Reminder! CDC confirms that the influenza VISs will remain the same for the 2016–17 influenza season
CDC has confirmed that the influenza Vaccine Information Statements (VISs) will remain the same for the 2016–2017 influenza season. Healthcare providers do not need to wait for new publications of influenza VISs as they have in previous years. Current VISs can be found on CDC's website at www.cdc.gov/vaccines/hcp/vis/index.html as well as on IAC’s website at www.immunize.org/vis.
The content in the existing influenza VISs was designed to remain valid for multiple years. Even with changes to the 2016–2017 influenza recommendations (for example, regarding egg allergy or LAIV use), the current VISs are still accurate.
You can access all influenza VISs, including translations, from IAC's website at www.immunize.org/vis.
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Register now! On July 28, Dr. William Atkinson will present "Adolescent Immunization: Where We Are Now and How We Can Do Better" webinar
Since the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) made its first routine adolescent immunization recommendation for tetanus/acellular pertussis/diphtheria (Tdap) vaccine in 2005, several other important vaccines have been added to the ACIP’s recommended immunization schedule for adolescents. Now Tdap, meningococcal ACWY, meningococcal B (a “category B” recommendation, meaning it is recommended, but with individual clinical decision making), human papillomavirus (HPV), and influenza vaccines are all recommended for this age group. Although data from the 2014 National Immunization Survey–Teen (NIS-Teen) indicate vaccine coverage for adolescents is relatively high for the single recommended dose of Tdap, vaccines that require more than one dose to complete the series remain far below desired coverage levels.
To address this problem, William Atkinson, MD, MPH, IAC's associate director for immunization education, will present a one-hour webinar on adolescent immunization on July 28 at 12:00 p.m. (ET). During his presentation, Dr. Atkinson will review the recommendations for each adolescent vaccine, provide strategies to improve coverage rates in this population, and list available resources to assist immunization providers in their efforts to improve coverage rates.
Register for the webinar here.
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CDC and NPHIC release "11 Things You Can Do During National Immunization Awareness Month"
National Immunization Awareness Month (NIAM) takes place annually in August. NIAM is sponsored by the National Public Health Information Coalition (NPHIC). CDC and NPHIC recently released 11 Things You Can Do During National Immunization Awareness Month. There are additional print and digital resources available on the NIAM website.
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New York Times publishes article about immigration detention center’s failure to contain measles outbreak in Arizona
On July 12, the New York Times published Immigration Detention Center in Arizona Failed to Contain Measles Outbreak. The article highlights the failure of the facility to ensure staff is vaccinated against measles. The outbreak began in May. At this point, 22 cases have been confirmed.
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FDA extends the age indication for PCV13 (Prevnar 13) to include adults age 18 through 49 years
On July 11, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved an expanded age indication for PCV13 (Prevnar, Pfizer). Prevnar 13 is now also licensed for use in adults age 18 through 49 years.
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IAC Spotlight! Calendar of Events highlights conferences, workshops, and other immunization-related events around the nation
IAC maintains a Calendar of Events on its website for healthcare professionals at www.immunize.org/calendar. This is an easy way to find out about upcoming conferences and workshops in your area, or online webinars and other electronic continuing educational opportunities. The calendar also includes special weeks of observance.
If you have an immunization-related event that you would like your colleagues to know about via this Calendar of Events, email IAC.
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World Hepatitis Day is July 28!
Every year on July 28th, World Hepatitis Day aims to increase the awareness and understanding of viral hepatitis as a major global health threat. All types of viral hepatitis can cause inflammation of the liver; however, hepatitis B and C infection can result in a lifelong, chronic infection.
The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that nearly 400 million people have chronic viral hepatitis worldwide and most of them do not know they are infected. More than one million people die each year from causes related to viral hepatitis, such as cirrhosis and liver cancer.
The date of July 28 was chosen for World Hepatitis Day in honor of the birthday of Nobel Laureate Professor Baruch Samuel Blumberg, who discovered the hepatitis B virus.
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IAC HANDOUTS
IAC posts updated “Medical Management of Vaccine Reactions in Children and Teens” and “Medical Management of Vaccine Reactions in Adult Patients”
Recently, IAC released updated versions of two resources for medical practices:
Minor changes were made to the text in both documents.
IAC's Handouts for Patients & Staff web section offers healthcare professionals and the public more than 250 FREE English-language handouts (many also available in translation), which we encourage website users to print out, copy, and distribute widely.
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IAC posts “Standing Orders for Administering Varicella Vaccine to Children and Teens” and “Standing Orders for Administering Varicella Vaccine to Adults”
IAC recently updated and redesigned its standing orders templates for administering varicella vaccine:
These documents cover the purpose and procedures for administering varicella vaccine under standing orders protocol.
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WORLD NEWS
WHO reports on June meeting of the Global Advisory Committee on Vaccine Safety
WHO's Weekly Epidemiological Record published Global Advisory Committee on Vaccine Safety, 15–16 June 2016 in the July 15 edition of the publication. The opening paragraph is reprinted below.
The Global Advisory Committee on Vaccine Safety (GACVS), an independent expert clinical and scientific advisory body, provides WHO with scientifically rigorous advice on vaccine safety issues of potential global importance. GACVS held its 34th meeting in Geneva, Switzerland, on 15–16 June 2016. The Committee examined 3 generic issues: (i) a new initiative to promote health product vigilance in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs); (ii) the harmonization of the definition of health events for pharmacovigilance studies in pregnancy and early childhood; and (iii) a proof-of-concept study to assess rare events through multicountry collaboration. The Committee also reviewed vaccine-specific safety issues on routine infant vaccination in India and initial post-licensure data related to dengue vaccine.
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Download Dr. Gary Marshall's The Vaccine Handbook: A Practical Guide for Clinicians (“The Purple Book") as a new app for iOS devices or purchase as a print book
The Vaccine Handbook: A Practical Guide for Clinicians (“The Purple Book,” 2015) is a comprehensive source of practical, up-to-date information for vaccine providers and educators. Its author, Gary S. Marshall, MD, has drawn together the latest vaccine science and guidance into a concise, user-friendly, practical resource for the private office, public health clinic, academic medical center, and hospital. This book is now available as a new app for iOS devices.
Information about the iOS app version of The Vaccine Handbook: A Practical Guide for Clinicians
The Vaccine Handbook App contains the 5th edition of the book, updated with the latest immunization schedules and recommendations. The app enhances the utility of an already valuable print resource by including functions like keyword search, internal links, bookmarking, quick access to schedules and tables, hyperlinks to external sources, and the ability for real-time updates. A resources section provides ready access to authoritative immunization-related websites. Available through a collaboration between the publisher and Sanofi Pasteur, registration as well as reporting under Open Payments is required. (Offer void in Minnesota.) Click on the image below to visit the relevant App Store page to download this resource today.
Information about the print version of The Vaccine Handbook: A Practical Guide for Clinicians
The fifth edition of this valuable guide (560 pages) is available on IAC's website at
www.immunize.org/vaccine-handbook. The price of the handbook is $29.95 each, plus shipping charges. Discount pricing is available for more than 10 copies. Order copies for your staff or for distribution at an upcoming conference.
Quantity Discount Pricing
- 1–10 books: no discount + shipping
- 11–50 books: 5% + shipping
- 51–100 books: 10% + shipping
- 101–500 books: 15% + shipping
- 501–1000 books: 20% + shipping
For quotes on larger quantities, email admininfo@immunize.org.
Order your copy today! Click on the image below to visit the "Shop IAC: The Vaccine Handbook" web page.
About the Author
Gary Marshall, MD, is professor of pediatrics at the University of Louisville School of Medicine in Kentucky, where he serves as chief of the division of pediatric infectious diseases and director of the Pediatric Clinical Trials Unit. In addition to being a busy clinician, he is nationally known for his work in the areas of vaccine research, advocacy, and education.
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Still available! IAC's sturdy laminated versions of the 2016 U.S. child/teen immunization schedule and the 2016 U.S. adult immunization schedule—order a supply for your healthcare setting today!
IAC's laminated versions of the 2016 U.S. child/teen immunization schedule and the 2016 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. Both schedules are eight pages (i.e., four double-sided pages) and are folded to measure 8.5" x 11".
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 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.
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JOURNAL ARTICLES AND NEWSLETTERS
MMWR reports on a case of meningococcal disease in an international traveler
CDC published Notes from the Field: Meningococcal Disease in an International Traveler on Eculizumab Therapy—United States, 2015 in the July 15 issue of MMWR (pages 696–697). A selection is reprinted below.
On June 2, 2015, CDC was notified that a male airline passenger, aged 41 years, with a fever of 105.4°F, headache, nausea, photophobia, diarrhea, and vomiting, which began approximately 3 hours after departure, was arriving to San Francisco, California, on a flight from Frankfurt, Germany. His symptoms reportedly started with neck stiffness 1 day earlier. Upon arrival, the patient was immediately transported to a local hospital, where he was in septic shock, which was followed by multisystem organ failure. Cerebrospinal fluid, obtained approximately 12 hours after initiation of treatment, was Gram stain- and culture-negative. Blood cultures, which were drawn before antibiotic treatment, were positive for Neisseria meningitides of indeterminate serogroup. A review of the patient’s medical records revealed a history of paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria and current biweekly eculizumab (Soliris) therapy.
When meningococcal disease is suspected in an air traveler, close coordination with federal, state, local, and private sector partners is critical to obtain contact information for persons with potential exposure to the patient to ensure their rapid postexposure prophylaxis and, thus, prevent additional cases. This case also highlights the importance of heightened clinical suspicion for meningococcal disease in patients on eculizumab therapy, regardless of vaccination history.
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EDUCATION AND TRAINING
Weekly CDC webinar series on "The Pink Book" chapter topics continues through September 21; register now
CDC is presenting a 15-part webinar series to provide a chapter-by-chapter overview of the 13th edition of Epidemiology and Prevention of Vaccine-Preventable Diseases (also known as "The Pink Book"). This is a live series of one-hour webinars that started June 1. Recordings of sessions will be available online after each webinar. All sessions begin at 12:00 p.m. (ET). Information about receiving continuing education credit will be available for each session after it is archived. CE credit may be available for up to a year after the date it was live.
Registration and more information is available on CDC's Pink Book Webinar Series web page.
Download Epidemiology and Prevention of Vaccine-Preventable Diseases
Order Epidemiology and Prevention of Vaccine-Preventable Diseases
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CONFERENCES AND MEETINGS
Immunize Georgia Conference to be held September 9
The Immunize Georgia Conference will be held September 9, in Peachtree City. The agenda for this year's conference is available on Immunize Georgia's website.
Register for the conference here.
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Register now! Hawaii Immunization Coalition to offer CDC's “Pink Book” course January 10–11, 2017
The Hawaii Immunization Coalition (HIC) will be offering a two-day, in-person course covering Epidemiology and Prevention of Vaccine-Preventable Diseases ("The Pink Book") with CDC faculty reviewing immunization principles, as well as vaccine-preventable diseases and the recommended vaccines to prevent them.
Registration is available on HIC's website.
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ASK THE EXPERTS
Question of the Week
In a mumps outbreak, should we offer a third dose of MMR to persons who have two prior documented doses of MMR?
You should consult with the local health department about the necessity for a third dose of mumps-containing vaccine in this circumstance. Currently, data are insufficient to recommend for or against the routine use of a third dose of MMR vaccine for mumps outbreak control. CDC has issued guidance for considerations for use of a third dose in specifically identified target populations along with criteria for public health departments to consider in decision making. This information can be found at www.cdc.gov/vaccines/pubs/surv-manual/chpt09-mumps.html.
About IAC's Question of the Week
Each week, IAC Express highlights a new, topical, or important-to-reiterate Q&A. This feature is a cooperative venture between IAC and CDC. William L. Atkinson, MD, MPH, IAC's associate director for immunization education, chooses a new Q&A to feature every week from a set of Q&As prepared by experts at CDC’s National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases.
We hope you enjoy this new feature and find it helpful when dealing with difficult real-life scenarios in your vaccination practice. Please encourage your healthcare professional colleagues to sign up to receive IAC Express at www.immunize.org/subscribe.
If you have a question for the CDC immunization experts, you can email them directly at nipinfo@cdc.gov. There is no charge for this service.
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