| Issue 1087: November 12, 2013 TOP STORIES
IAC HANDOUTS
FEATURED RESOURCES
EDUCATION AND TRAINING CONFERENCES AND MEETINGS TOP STORIES IAC Spotlight! Thirteen 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 29, when IAC Express last reported on the Influenza Vaccination Honor Roll, 13 organizations have been enrolled.
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Today, November 12, is World Pneumonia Day! Pneumonia is one of the most solvable problems in global health and yet a child dies from the infection every 20 seconds. Today, November 12, is World Pneumonia Day—a great time to learn more about the problem and what you can do to help. CDC published Announcements: World Pneumonia Day—November 12, 2013 in the November 8 issue of MMWR (page 889). It is reprinted below. Every 20 seconds, somewhere in the world, a child dies from pneumonia. Many of these deaths are preventable through appropriate treatment and vaccination. With support from the GAVI Alliance, notable progress has been made in preventing pneumonia deaths and hospitalizations resulting from Streptococcus pneumoniae (pneumococcus) and Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) infections. In spring 2013, the World Health Organization and the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) released the Global Action Plan for Pneumonia and Diarrhoea, which promotes pneumococcal conjugate vaccine use as an important strategy for achieving United Nations Millennium Development Goal 4 to reduce child mortality. Hib conjugate vaccine also is becoming a part of global routine infant immunization, and recent data show its effectiveness at preventing pneumonia in developing countries. In spite of this progress, many gaps remain. Respiratory viruses, such as respiratory syncytial virus, influenza, and measles, also are major causes of pneumonia globally. Expanded use of influenza and measles vaccines, antiviral medications, and supportive health care can reduce the burden of pneumonia caused by these viruses. Additional research on diagnostics, prevention, and treatment of viral-associated pneumonia also is needed. World Pneumonia Day is being observed November 12, 2013, to raise awareness about pneumonia's toll and to promote interventions to protect against, treat, and prevent the disease globally. Activities are being promoted by a coalition of more than 140 community-based organizations, academic institutions, government agencies, and foundations. More information is available at http://worldpneumoniaday.org. Related Links
Immunization advocates develop universal symbol for immunization In the spring of 2013, immunization coalitions around the country voiced a desire for a universal symbol. Putting thought into action, a small group representing the coalitions worked together to identify several potential designs. The committee distributed the final design candidates to the immunization coalitions and one was voted the winner. The symbol, designed for all immunization organizations and advocates to use, is a way to show our solidarity in awareness of and support for immunization. Just as a pink ribbon is associated with breast cancer awareness, this image can be the recognized symbol of immunization. Organizations are encouraged to work together and use this symbol as a statement of broad support for immunization. The mark does not replace organizational or campaign logos, but is rather a symbol to collectively present a united front in support of immunization. The symbol is housed on Google Docs in several formats, and is available to all immunization advocates as a free download. There is also a Style Guide and Read Me Guide providing instructions to download and use the symbol. To access all, go to: https://drive.google.com/folderview?id=0B07MTd0yDhmyY05hTFFFRElITTg&usp=sharing On the Google drive link, you see two folders: (1) _MACOSX; and (2) immunize_final. In these two folders, you will find the Style Guides for use in both Mac and PC operating systems. If you have questions, please contact one of the following:
Intensive vaccination outreach planned after ten wild polio cases confirmed in the Syrian Arab Republic On October 29, WHO officials revealed that wild poliovirus type 1 was isolated from ten of 22 recently reported cases of acute flaccid paralysis in the Syrian Arab Republic. The country has endured years of political infighting, war, and the loss of its public health infrastructure. Given this situation, and the movement of people between countries in the region, the United Nations announced plans for a comprehensive outbreak response that includes repeated polio vaccination of 20 million children in the Syrian Arab Republic and neighboring countries. WHO's International Travel and Health recommends that all travelers to and from polio-infected areas be fully vaccinated against polio. Related Links
WHO reports on two new cases of avian influenza A(H7N9) virus infection in China On November 6, China's National Health and Family Planning Commission notified WHO of two new laboratory-confirmed cases of human infection with avian influenza A(H7N9) virus. WHO has been informed of a total of 139 laboratory-confirmed human cases with the virus, including 45 deaths. So far, there is no evidence of sustained human-to-human transmission. WHO does not currently recommend any travel or trade restrictions. Full WHO report Back to top IAC HANDOUTS IAC releases new handout for parents about HPV vaccination of preteens and teens IAC recently adapted a parent handout about HPV vaccination developed by the Michigan Department of Community Services to make it available to all U.S. healthcare providers. Human Papillomavirus: A Parent's Guide to Preteen and Teen HPV Vaccination is an excellent two-page resource that answers common questions parents have about the safety, effectiveness, and necessity of HPV vaccination for their preteen or teen. IAC thanks the Michigan Department of Community Services for giving permission to adapt and distribute this handout. Related Links
Back to top IAC updates "Personal belief exemptions for vaccination put people at risk. Examine the evidence for yourself." IAC recently updated Personal belief exemptions for vaccination put people at risk. Examine the evidence for yourself. This resource for parents reprints the summaries and key findings from scientific articles that illustrate the potential impact of vaccine refusal. IAC updated this resource with related studies published in the last three years. Related Links
Spanish translation of "Vaccinations for Preteens and Teens, Age 11–19 Years" corrected Last week's IAC Express included information about the availability of Spanish translations of the updated "Vaccinations for Infants and Children, Age 0–10 Years" as well as "Vaccinations for Preteens and Teens, Age 11–19 Years." Unfortunately, the Spanish translation of "Vaccinations for Preteens and Teens, Age 11–19 Years" was based on an older English version and doesn't include the recommendation to provide Tdap during every pregnancy. Please discard any copies of the incorrect Spanish translation of "Vaccinations for Preteens and Teens, Age 11–19 Years" you may have already printed and use this corrected Spanish translation (dated 10/13) instead. IAC apologizes for any inconvenience.
Back to top FEATURED RESOURCES Michigan Department of Community Health releases toolkit of resources to increase influenza vaccination of young adults The Michigan Department of Community Health (MDCH) has developed a College and University Flu Vaccination Toolkit to assist college health centers, medical practices, health departments, pharmacists, and other immunization providers in promoting the importance of annual influenza vaccination to students. The toolkit includes strategies to increase rates, key messages, email templates, news release templates, social media messages, and websites, plus an impressive assortment of posters and flyers. Many of the materials in this toolkit are Michigan-specific, but could serve as a source of inspiration for other locales. If you are interested in adapting any of the resources for use in your area, contact Courtnay Londo, MA, Adolescent & Adult Immunization Coordinator at MDCH by email at LondoC1@michigan.gov or by phone at 517-335-9948. MDCH College and University Flu Vaccination Toolkit web page Back to top Influenza is serious; vaccination is recommended for nearly everyone, so please keep vaccinating your patients 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:
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. Every 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 Supplies are low! IAC's full-sized laminated versions of the 2013 immunization schedules are 50% off (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 Reminder: 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 Wednesday, November 13. A part of VEC's 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 CONFERENCES AND MEETINGS Reminder: December 6 is abstract deadline for the 11th National Conference on Immunization and Health Coalitions The 11th National Conference on Immunization and Health Coalitions, "Partnering for Prevention from Sea to Summit," will take place in Seattle from May 21–23, 2014. 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  |
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
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