place for receipt of influenza vaccination (38.4%, BRFSS; 32.5%, NFS) followed by a pharmacy (20.1%, BRFSS; 19.7%, NFS). Overall, 66.9% of health-care personnel (HCP) reported having been vaccinated during the 2011–12 season, as measured by an Internet panel survey of HCP, compared with 62.4%, as estimated through NHIS. Vaccination coverage among pregnant women was 47.0%, as measured by an Internet panel survey of women pregnant during the influenza season, and 43.0%, as measured by BRFSS during the 2011–12 influenza season. Overall, as measured by NFS, 86.8% of adults aged ≥18 years rated the influenza vaccine as very or somewhat effective, and 46.5% of adults aged ≥18 years believed their risk for getting sick with influenza if unvaccinated was high or somewhat high. Back to top CDC publishes report on influenza activity in the U.S. from May 19 through September 28 CDC published Update: Influenza Activity—United States and Worldwide, May 19–September 28, 2013 in the October 25 issue of MMWR (pages 838–842). A summary made available to the press is reprinted below. CDC recommends yearly influenza vaccination as the first and most important step in protecting against influenza viruses. Influenza vaccination is recommended for all persons aged ≥6 months. While vaccination is the best way to prevent influenza, treatment with influenza antiviral medications can reduce severe outcomes of influenza, especially when initiated early. Antiviral treatment is recommended as early as possible for any patient with confirmed or suspected influenza who is hospitalized with severe, complicated, or progressive illness; or is at higher risk for influenza complications. While influenza activity was low in United States from May 19 to September 28, 2013, some influenza viruses were detected. Although CDC cannot predict which influenza viruses will be most common, nor how severe the season will be, most of the influenza viruses collected over the summer in the United States and internationally were like those that the 2013–2014 influenza vaccine is formulated to protect against. Additionally, from June 18 to September 28, 2013, a total of 20 cases of “variant” influenza A viruses (H3N2v and H1N1v) were reported from five states in the United States (Influenza viruses that normally circulate in pigs are called “variant” viruses when they are found in people). Back to top Eleventh National Conference on Immunization and Health Coalitions scheduled for May 21–23 in Seattle; abstract deadline is December 6 The 11th National Conference on Immunization and Health Coalitions, "Partnering for Prevention from Sea to Summit," will take place in Seattle from May 21 through 23, 2014. This is a great opportunity for coalition leaders to learn from expert speakers and network with members of immunization coalitions from around the nation. The planners are accepting abstract submissions until December 6. Abstracts are welcome from representatives of all disciplines, including coalition staff and members, community-based providers, healthcare providers, social workers, researchers, government agency staff, health communication specialists, and others. Go to the Call for Abstracts page to learn more. Back to top IAC HANDOUTS IAC updates "First do no harm: Mandatory influenza vaccination policies for healthcare personnel help protect patients" IAC recently updated First do no harm: Mandatory influenza vaccination policies for healthcare personnel (HCP) help protect patients with new resources and updated links. The first page of this piece lists position statements of the leading medical organizations that endorse mandatory influenza vaccination policies for healthcare personnel. The second page features practical resources for healthcare institutions, including links to vaccination recommendations, tool kits, and useful print pieces like screening checklists, and sample standing orders. Access all of IAC's influenza educational materials for healthcare professionals and their patients. 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 IAC revises "Questions Frequently Asked about Hepatitis B" IAC recently revised Questions Frequently Asked about Hepatitis B with minor edits and updated statistics. This four-page handout is a comprehensive overview of hepatitis B infection and vaccination for the general public. Access all of IAC's educational materials for healthcare professionals and their patients about hepatitis B. Back to top VACCINE INFORMATION STATEMENTS IAC posts Spanish translation of the large-print VIS for inactivated influenza vaccine IAC recently posted a Spanish translation of the large-print VIS for inactivated influenza vaccine.
FEATURED RESOURCES CDC and Safe Injection Practices Coalition offer new infographic to help clinicians properly use single- and multiple-dose vaccine vials Recent outbreaks associated with reuse of single-dose vials and misuse of multiple-dose vials have resulted in patients suffering significant harm and even death. CDC and the Safe Injection Practices Coalition urge all healthcare professionals to use a new, dynamic infographic to learn the differences between single-dose and multiple-dose vials and to understand appropriate use of each. The infographic is an excellent resource for clinicians, office/risk managers, and patients. Learning how to properly identify the two vials will prevent infections and can save lives. View the infographic in two user-friendly formats, a web-based infographic or a printer-friendly PDF, and please share it with your colleagues. The Safe Injection Practices Coalition (SIPC) is a partnership of healthcare-related organizations that was formed to promote safe injection practices in all U.S. healthcare settings. The SIPC has developed the One & Only Campaign—a public health education and awareness campaign—aimed at both healthcare providers and patients to advance and promote safe injection practices. Back to top Influenza is serious; be sure to vaccinate everyone age 6 months and older! Vaccination remains the single most effective means of preventing influenza, and is recommended for everyone age 6 months and older. If you don't provide influenza vaccination in your clinic, please recommend vaccination to your patients and refer them to a clinic or pharmacy that provides vaccines or to the HealthMap Vaccine Finder to locate sites near their workplaces or homes that offer influenza vaccination services. Following is a list of resources related to influenza disease and vaccination for healthcare professionals and the public:
Help-4-Hep offers support and information for people with questions about hepatitis C Help-4-Hep is a nonprofit, toll-free helpline where callers can speak one-to-one with a peer counselor about hepatitis C. All help is provided free of charge, and includes support and practical information about testing, treatment options, and insurance and payment issues.
Back to top Limited-time offer: 50% off 2013 laminated immunization schedules (use coupon code IAC50) This special offer won’t last long! Use Coupon Code IAC50 when purchasing full-sized (6 pages, folded to 8.5" x 11”) laminated versions of either or both 2013 U.S. immunization schedules: child/teen and adult! Laminated 2013 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: Enter the Coupon Code IAC50 to get the sale price in the shopping cart. 1–4: $7.50 each—SALE $3.75 each 5–19: $5.50 each—SALE $2.75 each 20–99: $4.50 each—SALE $2.25 each 100–499: $4.00 each—SALE $2.00 each 500–999: $3.50 each—SALE $1.75 each  
Back to top EDUCATION AND TRAINING Vaccine Education Center plans November 13 Current Issues in Vaccines webinar The Vaccine Education Center (VEC) at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia will present a free one-hour webinar, beginning at noon (ET) on November 13. Part of its Current Issues in Vaccines series, the webinar will feature Paul Offit, MD, director of VEC. Dr. Offit will discuss the following topics:
Back to top The Joint Commission offers free course on rapid influenza testing in ambulatory settings The Joint Commission has announced the availability of an updated version of the Strategies for Improving Rapid Influenza Testing in Ambulatory Settings (SIRAS) continuing education course for physicians, physician assistants, and registered nurses. The four 30-minute courses provide a review of information pertinent to performing point-of-care testing in the ambulatory setting. The module is now available for iPads and tablets. SIRAS was developed under a cooperative agreement between the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Joint Commission. Access the registration form and additional information on course content. Back to top CONFERENCES AND MEETINGS Call for Abstracts deadline extended to November 15 for CDC's 2014 STD Prevention Conference Due to the recent U.S. government shutdown, organizers for CDC's 2014 STD Prevention Conference have extended the call for abstracts until Friday, November 15, 2013. The 2014 STD Prevention Conference, More STD Prevention for the Money: Maximizing Impact, Efficiency, and Return on Program Investments, will be held June 9–12, 2014, in Atlanta, GA. Access the Call for Abstracts web page. 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