Issue Number 119            October 15, 1999

CONTENTS OF THIS ISSUE

1. ANNOUNCEMENT: Rotavirus vaccine is withdrawn from the market
2. New management position now available at the Immunization Action Coalition
3. Are you prepared for the next influenza pandemic?
4. CDC's "Immunization Update 1999" now available on video with free CE credit
5. "Communicating with Parents: Best Practices in Childhood Immunization" teleconference is offered through October 28th

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(1)
October 15, 1999
ANNOUNCEMENT: ROTAVIRUS VACCINE IS WITHDRAWN FROM THE MARKET

The following brief announcement was provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on October 15, 1999:

"Wyeth Lederle Vaccines announced this morning that it has withdrawn its RotaShield vaccine from the market and has requested the immediate return of all doses of the vaccine. The company's press release can be accessed at  the web address below."

http://www.ahp.com/releases/wa_101599.htm

According to Wyeth Lederle's press release, for more information physicians may call (877) 768-2543. Consumers may call CDC's National Immunization Information Hotline at (800) 232-2522 (in English) or (800) 232-0233 (in  Spanish).

CDC has previously published documents about rotavirus vaccine on the National Immunization Program website at:
http://www.cdc.gov/nip/issues/rota/

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(2)
October 15, 1999
NEW MANAGEMENT POSITION NOW AVAILABLE AT THE IMMUNIZATION ACTION COALITION

If you or anyone you know might be interested in the following employment opportunity, please contact the Immunization Action Coalition.

EMPLOYMENT ANNOUNCEMENT:
The Immunization Action Coalition (IAC) is an eight-year-old nonprofit 501(c)3 organization. Its mission is to increase immunization rates and prevent disease. 

IAC is a publisher of immunization education materials for health professionals and their patients. The Coalition's major publications include the following:

1. "NEEDLE TIPS and the Hepatitis B Coalition News" 
   (230,000 circulation semiannually)
2. "VACCINATE ADULTS!"
   (150,000 circulation semiannually)
3. IAC EXPRESS - an e-mail immunization news and announcement service
4. Website: http://www.immunize.org

IAC has experienced tremendous recent growth and is conducting a nationwide search for a person capable of planning and carrying out the internal operations of the coalition, working in close collaboration with the Executive Director.

The areas of responsibility for this new position include grant and report writing, fundraising, budgeting, marketing, finances, purchasing, and long-range planning. A background in accounting, nonprofit or small business  management, or fundraising is desired. Familiarity with Windows NT networks and Windows 95/98 business software would be valuable. Salary commensurate with experience.

The Coalition is located in the heart of Saint Paul, Minnesota, conveniently accessible to both the Minneapolis and St. Paul areas. The work environment is casual and friendly. The equipment and software are state-of-the-art and fully supported. 

If you or someone you know would like to explore this opportunity, first visit the Coalition's website at: http://www.immunize.org Then send a cover letter and resume to IAC via U.S. mail, fax, or e-mail.
        

The text of this employment opportunity also appears on IAC's website at: http://www.immunize.org/admin/jobopp2.htm
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(3)
October 15, 1999
ARE YOU PREPARED FOR THE NEXT INFLUENZA PANDEMIC?

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has produced a video entitled "Preparing for the Next Influenza Pandemic," as well as a draft document entitled "Pandemic Influenza: A Planning Guide for State and Local  Officials (Draft 2.1)." 

These materials are the result of efforts to help state and local health officials develop plans to lessen influenza morbidity and mortality during future epidemics. Experts from federal, state, and local agencies have collaborated to present guidelines for emergency response preparedness, many of which could also be adapted for other infectious disease crises. 

According to the introductory statement of the draft document, "Influenza viruses are unique in their ability to cause sudden, pervasive illness in all age  groups on a global scale. Three such "pandemics" have occurred this century, one of which -- the infamous "Spanish flu" of 1918 -- was responsible for more than 20 million deaths worldwide, primarily in young adults." Epidemiologists agree that the probability is high that another dangerous new strain of the influenza virus will emerge. Most jurisdictions do not have a plan in place to address the unique challenges that would rapidly  unfold with such a pandemic.

First aired on February 25, 1999, the video was a satellite broadcast from CDC's Public Health Training Network. The video features CDC medical epidemiologist William Atkinson, MD, MPH, and runs at a length of 2 hours, 27 minutes.

To obtain a text version (HTML format) of the draft document, go to the National Vaccine Program Office website at: http://www.cdc.gov/od/nvpo/pandemicflu.htm

Both the video and the draft document can be ordered from CDC by printing out the form found at: https://www2.cdc.gov/nchstp_od/PIWeb/niporderform.asp and then faxing it to (404) 639-8828, requesting the "Preparing for the Next Influenza Pandemic" video (#I-1954) and/or the document, "Pandemic Influenza: A Planning Guide for State and Local Officials (Draft 2.1)" (#99-5953). 
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(4)
October 15, 1999
CDC'S "IMMUNIZATION UPDATE 1999" NOW AVAILABLE ON VIDEO WITH FREE CE CREDIT

"Immunization Update 1999," the September 16, 1999, National Immunization Program satellite broadcast, is now available on videotape from the Public Health Foundation. This edited version of the live broadcast includes new recommendations on the use of polio and hepatitis A vaccines, as well as issues related to rotavirus, vaccine safety, thimerosal, hepatitis B vaccine, meningococcal and influenza vaccines, and strategies to improve vaccination coverage. 

The tape is approved for 2.0 hours of Category 1 Continuing Medical Education credit and 2.4 hours of Continuing Nursing Education credit from CDC. There is no charge for CE credit, and there is no limit to the number of people who may receive CE credit from the use of a single tape.

Video length is 1 hour, 45 minutes. Cost for the video is $15 plus shipping and handling. This and other CE-approved self-study material (including the annual 4-session "Epidemiology and Prevention of Vaccine-Preventable Diseases" satellite broadcast) may be ordered from the Public Health Foundation at (877) 252-1200, or online at: http://bookstore.phf.org/cat5.htm

Details about the program, and information about continuing education credit, may be obtained from the Public Health Training Network website at: http://www.cdc.gov/phtn/catalog.htm
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(5)
October 15, 1999
"COMMUNICATING WITH PARENTS: BEST PRACTICES IN CHILDHOOD IMMUNIZATION" TELECONFERENCE IS OFFERED THROUGH OCTOBER 28TH

Now is your chance to participate in a live teleconference (telephone conference) entitled "Communicating with Parents: Best Practices in Immunization." Offered at various dates and times from now until October 28, 1999, this teleconference provides information about changes made to the 1999 Recommended Childhood Immunization Schedule and ways to effectively communicate this information to parents.

Sponsored by Montefiore Medical Center's CME teleconference series, the teleconference is a 30-minute live forum presented by Sharon G. Humiston, MD, MPH, and William L. Atkinson, MD, MPH, medical epidemiologists at the National Immunization Program, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). A 15-minute interactive question-and-answer session will follow each teleconference. CME credit is available through Albert Einstein College of Medicine. CEU credit is offered though the New York State Nurses  Association Council on Continuing Education.

To obtain a schedule of teleconference dates and times, and/or to register, call (888) 375-9573 between 9:00am and 5:30pm ET. You can also view a schedule of teleconference dates and times on CDC's website at:  http://www.cdc.gov/phtn/calendar.htm