1. Before a routine childhood vaccine is administered to anyone (this includes adults!) you must give the patient or the parent/guardian a copy of the most current Vaccine Information Statement (VIS) available for that vaccine. The parent or guardian of any child who receives DTaP, DTP, Td, polio, Hib, hepatitis B, varicella, and MMR must be given the appropriate VIS(s). NOTE: Any adult who receives any of these just-listed vaccines must also be given the appropriate VIS(s). Make sure you give your patients time to read the VIS(s) prior to administration of the vaccine.

2. You must record in your patient's chart the date that the VIS was given.

3. You also must record on the patient's chart the publication date which appears on the bottom of the VIS that you gave to the patient. Make sure you have the most current set of VISs. If you're not sure, contact your state health department's immunization program manager. They also have foreign language translations. Phone numbers can be found by clicking here: http://www.immunize.org/nslt.d/n18/coord18.htm

Both of our forms, "Vaccine Administration Record for Children and Teens" and "Adult Vaccine Administration Record," now have a column to record the publication date that appears on the VIS you gave to the patient as well as all the other pertinent information you need to keep track of your patient's immunization history. Click here: http://www.immunize.org/catg.d/p2022b.pdf   to download "Vaccine Administration Record for Children and Teens." Click here: http://www.immunize.org/catg.d/p2023b.pdf to download "Adult Vaccine Administration Record." These forms are reviewed by CDC for technical accuracy. They are also camera-ready and copyright-free, so you may make as many copies as you need.

How to get Vaccine Information Statements (VISs). (1) You can get Vaccine Information Statements (VISs) off of the National Immunization Program's website. To view a list of the VISs that are current, and to download ones you need, click here: http://www.cdc.gov/nip/publications/VIS/default.htm. (2) You can also order a set of VISs or individual VISs by calling CDC's Immunization Hotline at 800-232-2522, but it takes 4-6 weeks to process your order. (3) Try your state immunization program manager! Click here for phone numbers of state immunization program managers: http://www.immunize.org/nslt.d/n18/coord18.htm.

To find out more about the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program, visit their website at http://www.hrsa.dhhs.gov/bhpr/vicp/.
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(2)
September 10, 1998
GET THE LATEST VACCINE UPDATES BEAMED TO YOU BY "DR. BILL"

Get up-to-date on new vaccines, vaccine combinations, and the latest recommendations from the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) by tuning in to CDC's satellite broadcast on Thursday, September 10.

"Immunization Update 1998" is not your typical government-issued broadcast! Moderated by "Dr. Bill" (formally known as William L. Atkinson, MD, MPH) and Sharon Humiston, MD, MPH, medical epidemiologists with the National Immunization Program, "Immunization Update 1998" is a lively, upbeat, 2.5 hour interactive immunization course. It will be broadcast twice on Thursday, September 10, once from 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. (eastern time) and again from 1 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. (eastern time) CMEs, CNEs and CEUs will be provided to participants successfully completing the course. For more information about the course, click here: http://www.cdc.gov/phtn/130022.htm.

To sign up or for more information, contact your Satellite Broadcast State Coordinator. Click here http://www.cdc.gov/phtn/stcoords.htm for his or her phone number, or call your state immunization program manager. Click here for phone numbers: http://www.immunize.org/nslt.d/n18/coord18.htm
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(3)
August 26, 1998
LINK TO THE BIG "PINK BOOK" AND DOWNLOAD A GREAT REFERENCE BOOK

No clinic should be without "Epidemiology & Prevention of Vaccine-Preventable Diseases," a great immunization resource book, edited by Dr. William Atkinson, et al, National  Immunization Program at CDC. This reference book, aka the "Pink Book," is CDC's definitive resource book on vaccines. The "Pink Book" condenses a large amount of disease and vaccine information into an easily readable form so that it can be used as a quick reference in busy clinics and offices.  It is also used as the textbook to support the National Immunization Program's training courses on epidemiology and prevention of vaccine-preventable diseases via satellite.

You can download the "Pink Book" from the web but first make sure you have lots of paper because it's 500 plus pages strong! You should also check it out on the screen first because you might only need to download certain chapters. The edition on the web is the 4th edition, which was published in September 1997. A new edition will be available January 1999. Click here: http://www.cdc.gov/nip/publications/pink/default.htm to view and/or download the "Pink Book."

If you want a bound copy of the "Pink Book," the cost is $20. To have an order form faxed to you, call 1-888-232-3299. The document number is 130016. Follow the instructions and you will receive an order form shortly after you hang up the phone. To order the book with a credit card, call 1-800-418-7246.  When given a choice of numbers to press, press 4. In the next menu, press 1 and you will be able to order.
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(4)
October 14-15, 1998
FIRST NATIONAL CONFERENCE ON IMMUNIZATION COALITIONS SET FOR OCTOBER 14-15, 1998

The 1st National Conference on Immunization Coalitions will be held October 14-15, 1998, in Kansas City, MO, at the Hyatt Regency Crown Center. This two-day conference, entitled, "Building and Sustaining Partnerships," is designed for individuals and organizations with an interest in childhood, adolescent, and adult immunization who seek to impact their communities and their states through collaborative efforts. Attendees can expect to learn how to develop a funding plan, find out where the funding is, learn how and why to evaluate their coalitions, and more. "The Value of Coalitions" is the subject of the keynote address to be delivered by Joel Kuritsky, MD, National Immunization Program, CDC. For more information, including a registration form and exhibitor information, call the National Conference on Immunization Coalitions at 800-960-9577. In Missouri, call 816-960-0045.
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(5)
August 26, 1998
THERE'S A HEPATITIS B SUPPORT GROUP ON THE WEB

There's a new discussion group on the web for people who have chronic hepatitis B virus infection. The group, which also includes health professionals and other supporters of people with hepatitis B virus infection, has been active for about 3 months. Currently there are approximately 10 postings/day.

The welcoming message you receive when you sign up to be part of the "Hepatitis B Information and Support List" speaks best for the quality and tone of the group:

"Welcome to the Hepatitis B Information and Support List. All are welcome, those who are Hepatitis B sufferers, their family or friends, "hepper helpers," or any other interested parties. A caring and compassionate family atmosphere of love and support is what we hope will be the tone of this list."

To subscribe to the list, just send a blank e-mail to hepatitis-b-on@mail-list.com or click here:  mailto:hepatitis-b-on@mail-list.com.
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(6)
August 26, 1998
FREE POSTERS TO PROMOTE NATIONAL ADULT IMMUNIZATION WEEK

October 11-16 is National Adult Immunization Week. The Immunization Action Coalition wants to help you promote adult immunization by giving you free posters. The 7" x 14" poster is on peach-colored paper with purple ink. It is a cartoon drawing of a doctor giving her patient a shot as the grandchild looks on with a "na-na, na-na, boo-boo" look on his face. At the top of the picture is a bold line that reads: "Immunization...Not Just Kids' Stuff." At the bottom of the poster is another line: "Make sure you're up to date!" Hang this poster up in all your exam rooms! If you're having a special influenza/pneumococcal/Td shot clinic, use it there,
too! This is a great poster to use throughout the year.

To request your copies, send us an e-mail at admin@immunize.org, or click here: mailto:admin@immunize.org, or write IAC, 1573 Selby Avenue, #234, St. Paul, MN 55104, or fax your request to 612-647-9131. Limit 100 posters.  Please also include a brief description of how you will use the posters. Make sure you include the complete name and mailing address where you'd like the materials sent. (We'll also mail you our camera-ready CDC-reviewed brochure on adult immunization which is the companion piece to the poster. You can make as many copies as you'd like.)
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(7)
August 26, 1998
MATERIALS YOU CAN DOWNLOAD AND USE FOR ADULT
IMMUNIZATION WEEK

The Immunization Action Coalition has lots of materials on our website that you can use to promote adult immunization during National Adult Immunization Week.

For a camera-ready, copyright-free copy of "Immunization...Not Just Kids' Stuff," a brochure on immunization for adult patients, just click on the language you want.
English: http://www.immunize.org/catg.d/p4035.pdf
Spanish: http://www.immunize.org/catg.d/p4035-01.pdf
Chinese: http://www.immunize.org/catg.d/p4035ch.pdf

For a copy of "Vaccinations for Adults, You're Never Too Old for Shots," a simple one-page sheet that shows adults which vaccinations they need, click here: http://www.immunize.org/catg.d/p4030a.pdf

You can also check out our VACCINATE ADULTS! catalog on the web (http://www.immunize.org/va/backissu.htm). Once you get to the catalog, you can click on the order number of the printed item you want and then you can either download the item in web format or PDF (camera-ready) format. If you are unable to download our VACCINATE ADULTS! order form, send us an e-mail at admin@immunize.org or, click here: mailto:admin@immunize.org, to request one and we'll fax it to you if you include your fax number.
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(8)
August 26, 1998
FREE FOR THE ASKING -- BULK COPIES OF "NEEDLE TIPS" AND "VACCINATE ADULTS!"

We're giving away bulk copies of the spring/summer 1998 issue of "NEEDLE TIPS" and "VACCINATE ADULTS!" to make room for the fall/winter 98/99 issues. These publications contain lots of up-to-date immunization information. If you have an immunization conference or meeting coming up, these publications are excellent handouts! Send us an e-mail to  admin@immunize.org, or click here: mailto:admin@immunize.org, and let us know how many copies (up to 500) you want, your name, to whom and where to mail them, and a brief description of how they will be used. When requesting copies, remember that "NEEDLE TIPS" is for health professionals who see children, adolescents, and/or adults, and "VACCINATE ADULTS!" (an abbreviated version of "NEEDLE TIPS") is for health professionals who provide health care services for adults. Questions? Call 612-647-9009.
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(9)
August 26, 1998
DO YOU NEED AN EASY WAY TO EDUCATE PRE-TEENS ABOUT IMMUNIZATION? ORDER "IMMUNIZATION PLUS!"

Order "Immunization Plus" to make your job of teaching immunization PLUS math, science, and language to pre-teens a little easier and more fun! "Immunization Plus," includes a teacher training video, worksheets, resource manual, PLUS an upbeat video, "Immunization Day," to show your students.  "Immunization Plus" is ONLY $25. Get it before school starts!

You can also order "Immunization Day," (the video for students), separately, for $10. Reviews are in and kids love it!

To order copies of "Immunization Plus" or just "Immunization Day," (video for students), send your order and check to the Immunization Action Coalition, 1573 Selby Avenue, #234, St. Paul, MN 55104. Make sure you include the complete name and mailing address where you'd like the materials sent.

If you want to order more than 3 copies of either "Immunization PLUS" or "Immunization Day," call us at 612-647-9009. We'll give you a special price.
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(10)
August 26, 1998
VACCINATING STUDENTS AND STAFF IN SCHOOL? ORDER THE NEW "ROLL UP BOTH SLEEVES!"

Wait!! Don't spend all that energy designing a program to get students and staff vaccinated. The groundwork has already been done for you! "Roll Up BOTH Sleeves!" is a comprehensive guide for nurses and program planners who are planning a school-based vaccination program. It includes a step-by-step manual for implementing school-based vaccinations, an introductory video for teachers and health professionals, and an entertaining video for 10-12 year olds entitled "The Case of the Missing Shots." This entire packet of information is only $15. For an order form, e-mail American School Health Association at asha@ashaweb.org, or click here:
mailto:asha@ashaweb.org, and request that they either mail you or fax you an order form. If you want it mailed, don't forget to include your postal address as part of your request. You may also call 1-330-678-1601 for more information.