| Issue 1111: March 25, 2014 TOP STORIES
FEATURED RESOURCES
JOURNAL ARTICLES AND NEWSLETTERS
TOP STORIES New! March issue of Needle Tips now available online The March issue of Needle Tips is now online.
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Newly available! IAC's sturdy laminated versions of the 2014 U.S. child/teen immunization schedule and the 2014 U.S. adult immunization schedule—order a supply for your healthcare setting today! IAC's laminated versions of the 2014 U.S. child/teen immunization schedule and the 2014 U.S. adult immunization schedule are covered with a tough, washable coating; they will stand up to a year's worth of use in every area of your healthcare setting where immunizations are given. The child and adolescent schedule has eight pages (i.e., four double-sided pages) and is folded to measure 8.5" x 11". The adult immunization schedule has six pages (i.e., three double-sided pages) and is folded to measure 8.5" x 11".
  PRICING 1–4 copies: $7.50 each 5–19 copies: $5.50 each 20–99 copies: $4.50 each 100–499 copies: $4.00 each 500–999 copies: $3.50 each For quotes on customizing or placing orders for 1,000 copies or more, call (651) 647-9009 or email admininfo@immunize.org. You can access specific information on both schedules, view images of both, order online, or download an order form at the Shop IAC: Laminated Schedules web page. Related Link Back to top Please share the "Dear Colleague" letter about the importance of making a strong recommendation for HPV vaccination In February, the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP), American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), American College of Physicians (ACP), CDC, and IAC released a "Dear Colleague" letter that encourages providers to promote HPV vaccination. Despite more than seven years of vaccine monitoring showing overwhelming evidence of HPV vaccine safety and effectiveness, HPV vaccination rates are not improving while rates for other adolescent vaccines are. Health provider recommendations are the key to increasing HPV vaccination rates. By improving the strength and consistency of HPV vaccination recommendations, more patients will be protected from HPV-associated cancers and disease. The letter gives providers key facts about HPV-associated disease and HPV vaccine safety and effectiveness to help them discuss HPV vaccination confidently with patients and parents. Please share this important document with all healthcare professionals who provide vaccines to adolescents and young adults. Sample messages for traditional and social media releases are provided below. Related Links
1. Sample text for newsletters and Facebook posts Joint "Dear Colleague" Letter on HPV Vaccination Issued Leading medical organizations—the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Academy of Family Physicians, the American College of Physicians, and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists—joined the Immunization Action Coalition and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in issuing a call this week that urges physicians across the United States to educate their patients about the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine and to strongly recommend HPV vaccination. The “Dear Colleague” letter [http://www.immunize.org/letter/recommend_hpv_vaccination.pdf] includes important data about HPV-related cancers and the latest information about the use, safety, and efficacy of HPV vaccines. 2. Sample tweets Joint "Dear Colleague" letter urges healthcare professionals to give a strong recommendation for #HPV vaccine: http://bit.ly/1olXT5G Medical societies join CDC and IAC in urging their members to strongly recommend #HPV vaccination for preteens: http://bit.ly/1olXT5G AAP, AAFP, ACOG, ACP, CDC, and IAC issue letter urging #doctors to strongly recommend #HPV vaccine: http://bit.ly/McQ6sk Related Links HPV Resources from IAC
HPV Resources from CDC
HPV resources from the Vaccine Education Center at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia
HPV resources from AAP
CDC releases update on meningococcal disease at Princeton and Drexel universities On March 18, CDC released CDC Statement: Meningococcal Disease Update. The first and last paragraphs are reprinted below. On Monday, March 10, a Drexel University student tragically died from serogroup B meningococcal disease. CDC’s laboratory analysis shows that the strain in Princeton University’s serogroup B meningococcal disease outbreak matches the strain in the Drexel University case by “genetic fingerprinting.” This information suggests that the outbreak strain may still be present in the Princeton University community and we need to be vigilant for additional cases. Students at both universities should be especially vigilant to the signs and symptoms of meningococcal disease and seek urgent treatment if suspected. Symptoms may include sudden onset of a high fever, headache, stiff neck, nausea, vomiting, rapid breathing, or a rash. Handwashing and covering coughs and sneezes are also good practices to follow. Access the complete CDC statement Related Links
IAC Spotlight! Five more healthcare organizations join IAC's Influenza Vaccination Honor Roll for mandatory healthcare worker vaccination 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 400 organizations are now enrolled. Since February 18, when IAC Express last reported on the Influenza Vaccination Honor Roll, five organizations have been enrolled. Newly added healthcare organizations, medical practices, and health agencies
You're invited to Voices for Vaccines' exciting fundraising event at the Mall of America on April 11 To celebrate its success and gear up for the future, Voices for Vaccines (VFV) is holding a fundraising event, Something to Talk About: VFV Benefit Party and Silent Auction, on April 11 at the Mall of America in Bloomington, MN. Local band Verge will provide live entertainment and some luminaries in the world of vaccines are expected to join the fun. Doors will open at 6:00 p.m. (CT); appetizers will be served and a cash bar will be available. Even if you are unable to attend the event, you can participate by sponsoring the event or buying some tickets! See www.voicesforvaccines.org/event for more information. Proceeds will support VFV's groundbreaking work to counter the vaccine misinformation that is putting children at risk of contracting preventable diseases. If you can't make the event but still want to help the cause, you can donate to Voices for Vaccines. Voices for Vaccines is a national organization of parents and others who are dedicated to raising the level of the voices of immunization supporters. VFV invites everyone who appreciates vaccines to join their organization. Please spread the word to your friends and colleagues! Back to top Reminder: Register now for the National Conference on Immunization and Health Coalitions The 11th National Conference on Immunization and Health Coalitions will be held in Seattle on May 21–23. This conference is a unique opportunity to network with colleagues and learn up-to-date immunization and coalition-building skills. Attendees will have the opportunity to:
FEATURED RESOURCES CDC's Standards for Adult Immunization Practice web section offers overview of standards and useful resources The National Vaccine Advisory Committee’s (NVAC) Standards for Adult Immunization Practice was published in the March/April 2014 issue of Public Health Reports. CDC has developed a new web section, Standards for Adult Immunization Practice, which provides a useful overview of how ALL healthcare professionals—whether they provide vaccinations or not—can take steps to help ensure that their adult patients are fully immunized. The new CDC web section provides links to a number of new resources for healthcare professionals who provide services to adults. Here are some of the available fact sheets:
Influenza season is not over—please keep vaccinating your patients! Vaccination remains the single most effective means of preventing influenza, and is recommended for everyone age six months and older. Since the onset, duration, and severity of influenza season is unpredictable, and different types and strains of influenza circulate throughout the season, ACIP recommends that providers continue to provide influenza vaccination into the spring months, as long as they have vaccine in the refrigerator and unvaccinated patients in their office. 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:
JOURNAL ARTICLES AND NEWSLETTERS CDC publishes article on WHO's new global polio vaccination recommendations CDC published Update on Vaccine-Derived Polioviruses—Worldwide, July 2012–December 2013 in the March 21 issue of MMWR (pages 242–248). The beginning of the first paragraph is reprinted below. In 1988, the World Health Assembly resolved to eradicate poliomyelitis worldwide. One of the main tools used in polio eradication efforts has been live, attenuated oral poliovirus vaccine (OPV), an inexpensive vaccine easily administered by trained volunteers. OPV might require several doses to induce immunity, but then it provides long-term protection against paralytic disease through durable humoral immunity. Rare cases of vaccine-associated paralytic poliomyelitis can occur among immunologically normal OPV recipients, their contacts, and persons who are immunodeficient. In addition, vaccine-derived polioviruses (VDPVs) can emerge in areas with low OPV coverage to cause polio outbreaks and can replicate for years in persons who have primary, B-cell immunodeficiencies. This report updates previous surveillance summaries and describes VDPVs detected worldwide during July 2012–December 2013. Back to top CDC publishes report on a combined OPV/IPV vaccination campaign in Kenya CDC published Combined Use of Inactivated and Oral Poliovirus Vaccines in Refugee Camps and Surrounding Communities—Kenya, December 2013 in the March 21 issue of MMWR (pages 237–241). A summary made available to the press is reprinted below. Globally, only three countries have never interrupted circulation of wild poliovirus: Afghanistan, Nigeria, and Pakistan. The Global Polio Eradication Initiative conducts campaigns using oral polio vaccine (OPV) to increase population immunity. In certain settings, administering inactivated poliovirus vaccine (IPV) with OPV through mass campaigns could more quickly raise community protection and stop the spread of poliovirus. Kenya recently conducted the first-ever campaign providing OPV in combination with IPV. The experience proved that although these campaigns cost more, they are feasible and can reach more than 90 percent of at-risk children. Careful planning can help overcome the complexities of this kind of two-vaccine campaign. 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