Issue 1114: April 15, 2014

TOP STORIES
IAC HANDOUTS
FEATURED RESOURCES
JOURNAL ARTICLES AND NEWSLETTERS
EDUCATION AND TRAINING
CONFERENCES AND MEETINGS

TOP STORIES
Reminder: March issues of Needle Tips and Vaccinate Adults available online

The March 2014 issues of Needle Tips and Vaccinate Adults are available online. Vaccinate Adults is an abbreviated version of Needle Tips with the pediatric content removed.

Click on the images below to download the entire March issues (PDF) of Needle Tips and/or Vaccinate Adults.
Download the November issue of Needle TipsDownload the November issue of Vaccinate Adults

Needle Tips Vaccinate Adults If you would like to receive immediate email notification whenever new issues of Needle Tips or Vaccinate Adults are released, visit IAC's subscribe page to sign up.

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FDA lowers age of licensure for Adacel vaccine administration from age 11 years to 10 years

On March 24, FDA lowered the age indication for Adacel (Sanofi Pasteur) Tdap vaccine from age 11 years to age 10 years.

Both Tdap products, Adacel and Boostrix (GSK), now have the same age indication, which should help healthcare providers, especially when some students are age 10 years when Tdap vaccine may be required for middle school enrollment.

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Reminder: National Infant Immunization Week is April 26–May 3

National Infant Immunization Week (NIIW), scheduled this year for April 26–May 3, is an annual observance to promote the benefits of immunizations and to improve the health of children age two years and younger. Since 1994, local and state health departments, national immunization partners, healthcare professionals, community leaders from across the United States, and CDC have worked together during NIIW to highlight the positive impact of vaccination on the lives of infants and children, and to call attention to immunization achievements. This year marks the 20th anniversary of NIIW!

NIIW will be celebrated as part of World Immunization Week (WIW), an initiative of the World Health Organization (WHO). During WIW, all six WHO regions, including more than 180 member states, territories, and areas, will simultaneously promote immunization, advance equity in the use of vaccines and universal access to vaccination services, and enable cooperation on cross-border immunization activities.

CDC provides many resources to help you celebrate NIIW and promote vaccination. Visit the NIIW web section for promotional materials and education resources.

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CDC publishes article on measles outbreaks associated with children adopted from China

CDC published Measles Outbreak Associated with Adopted Children from China—Missouri, Minnesota, and Washington, July 2013 in the April 11 issue of MMWR (pages 301–304). A summary made available to the press is reprinted below.

Although measles is a highly infectious disease that may lead to severe complications and even death, it can be prevented through routine vaccination. In this cluster, two adoptees from China were diagnosed with measles in July 2013, shortly after arriving in the United States. Contact investigations by state and local public health agencies led to the identification of two additional measles cases, involving a family member of an adoptee and another new adoptee from China. All of the adoptees were children aged 2-years-old with cerebral palsy who had not received vaccination against measles. By ensuring that international adoptees are up-to-date on their vaccines while still in their countries of origin, the spread of vaccine preventable disease like measles can be avoided. 

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IAC Spotlight! Seventeen 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 March 25, when IAC Express last reported on the Influenza Vaccination Honor Roll, 17 organizations have been enrolled.

Newly added healthcare organizations, medical practices, and health agencies
  • Columbus Community Hospital, Columbus, NE
  • Descanso Family Practice, Glendale, CA
  • Hometown Health Center, Schenectady, NY
  • Middlesex Hospital, Middletown, CT
  • St. Luke Community Hospital, Ronan, MT
  • Sanford Aberdeen Medical Center, Aberdeen, SD
  • Sanford Canby Medical Center, Canby, MN
  • Sanford Clear Lake Medical Center, Clear Lake, SD
  • Sanford Health of Northern Minnesota, Bemidji, MN
  • Sanford Jackson Medical Center, Jackson, MN
  • Sanford Luverne Medical Center, Luverne, MN
  • Sanford Tracy Medical Center, Tracy, MN
  • Sanford USD Medical Center, Sioux Falls, SD
  • Sanford Vermillion, Vermillion, SD
  • Sanford Westbrook Medical Center, Westbrook, MN
  • Shawnee Mission Health, Shawnee Mission, KS
  • Yakima Valley Memorial Hospital, Yakima, WA
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CDC offers new resources for Hepatitis Awareness Month and Hepatitis Testing Day

The month of May is designated as Hepatitis Awareness Month in the United States, and May 19th is designated Hepatitis Testing Day. During May, CDC and its public health partners work to shed light on this hidden epidemic by raising awareness of viral hepatitis and encouraging priority populations to get tested.

CDC is offering a variety of resources on its website to help in this endeavor, including digital tools (quiz widget and buttons, badges, and website banner), a Hepatitis Testing Day event page where organizations can register their events and members of the public can use their zip code to find a testing site, radio PSAs, an online hepatitis risk assessment, posters, and more resources. Visit CDC's Resources for Hepatitis Awareness Month and Hepatitis Testing Day web section to explore these new resources.

Access CDC's Viral Hepatitis web section

Related Links from IAC Back to top


Join the Voices for Vaccines' conference call featuring Dr. Stanley Plotkin discussing vaccine development

On April 23, Stanley Plotkin, MD, will be the featured speaker on a conference call sponsored by Voices for Vaccines. Dr. Plotkin will take participants through the journey of how researchers choose which vaccines to develop and answer questions about vaccine development and other immunization topics. Dr. Plotkin developed the rubella vaccine, and has worked extensively on the development and application of other vaccines including polio, rabies, varicella, rotavirus, and cytomegalovirus. Given Dr. Plotkin's extensive curriculum vitae and many honors and awards, this call is an opportunity not to be missed!

The call is scheduled for 12:00 p.m. (ET); 9:00 a.m. (PT). To register, email info@voicesforvaccines.org.

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


IAC HANDOUTS
IAC updates its guide to popular immunize.org destinations

IAC recently updated its quick links reference card that lists the shortened URLs (quick links) for some of its most popular web sections. For example, here are some of the easy-to-remember links listed: The reference tool is designed to provide a lot of information on a convenient two-sided card. IAC encourages readers to print this card double-sided and distribute it widely; for example, during site visits, in mailings, at conferences, etc. IAC often makes these cards available for immunization conferences. Email admininfo@immunize.org if you need a supply.

IAC's Handouts for Patients & Staff web section offers healthcare professionals and the public more than 300 FREE handouts (many available in translation), which we encourage website users to print out, copy, and distribute widely.

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IAC revises its two medical chart record forms: "Vaccine Administration Record for Children and Teens" and "Vaccine Administration Record for Adults"

IAC recently revised its healthcare professional resources, Vaccine Administration Record for Children and Teens and Vaccine Administration Record for Adults. These forms are for tracking patients' vaccination record in medical charts. Updates were made to take into account new ACIP recommendations and vaccine licensures regarding meningococcal, influenza, Hib, and pneumococcal vaccination. The forms include full instructions about how to fill them out. In addition, examples of forms already filled out are provided for your reference. These record forms receive several thousand downloads each month from IAC's website—if you aren't familiar with them, take a look! 

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FEATURED RESOURCES
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".
IAC's Laminated Child and Teen Immunization SchedulesIAC's Laminated Adult Immunization Schedules
Laminated 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
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 emailadmininfo@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.

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CDC issues response to report on antiviral effectiveness with influenza

On April 10, the Cochrane Collaboration published an updated review of randomized clinical trial data for the influenza neuraminidase inhibitor antiviral medications. The review is accompanied by a series of editorials and analyses posted on the British Medical Journal website. In the review, the authors raise questions about the value of influenza antiviral medications for the prevention and treatment of influenza.

Based on all available data, including both randomized control trials and observational studies, CDC continues to recommend the use of the neuraminidase inhibitor antiviral drugs (oral oseltamivir and inhaled zanamivir) as an important adjunct to influenza vaccination in the treatment of influenza.

CDC has published a “Have You Heard” article highlighting current influenza antiviral recommendations.

Please visit www.cdc.gov/flu/antivirals/index.htm for more information on influenza antiviral drugs.

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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: Back to top


JOURNAL ARTICLES AND NEWSLETTERS
New York Times publishes helpful article on understanding autism risk

On March 29, the New York Times published an article by Sam Wang titled How to Think About the Risk of Autism. The piece is intended to help people separate the real risks for developing autism from false rumors (such as blaming vaccines). Healthcare providers might find this a useful resource when talking to vaccine-hesitant parents.

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EDUCATION AND TRAINING
Archive of CDC's March 12 "Current Issues in Immunization NetConference" now available online

Broadcast on March 12, the latest Current Issues in Immunization NetConference has been archived. The conference focused on updates to the child, adolescent, and adult immunization recommendations and 2014 schedules.

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Archived slide sets from the February ACIP meeting now available

ACIP recently posted the archived slide sets presented at the ACIP meeting held on February 26–27.

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CONFERENCES AND MEETINGS
Sabin Vaccine Institute to sponsor 20th Anniversary Scientific Symposium on April 25

To celebrate twenty years of advocating greater access to vaccines for the world's poor, the Sabin Vaccine Institute will convene experts from around the world to examine key lessons from recent efforts to address pressing global health challenges and share insights on emerging immunization trends. The 2014 Albert B. Sabin 20th Anniversary Scientific Symposium will take place on April 25 in Washington, DC. The event is open to the public, and is expected to be especially interesting to public health professionals and students who are interested in immunization, international development, and the links between health and poverty.

Access the symposium agenda and registration information

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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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Editorial Information

  • Editor-in-Chief
    Kelly L. Moore, MD, MPH
  • Managing Editor
    John D. Grabenstein, RPh, PhD
  • Associate Editor
    Sharon G. Humiston, MD, MPH
  • Writer/Publication Coordinator
    Taryn Chapman, MS
    Courtnay Londo, MA
  • Style and Copy Editor
    Marian Deegan, JD
  • Web Edition Managers
    Arkady Shakhnovich
    Jermaine Royes
  • Contributing Writer
    Laurel H. Wood, MPA
  • Technical Reviewer
    Kayla Ohlde

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