Issue 1395: November 21, 2018
TOP STORIES
VACCINE INFORMATION STATEMENTS
OFFICIAL RELEASES AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
WORLD NEWS
FEATURED RESOURCES
JOURNAL ARTICLES AND NEWSLETTERS
EDUCATION AND TRAINING
CONFERENCES AND MEETINGS
TOP STORIES
National Influenza Vaccination Week will be observed December 2–8; use this week to remind your patients they need to be protected from flu
National Influenza Vaccination Week (NIVW) is an awareness week focused on highlighting the importance of influenza vaccination. NIVW will be observed this year on December 2–8. This is a great time to vaccinate your patients who have not yet been protected against flu and to remind your patients who have not been vaccinated to be sure they get protected.
As a reminder, vaccination efforts should continue through the holiday season and beyond. Peak influenza activity does not generally occur until February. Providers are encouraged to continue vaccinating patients throughout the influenza season, including into the spring months (e.g., through May), as long as they have unvaccinated patients in their office.
Click on the graphic below to access many related resources from CDC, including web tools, a NIVW toolkit, videos, communication hints, matte articles to submit to newspapers, animated graphics, and more.
CDC has stated in its Weekly U.S. Influenza Surveillance Report, FluView, that as of the week ending November 10, the geographic spread of influenza in three states was reported as regional; Guam and 10 states reported local activity; the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and 35 states reported sporadic activity; and two states reported no activity.
Two influenza-associated pediatric deaths have been reported for the 2018–19 season.
Influenza vaccination is recommended for everyone six months of age and older. 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
CDC publishes report on increase in acute flaccid myelitis in the U.S.
CDC published Increase in Acute Flaccid Myelitis—United States, 2018 as an MMWR Early Release on November 13. The same report was included in the regular weekly issue of MMWR on November 16. The beginning of the report is reprinted below.
In August 2018, CDC noted an increased number of reports of patients having symptoms clinically compatible with acute flaccid myelitis (AFM), a rare condition characterized by rapid onset of flaccid weakness in one or more limbs and spinal cord gray matter lesions, compared with August 2017. Since 2014, CDC has conducted surveillance for AFM using a standardized case definition. An Epi-X notice was issued on August 23, 2018, to increase clinician awareness and provide guidance for case reporting.
Patients who meet the clinical case criteria for AFM, defined as acute flaccid limb weakness, are classified using the Council of State and Territorial Epidemiologists case definitions of “confirmed” (magnetic resonance imaging [MRI] with spinal cord lesion largely restricted to gray matter and spanning ≥1 spinal segments), “probable” (cerebrospinal fluid [CSF] pleocytosis [>5 white blood cells per mm3]), or “not a case.”
Among 106 patients with acute flaccid limb weakness classified during January 1–November 2, 2018, 80 cases of AFM were classified as confirmed (from 25 states), 6 as probable, and 20 as noncases. This represents a threefold increase in confirmed cases compared with the same period in 2017....
Related Links
Back to top
Fourteen cases of measles confirmed in Ocean County, New Jersey
The New Jersey Department of Health is warning residents about 14 confirmed cases of measles in the state. The infected people could have exposed others to the virus in Ocean County between October 13 and November 9. These individuals developed symptoms after being exposed to a person who acquired measles while traveling internationally. The Ocean County Health Department has stated that more than 2,500 free doses of MMR vaccine have been given out during the past week.
For more information, including a list of locations where transmission of the virus may have been most likely, visit the New Jersey Department of Health's website: October–November 2018: Measles Outbreak in Ocean County.
Back to top
CDC publishes updated framework for the development of ACIP recommendations
CDC published Updated Framework for Development of Evidence-Based Recommendations by the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices in the November 16 issue of MMWR. A summary made available to the press is reprinted below.
This report summarizes an update to the ACIP process for developing evidence-based recommendations. The ACIP adopted the GRADE approach for developing evidence-based recommendations in 2010. GRADE methodology has continued to evolve since that time, particularly the use of Evidence to Decision or Recommendation (EtD or EtR) frameworks to support the process of moving from evidence to decision and provide transparency regarding the impact of additional factors on recommendation deliberations. ACIP has developed a modified EtR framework tailored to the needs of ACIP consistent with these advances in the GRADE approach, which was formally adopted at the February 2018 ACIP meeting. This standardized and more explicit process for developing ACIP recommendations is expected to enhance transparency, consistency, and communication.
Related Links
IAC Spotlight! AIM and IAC partner on new handout, "Communicating the Benefits of Seasonal Influenza Vaccine"
Recently released data from CDC indicate influenza vaccination rates during the 2017–2018 season remained well below optimal levels. Among adults aged ≥18 years, coverage was ~37%, more than 6 percentage points lower than coverage during the 2016–2017 season. For all adult age groups, flu vaccination coverage estimates in the 2017–2018 season were at their lowest levels compared with the seven prior flu seasons. Similarly, influenza vaccination coverage levels decreased slightly for children 6 months through 17 years, with ~58% receiving one or more flu vaccinations during the 2017–2018 season.
To assist healthcare professionals in their efforts to reverse these declining coverage rates, the Association of Immunization Managers (AIM) and the Immunization Action Coalition (IAC) have partnered to develop a new tool, Communicating the Benefits of Seasonal Influenza Vaccine. This 1-page informational sheet details ways in which influenza vaccination can reduce the severity of influenza illness and prevent disability due to influenza infection. The document emphasizes the benefits of seasonal flu vaccination, including reducing hospitalization and death, reducing the severity of illness in hospitalized individuals, reducing the risks for major cardiac events; and reducing loss of independence in adults. This resource also highlights that vaccine protects pregnant women and their babies, with a 50% reduction of risk of flu-associated acute respiratory infection in pregnant women. In addition to providing data, the document lists practical communications tips for discussing vaccine effectiveness with patients.
Be sure to check out this helpful new tool for increasing influenza vaccine coverage in your healthcare setting. State and local immunization programs may receive a customizable version of the handout that may be adapted to incorporate the program’s logo. For additional information on this option, contact AIM’s Katelyn Wells at kwells@immunizationmanagers.org.
Related Links
Back to top
Every Child By Two announces new name to reflect its expanded mission
For 27 years, the nonprofit Every Child By Two has worked tirelessly to educate people about the importance of immunization. In recent years, the organization has expanded its focus to include people across the age span, and has officially now changed its name to Vaccinate Your Family: The Next Generation of Every Child By Two. The following paragraphs are from a November 14 organizational blog post:
In 1991, Former First Lady Rosalynn Carter and Former First Lady of Arkansas Betty Bumpers launched Every Child By Two to educate families, healthcare providers, policymakers and others about the importance of timely immunizations by age two. Since that time, our organization has helped to educate millions of families about vaccines and helped to create policies that keep children safe from vaccine-preventable diseases.
Fortunately, since the creation of the organization, science has advanced and vaccines have been developed to protect people of all ages. Therefore, in 2015, our Board of Directors voted to officially broaden our mission to include efforts to help ensure vaccinations across the lifespan.
Today, by changing our name to Vaccinate Your Family: The Next Generation of Every Child By Two, our organization is solidifying our commitment to our expanded mission of protecting people of all ages against vaccine-preventable diseases. We look forward to continuing our collaborative efforts with our longtime partners to promote the importance of timely vaccinations and pro-vaccine policies across the United States. We will continue to serve as a credible, science-based source of immunization news and information for the public, healthcare providers, policymakers, the media and our partners.
We invite you to visit our new Vaccinate Your Family website, which incorporates the essential information from our previous websites (www.vaccinateyourfamily.org, www.ecbt.org & www.vaccinateyourbaby.org). We are also excited to welcome you to visit our other social media pages including @Vaxyourfam on Twitter, and Vaccinate Your Family on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube. Each of these sites has been rebranded to reflect our organization’s new name and logo.
As our blog readers may note, we also have a newly designed Shot of Prevention blog site. The new design was developed to improve the user experience and encourage readers like you to spend more time on the site reading a variety of posts by making it easier to find more content of interest. The site features a newly customized theme that aligns with VYF’s new branding. As seen below, there are new content categories which align with those featured on Vaccinate Your Family’s website (pregnant women, babies/children, preteens/teens, and adults). In addition there are other categories of content that are more generally defined as news/outbreaks, science/research, expert insights, etc.
Check out the re-designed Vaccinate Your Family website.
Back to top
Vaccinate Your Family blog post discusses disruption at recent ACIP meeting by vaccine critics
Shot of Prevention is a blog sponsored by Vaccinate Your Family where individuals, parents, medical professionals, and others can discuss questions and current events regarding immunization. On November 9, Amy Pisani, MS, executive director, Vaccinate Your Family, wrote a blog post titled Vaccine Skeptics Lash Out at CDC Advisory Committee Meeting. This article describes the disruptive actions of vaccine critics at the October ACIP meeting in Atlanta.
She goes on to report that four days later, several of the same vaccine skeptics harassed Dr. Paul Offit as he discussed his new book, Bad Advice: Or Why Celebrities, Politicians, and Activists Aren’t Your Best Source of Health Information, at a National Press Club event in Washington DC.
One paragraph from the blog post is reprinted below.
Without a doubt, there is a need for public discourse on the issue of vaccines. However, members of the public and ACIP members who participate in federal meetings should not be targeted by attendees whose opinions and beliefs are not in alignment with ACIP’s recommendations. For these public comment periods to be fruitful and have a positive impact, the rules for public decorum (and the official rules for public comment) need to be followed and comments from the public should be focused on sharing personal experiences, not attacks.
Read the complete post: Vaccine Skeptics Lash Out at CDC Advisory Committee Meeting.
Related Links
Back to top
Institute for Safe Medication Practices publishes information about possible mix-up of rabies immune globulin dosage due to similar packaging of 1 mL and 5 mL vials
On August 23, the Institute for Safe Medication Practices (ISMP) published a Medication Safety Alert! article titled Rabies Immune Globulin Vial Sizes Look Similar. The complete article—excluding a figure of the two cartons—is reprinted below.
A Safety Brief in the June 28, 2018, ISMP Medication Safety Alert! noted a change in concentration for rabies immune globulin (human) (HYPERRAB) manufactured by Grifols. Since a higher concentration allows for more efficient wound infiltration (i.e., more of the immune globulin can be delivered to the affected area in less volume), the concentration was increased from 150 units per mL to 300 units per mL. When stocking, storing, and dispensing HyperRAB, it is important to recognize that the product is available in both 1 mL and 5 mL vials in cartons that are hard to tell apart (Figure 1). The only visual differences are the volume noted in the lower left corner of the carton and different NDC numbers. The vials themselves both have a 5 mL capacity although one contains 5 mL while the other contains only 1 mL.
According to the package insert, the 1 mL vial is sufficient for a child weighing 15 kg, while the 5 mL vial is sufficient for an adult weighing 75 kg. Both are single-use vials. While each vial contains 300 units per mL, confusing the vial sizes may lead to costly waste if a 5 mL vial is dispensed and used for a child. The situation could also result in inventory issues. For example, someone may visually scan their inventory, not notice the volume differences, and mistakenly believe enough product is on hand when there may be far less than needed to treat patients. To prevent this, one hospital is storing the two sizes apart from one another along with a note to double check the vial volume before using. Auxiliary labels to better differentiate the products and the use of barcode scanning during inventory and product selection are additional risk-reduction strategies. ISMP has also forwarded complaints to the manufacturer and the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
The Institute for Safe Medication Practices (ISMP) is the nation’s only 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization devoted entirely to medication error prevention and safe medication use.
Back to top
IAC enrolls one new birthing institution into its Hepatitis B Birth Dose Honor Roll; five previously honored institutions qualify for additional years' honors
The Immunization Action Coalition (IAC) is pleased to announce that one new institution has been accepted into its Hepatitis B Birth Dose Honor Roll. The birthing institution is listed below with its reported hepatitis B birth dose coverage rates in parentheses.
- Abraham Lincoln Memorial Hospital, Lincoln, IL (92%)
In addition, that same institution is also being recognized for a second year:
- Abraham Lincoln Memorial Hospital, Lincoln, IL (91%)
The following institution is being recognized for a third year:
- Fort Madison Community Hospital, Fort Madison, IA (98%)
The following three institutions are being recognized for a fourth year:
- Fort Madison Community Hospital, Fort Madison, IA (98%)
- Lowell General Hospital, Lowell, MA (93%)
- Terre Haute Regional Hospital, Terre Haute, IN (96%)
Finally, the following institution is being recognized for a sixth year:
- St. John's Riverside Hospital, Yonkers, NY (90%)
Note: Two of these institutions qualified for multiple 12-month periods at one time.
The Honor Roll now includes 423 birthing institutions from 40 states, Puerto Rico, Guam, and an overseas U.S. military base. One hundred and two institutions have qualified for two years, 45 institutions have qualified three times, 23 institutions have qualified four times, nine institutions have qualified five times, two institutions have qualified six times, and one institution has qualified seven times.
The Honor Roll is a key part of IAC’s major initiative urging the nation’s hospitals to Give birth to the end of Hep B. Hospitals and birthing centers are recognized for attaining high coverage rates for administering hepatitis B vaccine at birth and meeting specific additional criteria. The initiative urges qualifying healthcare organizations to apply for the Hepatitis B Birth Dose Honor Roll online.
To be included in the Hepatitis B Birth Dose Honor Roll, a birthing institution must have: (1) reported a coverage rate of 90 percent or greater, over a 12-month period, for administering hepatitis B vaccine before hospital discharge to all newborns, including those whose parents refuse vaccination, and (2) implemented specific written policies, procedures, and protocols to protect all newborns from hepatitis B virus infection prior to hospital discharge.
Honorees are also awarded an 8.5" x 11" color certificate suitable for framing and their acceptance is announced to IAC Express’s approximately 50,000 readers.
Please visit the Hepatitis B Birth Dose Honor Roll web page that lists these institutions and their exceptional efforts to protect infants from perinatal hepatitis B transmission.
Related Links
Back to top
VACCINE INFORMATION STATEMENTS
IAC posts 18 translations of the updated Hepatitis B VIS
IAC recently posted the following 18 translations of the updated Hepatitis B VIS, dated 10/12/18:
English-language version: Hepatitis B VIS
The Spanish-language rich text format (otherwise known as RTF) file for the updated Hepatitis B VIS is available by going to www.immunize.org/vis/vis_hepatitis_b.asp. This format can be used with electronic medical records system such as GE Centricity or Epic. English VISs in RTF can be downloaded from CDC's website (click on any VIS to access all available formats).
All these translations were provided by the Immunization Action Coalition, with the exception of the Turkish version. For that translation, IAC thanks Betül Polatdemir, MD, Lokman Hekim Hospital Group, Ankara, and Sibel Bostancıoğlu, MD, Ankara Occupational and Environmental Diseases Hospital, Ankara, Turkey
Related Links
Back to top
OFFICIAL RELEASES AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
NACCHO releases 2018 Forces of Change report
The National Association of City & County Health Officials (NACCHO) has released its 2018 Forces of Change report which highlights new findings on the forces that are affecting the nation’s local health departments (LHDs). Results show that although the economic situation is slowly improving for many LHDs, workforce capacity challenges persist. LHDs also faced with challenges associated with emerging public health threats, such as the use of opioids, increased severity of influenza seasons, and impacts of climate change.
Chapter 4 in the report specifically covers local influenza and preparedness response, including answers to survey questions about local influenza activities, partnerships, and outreach and communication activities.
Access the complete 2018 report on the NACCHO website: Forces of Change.
Also available in PDF format (65 pages).
Back to top
American Dermatological Association co-sponsors American Cancer Society's HPV vaccination policy
The American Dermatological Association has announced that it has co-sponsored the American Cancer Society's HPV vaccination policy. Part of a press release from Newswise is reprinted below.
The American Dermatological Association is pleased to announce its co-sponsorship of the American Cancer Society in its public policy of vaccination against HPV beginning at age 11 or 12 for girls and boys.
The American Dermatological Association also recognizes the expanded age range, between 27 and 45, recently approved by the FDA for male and female HPV vaccination with human papillomavirus 9-valent vaccine.
The American Dermatological Association emphasizes the importance of HPV vaccination at all appropriate ages as a means to reduce HPV-related diseases and recommends that patients consult their health care providers regarding HPV-related diseases.
Read the complete release: The American Dermatological Association Co-Sponsors American Cancer Society's HPV Vaccine Policy.
Back to top
WORLD NEWS
CDC and WHO report on global routine vaccination coverage in this week's MMWR and Weekly Epidemiological Record, respectively; continuing education credit available for reading MMWR article
CDC published Global Routine Vaccination Coverage—2017 in the November 16 issue of MMWR. On the same day, WHO's Weekly Epidemiological Record published a similar article titled Global routine vaccination coverage, 2017. A media summary of the MMWR article is reprinted below.
Substantial progress in global routine vaccination coverage has been made since the establishment of the World Health Organization (WHO) Expanded Program on Immunization (EPI) in 1974. In 2017, global coverage with the third dose of diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis-containing vaccine (DTP3) and the first dose of measles-containing vaccine (MCV1) was 85 percent, increasing from 79 percent in 2007. In 2017, 62 percent of children who did not receive DTP3 lived in 10 countries; trends in vaccination coverage (2007–2017) improved in 7 of these 10 countries. Improvements in national immunization program performance are necessary to reach and sustain high vaccination coverage and increase protection from vaccine-preventable disease for all children. To have the largest impact on vaccination coverage globally, it is key to prioritize countries with the highest number of unvaccinated children.
View the MMWR article in HTML format to access information about obtaining continuing education credit for reading it.
Related Links
Back to top
UNICEF delivers humanitarian aid, including vaccines, to 50,000 people in refugee camp in Syria
On November 8, UNICEF posted a press release titled United Nations humanitarian convoy to Rukban: UNICEF delivers lifesaving vaccines, medicines and nutritional supplies for 50,000 people. The first four paragraphs are reprinted below.
UNICEF, with United Nations partners and the Syrian Arab Red Crescent, concluded a six-day humanitarian aid convoy to Rukban camp in southeast Syria near the Jordanian border. This is the first convoy to the camp from within Syria, where nearly 50,000 people live, the majority of whom are women and children. The last aid delivery to the area was in January from Jordan.
UNICEF sent 21 trucks of humanitarian assistance as part of the convoy and supported 21 vaccinators with vaccines, cold chain equipment and medical supplies to immunize 10,000 children against measles, polio and other childhood diseases in the camp. This has been one of the most complex humanitarian operations in Syria with over 75 trucks and more than 100 humanitarian and logistics workers delivering aid to people in need in Syria south-eastern desert conditions.
“Children and women in Rukban have had extremely limited access to health services amid worsening conditions,” said Fran Equiza, UNICEF Representative in Syria. “UNICEF advocated extensively with all relevant parties to include vaccinators in the convoy to protect children against life-threatening diseases.”
“Most children under-five years old had never been vaccinated,” said Dr. Husam Eddine Baradee, UNICEF’s Health & Nutrition Officer who accompanied the convoy. “Despite the challenges we were able to vaccinate 5,100 children in the few days we had access to the camp, yet we absolutely need sustained access as thousands more children still need to be immunised.”
Back to top
WHO reports on progress toward polio eradication in Pakistan
The World Health Organization (WHO) published Progress towards poliomyelitis eradication—Pakistan, January 2017–September 2018 in the November 16 issue of its Weekly Epidemiological Record. The first six sentences are reprinted below.
Of the 3 wild poliovirus (WPV) serotypes, only type 1 (WPV1) has been detected globally since 2012. Pakistan remains 1 of only 3 countries worldwide (in addition to Afghanistan and Nigeria) that has never interrupted WPV1 transmission. This report documents Pakistan’s activities and progress towards polio eradication during January 2017–September 2018 and updates previous reports. In 2017, Pakistan reported 8 cases due to WPV1, a 60% decrease from 20 cases in 2016. As of 18 September, 4 cases have been reported, as compared with 5 cases at this time in 2017. Nonetheless, in 2018, WPV1 continues to be isolated regularly from environmental samples, primarily in the core reservoir areas of Karachi, Quetta and Peshawar, indicating persistent transmission....
Related Links
Back to top
Reminder: New 65+ Flu Defense website features information and resources for healthcare professionals serving adults age 65 and older
Last month, IAC and Seqirus launched the new 65+ Flu Defense website at www.influenza-defense.org to help with vaccinating adults 65 years of age and older.
The website equips healthcare professionals with information, tools, and resources needed to proactively discuss flu vaccination with patients age 65 and older and to better communicate the impact of flu and its complications in older adults.
Annual influenza vaccination is the best way to prevent influenza, but vaccination coverage among older adults in the U.S. has stagnated, and in some years has declined significantly over the previous season’s rate. In the 2016–2017 season, only 65.3% of adults age 65 and older were vaccinated against influenza.
Seniors are at greater risk of severe complications from influenza, due both to their increased likelihood of having chronic conditions and to the decline of their immune systems as they age.
As a healthcare professional, your strong, confident recommendation for flu vaccine is a very powerful and persuasive tool in determining if your patients are vaccinated.
65+ Flu Defense is divided into several easy-to-use topic areas, including:
Two new patient handouts are also available on the website:
 
Be sure to check out the information and printable materials for your patients available on the 65+ Flu Defense website at www.influenza-defense.org and boost your efforts aimed at protecting this vulnerable population.
Back to top
AAP's "A Guide to Adolescent Immunizations: Flip Chart for Pediatric Offices and Parents" now available in Simplified Chinese and Spanish, as well as English
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) is proud to announce its “A Guide to Adolescent Immunizations: Flip Chart for Pediatric Offices and Parents” resource is now available in three languages: English, Spanish, and Simplified Chinese. This resource is aimed at helping pediatric healthcare providers discuss adolescent immunizations with their patients and families by providing information and answers to parents' questions about adolescent vaccines in easy-to-understand infographics with corresponding talking points for healthcare providers.
The electronic versions of the flipchart are available by request through AAP. Click here to learn more. Physical copies are available in limited quantities, on a first-come, first-served basis, while supplies last. To request a physical copy, please click here to access the online request form.
Contact hpv@aap.org if you have any questions.
Back to top
New book, The Clinician’s Vaccine Safety Resource Guide, available for purchase
A new book for healthcare professionals who provide immunization services, The Clinician’s Vaccine Safety Resource Guide: Optimizing Prevention of Vaccine-Preventable Diseases Across the Lifespan, has recently been published. The book is authored by Matthew Z. Dudley, PhD (candidate), MSPH; Daniel A. Salmon, PhD, MPH; Neal A. Halsey, MD; Walter A. Orenstein, MD, DSc (Hon); Rupali J. Limaye, PhD, MPH, MA; Sean T. O’Leary, MD, MPH; and Saad B. Omer, MBBS, PhD, MPH.
A description from the publisher is reprinted below.
This book provides clinicians and their staff with essential information on the vaccines that are recommended and not recommended for their patients, the diseases these vaccines prevent, and a broad range of potential vaccine safety issues that may be brought up by their patients.
More information about the book, and its authors, and purchasing details can be found on the publisher's website. Order there or from your favorite bookseller.
Back to top
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!
Related Links
Back to top
JOURNAL ARTICLES AND NEWSLETTERS
October issue of CDC's Immunization Works newsletter now available
CDC recently released the October issue of its monthly newsletter Immunization Works. The newsletter offers the immunization community information about current topics. The information is in the public domain and can be reproduced and circulated widely.
Related Links
Back to top
EDUCATION AND TRAINING
CDC to offer December 5 webinar about how to make an influenza vaccination recommendation that matters to patients
Please save the date for a CDC-sponsored webinar on December 5 at 1:00 p.m. (ET) titled "#HowIRecommend Flu Vaccine: How to Make Recommendations that Matter to Patients." This webinar will assist healthcare professionals with making recommendations and addressing important questions from patients.
Registration information
Related Links
Back to top
CDC to sponsor November 29 webinar for clinicians about the current hepatitis A outbreaks in multiple states
CDC will present a one-hour webinar, Hepatitis A Outbreaks in Multiple States: CDC Recommendations and Guidance, beginning at 2:00 p.m. (ET) on November 29. Part of its Clinician Outreach and Communication Activity (COCA) series, CDC has provided the following description of this session:
Hepatitis A is a highly contagious, vaccine-preventable, viral disease spread via a fecal-oral route or by exposure to contaminated food or water. Hepatitis A rates have declined substantially in the United States since the introduction of the hepatitis A vaccine in 1996. However, since early 2017, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has observed an increase in the number of community-wide hepatitis A outbreaks in multiple states. For these outbreaks, CDC recommends vaccination for persons who report drug use (injection and non-injection), persons at high risk for drug use (e.g., participating in drug substitution programs, receiving substance abuse counseling or treatment, recently or currently incarcerated), men who have sex with men, and persons experiencing homelessness. CDC also encourages vaccination in certain settings such as emergency departments and corrections facilities in outbreak-affected areas when feasible. During this COCA call, subject matter experts from CDC will discuss vaccination to stop these outbreaks and current CDC recommendations for the hepatitis A vaccine.
Free continuing education credits (CME, CNE, CEU, CECH, and CPE) will be available.
Bookmark this page and then click on the link provided a few minutes before the webinar is scheduled to begin.
Related Link
Back to top
Meningitis B Action Project to sponsor November 26 webinar for colleges and universities
NFID to offer December 13 webinar about travel vaccination
The National Foundation for Infectious Diseases (NFID) will present a webinar titled "Travel Vaccines: Know Before You (Or Your Patients) Go" on December 13 at 12:00 p.m. (ET). The session will include presentations by Wilbur H. Chen, MD, MS, director, University of Maryland, Baltimore Travel Medicine Practice and Jeffery A. Goad, PharmD, MPH, director, NFID, and professor and chair, Pharmacy Practice, Chapman University School of Pharmacy. The presentations will focus on updates to travel vaccine recommendations and strategies for implementation.
Registration open for February ACIP meeting
ACIP will hold its next meeting on February 27–28 in Atlanta. To attend the meeting, ACIP attendees (participants and visitors) must register online. The registration deadline for non-U.S. citizens is January 30; for U.S. citizens, it's February 15. Registration is not required to watch the meeting via webcast or listen to the proceedings via phone. See the first link below for the toll-free phone number and passcode.
Related Links
Back to top
|
|
