Issue 1381: August 22, 2018
TOP STORIES
IAC HANDOUTS
FEATURED RESOURCES
JOURNAL ARTICLES AND NEWSLETTERS
EDUCATION AND TRAINING
TOP STORIES
National Immunization Awareness Month is coming to a close; the final week will focus on protecting adults
Every year in August, National Immunization Awareness Month (NIAM) provides an opportunity to raise awareness of the importance of immunization and the need for improving national vaccination coverage levels. NIAM is co-sponsored by the National Public Health Information Coalition (NPHIC) and CDC. The theme for the upcoming week is "Vaccines are not just for kids."
The 2018 edition of the communications toolkit, put out by NPHIC in collaboration with CDC, contains key messages, vaccine information, sample news releases and articles, sample social media messages, links to web resources from CDC and other organizations, and logos, web banners, posters, and graphics to use with social media. The website also includes a place for you to share your NIAM activities and view what others are doing for NIAM, using the hashtag #NIAM18.
Previous weeks of NIAM focused on getting ready for back to school, pregnant women, and babies and young children. The final week, August 26–31, will focus on adult immunization.
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FDA announces approval of first generic version of EpiPen and EpiPen Jr auto-injectors for emergency treatment of allergic reactions
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued an August 16 news release announcing its approval of the first generic version of EpiPen and EpiPen Jr auto-injectors for the emergency treatment of allergic reactions. The opening paragraph of the news release is reprinted below.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration today approved the first generic version of EpiPen and EpiPen Jr. (epinephrine) auto-injector for the emergency treatment of allergic reactions, including those that are life-threatening (anaphylaxis), in adults and pediatric patients who weigh more than 33 pounds. Teva Pharmaceuticals USA gained approval to market its generic epinephrine auto-injector in 0.3 mg and 0.15 mg strengths.
Access the entire news release: FDA approves first generic version of EpiPen. (8/16/18)
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CDC publishes “Emergence of Localized Serogroup W Meningococcal Disease in the United States—Georgia, 2006–2016” in this week’s MMWR; authors advise vigilance regarding potential atypical clinical presentations of meningococcal disease
CDC published Emergence of Localized Serogroup W Meningococcal Disease in the United States—Georgia, 2006–2016 in the August 17 issue of MMWR (pages 894–7). A summary made available to the press is reprinted below.
Although the Unites States as a whole is not experiencing the expansion of invasive meningococcal disease serogroup W that has been seen globally, the importance of monitoring changes in serogroups is crucial as it could have implications for the clinical presentation observed and outcomes of patients with invasive meningococcal disease. Globally, an increase in invasive meningococcal disease serogroup W has caused severe morbidity and mortality; however the United States has not experienced this same trend. However, localized increases in the U.S. indicate that the strain circulating in Georgia may have diversified from the same ancestor as the strain circulating globally. Clinicians and public health officials should remain vigilant in obtaining isolates from all cases of meningococcal disease to monitor changes in circulating strains over time. They should also be aware of the potential for atypical clinical presentations that might not be indicative of meningococcal disease to prevent delays in treatment that could result in unnecessary morbidity and mortality.
View Emergence of Localized Serogroup W Meningococcal Disease in the United States—Georgia, 2006–2016 in PDF format. It is also available in HTML format.
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- MMWR main page provides access to MMWR Weekly, MMWR Recommendations and Reports, MMWR Surveillance Summaries, and MMWR Supplements
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CDC responds to numerous media reports by stating there has not been any multi-state measles outbreak in the U.S. this year
Following many media reports that the U.S. is experiencing a widespread measles outbreak, CDC responded by saying that this is incorrect. CDC published its response in CDC's Clinician Outreach and Communication Activity (COCA Now). The first paragraphs of the COCA Now bulletin are reprinted below.
From January 1 to July 14, 2018, CDC received reports of 107 people with measles in 21 states (Arkansas, California, Connecticut, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Louisiana, Maryland, Michigan, Missouri, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, and Washington) and the District of Colombia. This is not a current, multi-state measles outbreak, despite recent media outlet reporting.
CDC defines a confirmed measles outbreak as a chain of transmission including 3 or more cases linked in time and space.
CDC's response was also published elsewhere in the media. In a report published in Healio on August 17, CDC spokesperson Kristen Nordlund stated:
Earlier this week, a news station incorrectly reported that 21 states were involved in a 107-person measles outbreak. We believe this news organization misinterpreted the first paragraph of our Measles Cases and Outbreaks website, which has been standard language we have used for years. Since this article was published, several other outlets have published articles as well and that may be causing some confusion.
View the complete COCA Now Bulletin from CDC.
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IAC Spotlight: Reminder! IAC’s recently updated Adult Vaccination web page is full of resources to help you vaccinate adults this fall and beyond
Recently updated, IAC's Adult Vaccination web page on immunize.org is full of resources from IAC and its partner organizations to help you vaccinate adults this fall or any time! This web page is easy to find from anywhere on immunize.org. From the light gray banner across the top of every immunize.org web page, select the "Clinic Tools" tab (third from the left). Then select "Adult Vaccination" from the drop-down menu.
In the left-hand column of the page, you will find IAC's educational tools related to adult immunization, including handouts for healthcare professionals and for patients, standing orders templates, and a link to all IAC Adult Vaccination education materials.
In addition, in the right-hand column of the web page, you will find links to adult vaccination resources from IAC's partner organizations, including CDC, American College of Physicians, American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, American Academy of Family Physicians, National Adult and Influenza Immunization Summit, National Vaccine Program Office, and National Foundation for Infectious Diseases.
In both columns you will find prominent display boxes that link to IAC's 142-page book Vaccinating Adults: A Step-by-Step Guide.
Find all the resources and tools you need for adult immunization by visiting IAC's Adult Vaccination web page at www.immunize.org/adult-vaccination today!
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In a Medscape commentary, Dr. Paul Offit responds to recent New York Times article titled “Anti-Vaccine Activists Have Taken Vaccine Science Hostage”
In a Medscape commentary published on August 14, Dr. Paul Offit responded to an opinion piece published in the New York Times titled “Anti-Vaccine Activists Have Taken Vaccine Science Hostage." In this commentary, Dr. Offit rebuts the writer's claim that vaccine scientists are choosing censorship over transparency.
Read Dr. Offit's complete Medscape commentary: Vaccine Science Taken Hostage? Paul Offit Responds.
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Voices for Vaccines releases August series of new Vax Talk podcast mini-episodes on immunization for pregnant women and children younger than age two
Voices for Vaccines (VFV) has posted three new Vax Talk podcast mini-episodes in its Vax Talk podcast series for August, during National Immunization Awareness Month.
In Episode 20.1, "All the Pregnant Ladies," Heidi Murkoff, author of What to Expect When You're Expecting and founder of the What to Expect Foundation, shares her knowledge on how to reach pregnant women to encourage immunization.
In Episode 20.2, "Protecting Our Littles," Dr. Robert Jacobson, professor of pediatrics, Mayo Clinic, discusses how to respond to parents' questions about vaccines for children younger than age two.
In Episode 20.3, “Young Superheroes Protect Herd Immunity,” Ethan Posard, a 17-year-old author, filmmaker, and vaccine advocate, discusses teens, children, and 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 values vaccines to become a member. Please spread the word to your friends and colleagues to join VFV!
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Join NFID and the Washington Nationals for the 7th Annual Flu Awareness Night in Washington, DC, on September 21
Everyone is invited to join the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases (NFID) and the Washington Nationals for the 7th Annual Flu Awareness Night in Washington, DC on Friday, September 21. The Nationals will take on the New York Mets; $5 from each ticket sold will be donated to NFID to help support the prevention and treatment of infectious diseases, including influenza.
Access more information and/or purchase tickets.
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IAC HANDOUTS
IAC updates three of its Q&A series of patient handouts about diseases and vaccines on the topics of diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis
IAC recently updated three in its Q&A series of handouts for patients about diseases and vaccines:
The changes that were made to these three files reflect updated morbidity data and other minor edits.
Access all of IAC's "Questions and Answers" handouts for patients for 18 vaccine-preventable diseases.
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 updated Spanish translation of its very popular 4-page handout for patients: “Questions Frequently Asked about Hepatitis B”
IAC posted an updated Spanish translation of its very popular 4-page handout for patients: “Questions Frequently Asked about Hepatitis B.”
The Spanish-language and English-language versions appear below.
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IAC posts Spanish translation of "Protect Yourself Against Hepatitis A and Hepatitis B: A Guide for Gay and Bisexual Men"
IAC has recently posted a Spanish-language translation of its handout for patients titled "Protect Yourself Against Hepatitis A and Hepatitis B: A Guide for Gay and Bisexual Men."
The Spanish-language and English-language versions appear below.
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CDC posts teacher-created classroom educational activities for its free 60-page graphic novel titled “The Junior Disease Detectives: Operation Outbreak"
CDC has partnered with teachers participating in its Science Ambassador Fellowship to develop educational activities to accompany “The Junior Disease Detectives: Operation Outbreak," a graphic novel for use in middle and high school science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) classrooms. The activities highlight themes in the graphic novel to teach youth about public health science, epidemiology, biology, outbreak investigations and associated career skills. The graphic novel and its associated educational activities are part of a broader CDC initiative with the U.S. Department of Agriculture and other agricultural partners to raise awareness, knowledge and understanding of a One Health approach to zoonotic disease prevention and response. The activities below are available for free download and use, and additional classroom activities will be developed and posted to this site throughout the 2018–2019 school year.
Access the educational materials currently available on CDC's website:
- Educational Overview: This downloadable document describes the learning objectives associated with the graphic novel and also topics related to influenza (flu) epidemiology, flu biology, zoonotic diseases, variant flu, novel flu, and pandemic flu.
- Activity 1—The Operation Outbreak Team: In this activity, students learn the various roles and responsibilities of the professionals involved in an outbreak response.
The graphic novel “The Junior Disease Detectives: Operation Outbreak" is available for free downloading on CDC's website in three different versions: web version, home print version, or professional print version.
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Still available! IAC's sturdy laminated version of the 2018 U.S. adult immunization schedule—order a supply for your healthcare setting today! Child/teen schedules sold out.
IAC's laminated versions of the 2018 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 schedule is eight pages (i.e., four double-sided pages) and is folded to measure 8.5" x 11".
The child/teen immunization schedules are sold out. If you wish to order a quantity of 500 or more, you can email admininfo@immunize.org to request a quote.
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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IAC's 142-page book, Vaccinating Adults: A Step-by-Step Guide, describes how to implement adult vaccination services in your healthcare setting and provides a review for staff who already vaccinate adults; IAC Guide available for free download
In late 2017, the Immunization Action Coalition (IAC) announced the publication of its new book, Vaccinating Adults: A Step-by-Step Guide (Guide).
This completely updated guide on adult immunization (originally published in 2004) provides easy-to-use, practical information covering important “how-to” activities to help providers enhance their existing adult immunization services or introduce them into any clinical setting, including:
- setting up for vaccination services,
- storing and handling vaccines,
- deciding which people should receive which vaccines,
- administering vaccines,
- documenting vaccinations (including legal issues), and
- understanding financial considerations and billing information.
In addition, the Guide is filled with hundreds of web addresses and references to help providers stay up to date on the latest immunization information, both now and in the future.
The entire Guide is available to download/print free of charge at www.immunize.org/guide. The downloaded version is suitable for double-sided printing. Options are available online to download the entire book or selected chapters. The development of the Guide was supported by the National Vaccine Program Office (NVPO) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Expert staff from both agencies also provided early technical review of the content.
The Guide is a uniquely valuable resource to assist providers in increasing adult immunization rates. Be sure to get a copy today!
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JOURNAL ARTICLES AND NEWSLETTERS
Pediatrics publishes study showing no association between tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis (Tdap) vaccination of pregnant women and autism
Pediatrics has published a study showing no association between prenatal tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis (Tdap) vaccination and autism. The study, Prenatal Tetanus, Diphtheria, Acellular Pertussis Vaccination and Autism Spectrum Disorder, by T.A. Becerra-Culqui, et al., was published in its August issue. The "Conclusions" section of the abstract is reprinted below.
CONCLUSIONS
Prenatal Tdap vaccination was not associated with an increased ASD risk. We support recommendations to vaccinate pregnant women to protect infants, who are at highest risk of death after pertussis infection.
Read the entire article: Prenatal Tetanus, Diphtheria, Acellular Pertussis Vaccination and Autism Spectrum Disorder.
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Pediatrics publishes study finding that legislation for increasing HPV vaccination did not lead to increase in risky adolescent sexual behaviors in the U.S.
Pediatrics published a study finding that legislation for increasing HPV vaccination did not lead to an increase in risky adolescent sexual behaviors in the U.S. from 2001–2015. The study, Legislation to Increase Uptake of HPV Vaccination and Adolescent Sexual Behaviors by E.E. Cook, et al., was published in its August issue. The "Conclusions" section of the abstract is reprinted below.
CONCLUSIONS
Implementation of HPV legislation was not associated with changes in adolescent sexual behaviors in the United States. Concern that legislation will increase risky adolescent sexual behaviors should not be used when deciding to pass HPV legislation.
Read the entire article: Legislation to Increase Uptake of HPV Vaccination and Adolescent Sexual Behaviors.
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Vaccine Education Center at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia publishes August updates for its July/August issue of its newsletter Vaccine Update for Healthcare Professionals
The Vaccine Education Center (VEC) at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia has published a brief August update to the previously released July/August issue of its monthly immunization-focused newsletter titled Vaccine Update for Healthcare Professionals. The August update issue contains the following:
- Reminder that registration is open for Dr. Paul Offit's "Current Issues in Vaccines" webinar on September 5
- New ordering system is now live!
- Weekly swivel calendar is now available for order
View the complete August update issue.
Access the sign-up form to subscribe to Vaccine Update for Healthcare Professionals.
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EDUCATION AND TRAINING
Register now for AHEC webinar: “Evidence-Based Communication Strategies for Improving Child and Adolescent Vaccine Uptake” on September 19
AHEC is hosting a 1-hour webinar titled Evidence-Based Communication Strategies for Improving Child and Adolescent Vaccine Uptake on September 19 at 2:00 (ET) as part of the National AHEC Organization HPV Immunization Project. Amanda F. Dempsey, MD, PhD, MPH, University of Colorado, is the webinar's presenter.
Access additional information about the webinar.
Register for the webinar.
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Weekly CDC webinar series on "The Pink Book" chapter topics continues August 29 with "Measles, Mumps, Rubella"; register now for series running through September 26
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 weekly 1-hour webinars that started June 6 and will run through September 26. The webinar series provides an overview of vaccines and the diseases they prevent, general recommendations for vaccines, vaccination principles, and immunization strategies for providers.
The August 29 webinar will cover "Measles, Mumps, Rubella" and include a live Q&A session. Recordings of sessions will be available online within 2 weeks after each webinar. All sessions begin at 12:00 p.m. (ET). Free continuing education is available for healthcare personnel including physicians, nurses, nurse practitioners, pharmacists, physician’s assistants, and others.
Registration and more information is available on CDC's Pink Book Webinar Series web page.
All the sections of "The Pink Book" (i.e., chapters, appendices, 2017 supplement) are available to download at no charge at www.cdc.gov/vaccines/pubs/pinkbook/index.html.
You can also order this resource from the Public Health Foundation for $40 plus shipping and handling.
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