Issue Number
124
November 1, 1999
CONTENTS OF THIS ISSUE
- CDC publishes progress report on influenza and pneumococcal
vaccination rates among persons with diabetes mellitus
- CDC publishes report on public health response to a
potentially rabid bear cub
- CDC publishes article on polio eradication efforts in Myanmar
- Discount starts today! Order the 6th edition of the
"Pink Book" at a reduced price until December 31, 1999
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(1)
October 29,1999
CDC PUBLISHES PROGRESS REPORT ON INFLUENZA AND PNEUMOCOCCAL VACCINATION RATES AMONG PERSONS WITH
DIABETES MELLITUS
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) published an article titled "Influenza and Pneumococcal
Vaccination Rates Among Persons with Diabetes Mellitus -- United States, 1997" in the October 29, 1999, issue of the
MMWR.
According to this article's introductory paragraph, "A national health objective
for 2000 is to increase influenza and pneumococcal vaccination rates to greater than or equal
to 60% among persons at high risk for complications from influenza and pneumonia, including persons with diabetes."
This MMWR article reports on data from the 1997 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance
System (BRFSS) which indicates "most states did not reach the national health objectives
for influenza and pneumococcal vaccination in their populations with diabetes."
The "Editorial Note" states in part: "The findings indicate that many patients
and providers may not be aware of the ACIP (Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices) guidelines for
persons with diabetes. Increased efforts are necessary to heighten awareness of the need for increased
vaccination and to improve routine use of vaccination among persons of all
ages with diabetes. These efforts should include incorporating recommendations for influenza and pneumococcal vaccinations
into standard-of-care guidelines for persons with diabetes."
"...Among adults with diabetes, 52.1% reported receiving influenza vaccine during the previous 12 months, and 33.2%
reported ever receiving pneumococcal vaccine. Non-Hispanic whites were significantly more likely to
report receiving influenza and pneumococcal vaccines (56.6% and 38.8%,
respectively) than non-Hispanic blacks (48.1% and 24.9%, respectively) and Hispanics (41.0% and 20.9%, respectively)."
"...The findings that Hispanics and non-Hispanic blacks had lower vaccination
rates than non-Hispanic whites are consistent with the 1993 examination of vaccination rates
among persons with diabetes. These disparities may result from differences in access to vaccination services across
these groups, differences in the quality of care received by different racial/ethnic groups, or
social and cultural factors that impact vaccine acceptance. These disparities
must be investigated further to improve vaccination rates in these populations."
"...In 1998, to improve vaccination rates among persons with diabetes, CDC implemented the Diabetes Flu/Pneumococcal
Campaign entitled 'Diabetes. One Disease. Many Risks.' Through state-based diabetes-control programs,
the campaign encourages persons with diabetes to receive influenza and pneumococcal vaccinations... Because persons
with diabetes report a high rate of routine medical care, these interventions can have a large impact on
improving vaccination rates. Interventions that include standing orders for vaccination, using provider and patient recalls and
reminders, and feedback on vaccination levels have been shown to be effective in increasing
vaccination rates. In addition, opportunities for vaccination outside of traditional
health-care settings should be extended to persons with diabetes who routinely do not have access to traditional
health-care facilities. Additional information about the Diabetes Flu/Pneumococcal Campaign is available from
the World-Wide Web at http://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/projs/cdc-flu.htm
(link discontinued) and http://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/states/states.htm
."
To obtain the text version (HTML format) of this MMWR article which includes
a table of state-by-state immunization data, go to: http://www.cdc.gov/epo/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm4842a3.htm
For more information on the "racial/ethnic disparities initiative" organized by
CDC and other federal agencies which includes elimination of racial/ethnic health
disparities in vaccination rates by 2010, visit: http://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/projs/racial_init.htm
(link discontinued) and http://raceandhealth.hhs.gov/
To read the April 1999 ACIP statement on influenza (in HTML format), go to: http://www.cdc.gov/epo/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/00057028.htm
To obtain the April 1997 ACIP statement on pneumococcal (in HTML format), go to:
http://www.cdc.gov/epo/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/00047135.htm
For information on how to obtain a free electronic subscription to the MMWR,
see the instructions that follow article three below.
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(2)
October 29, 1999
CDC PUBLISHES REPORT ON PUBLIC HEALTH RESPONSE TO A POTENTIALLY RABID BEAR CUB
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) published an article titled "Public Health Response to
a Potentially Rabid Bear Cub -- Iowa, 1999" in the October 29, 1999, issue of the MMWR. The article begins:
"On August 27, 1999, a 5-6 month-old black bear cub in a petting zoo in Clermont, Iowa, died after developing
acute central nervous system signs; the initial direct fluorescent-antibody (DFA) test results available on
August 28 indicated the bear had rabies. On August 29, in response to the positive
laboratory report, the Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH) initiated a campaign
to identify and inform persons potentially exposed to the bear's saliva. Within 72 hours, IDPH staff verified
contact and exposure information for approximately 350 persons. Subsequent testing found no evidence of
rabies virus in brain or spinal cord tissues."
The "Editorial Note" includes the following information: "The false-positive test
result for rabies in a bear in Iowa affords an opportunity to review testing
procedures and protocols for rabies virus infection, the public health record in
the United States resulting from these procedures and protocols, and recommendations for handling
inconsistent test results."
To obtain the complete text version (HTML format) of this MMWR article, go to:
http://www.cdc.gov/epo/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm4842a5.htm
For information on how to obtain a free electronic subscription to the MMWR,
see the instructions that follow article three below.
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(3)
October 29, 1999
CDC PUBLISHES ARTICLE ON POLIO ERADICATION EFFORTS IN MYANMAR
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) published an article titled "Progress Toward Poliomyelitis
Eradication -- Myanmar, 1996-1999" in the October 29, 1999, issue of the MMWR. The "Editorial note" reads in part:
"In 1999, Myanmar, situated between countries with endemic polio (India and Bangladesh) and polio-free countries (China,
Laos, and Thailand), has confirmed four cases of polio based on isolation of wild poliovirus type 1. This
is the first evidence of ongoing transmission of wild poliovirus since 1996. All
AFP (acute flaccid paralysis) cases with wild poliovirus isolation occurred
in persons who resided in areas adjacent to the Bangladesh border, illustrating
the importance of border areas in polio eradication activities and the
continuing vulnerability of countries to a resurgence of polio unless eradication strategies are fully implemented and
sustained."
To obtain the full text version (HTML format) of this MMWR article, go to: http://www.cdc.gov/epo/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm4842a4.htm
HOW TO OBTAIN A FREE ELECTRONIC SUBSCRIPTION TO THE MMWR To obtain a free electronic subscription to the MMWR
(delivered weekly), visit CDC's MMWR website listed below. Select "Free MMWR Subscription" from
the menu at the left of the screen. Once you have submitted the required
information, weekly issues of the MMWR and all new ACIP statements (published as MMWR's "Recommendations and Reports")
will automatically arrive in your e-mail box. To go to the MMWR website, visit:
http://www2.cdc.gov/mmwr
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(4)
November 1, 1999
DISCOUNT STARTS TODAY! ORDER THE 6TH EDITION OF THE "PINK BOOK" AT A REDUCED PRICE UNTIL DECEMBER 31, 1999
The 6th edition of "Epidemiology and Prevention of Vaccine-Preventable Diseases" (also referred to as the "Pink Book")
from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) will be available in mid-March 2000. Cost of the
"Pink Book" is $25, but place an early order before December 31, 1999, and
pay only $20 per copy!
The Public Health Foundation (PHF) will begin taking pre-publication orders on November 1, 1999. CDC's definitive
written guide to vaccines and immunization information, the "Pink Book" is an easy-to-read, quick reference
for busy clinics and health care offices. The book is also used to support the
National Immunization Program's training courses on epidemiology and prevention of vaccine-preventable diseases
via satellite.
In addition to the discounted price described above, large-quantity orders of
250 copies or more will be further discounted by 25%. With the double discount, state and
local health agencies (and anyone else who wishes to order in bulk) can pre-order copies of the "Pink Book" for just
$15 per copy.
To order the "Pink Book," call PHF at (877) 252-1200 or (800) 41-TRAIN between 9:00 am - 5:00 pm ET. You can also
fax purchase orders and credit card orders to (301) 843-0159 or send an e-mail with payment information to:
phf@tasco1.com
Individuals calling from outside the United States should
call (301) 645-7773.
If you are not familiar with the "Pink Book," then check it out! The 5th edition
is not available online, but chapters from the 4th edition are easily accessible
at: http://www.cdc.gov/nip/publications/pink/default.htm |
