Issue Number
185
September 1,
2000
CONTENTS OF THIS ISSUE
- CDC'S newly revised interim hepatitis B Vaccine
Information Statement (VIS) now available online!
- CDC announces new free software available for influenza
pandemic preparedness planning
- Now available online! "Vaccine Myths," a chapter from
the book VACCINES: WHAT EVERY PARENT SHOULD KNOW
- Mark your calendars! April 22-28, 2001, is National
Infant Immunization Week
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(1)
September 1, 2000
CDC'S NEW HEPATITIS B VACCINE INFORMATION STATEMENT (VIS) NOW AVAILABLE ONLINE!
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued an interim Vaccine Information Statement (VIS) for
hepatitis B vaccine. This VIS (dated 8/23/00) is now available on CDC's website and the website of the
Immunization Action Coalition (IAC).
The only change from the VIS dated 12/16/98 is the addition of information on
the alternative two-dose adolescent schedule. The 12/16/98 VIS is still valid
and may be used until stocks are depleted. The final version of this new hepatitis B VIS will be available this winter.
Foreign-language translations of this interim document are not currently available.
To obtain a camera-ready copy (PDF format) of the interim hepatitis B VIS, visit one of the following web pages:
CDC: http://www.cdc.gov/nip/publications/vis/vis-hep-b.pdf
IAC: http://www.immunize.org/vis/hepb00.pdf
To obtain copies of all other VISs, including some in up to 22 languages, visit
IAC's website at: http://www.immunize.org/vis/
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September 1, 2000
CDC ANNOUNCES NEW FREE SOFTWARE AVAILABLE FOR INFLUENZA PANDEMIC PREPAREDNESS PLANNING
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) published a Notice to Readers in the September 1, 2000,
issue of the MMWR about the availability of influenza pandemic preparedness planning software, FluAid 2.0. The
complete notice is reprinted below:
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Availability of Influenza Pandemic Preparedness Planning FluAid, 2.0
Influenza pandemics have occurred three times during the 20th century: 1918, 1957, and 1968. Experts predict that
another influenza pandemic is likely, if not inevitable. Prepandemic planning is essential if influenza
pandemic-related morbidity, mortality, and social disruption are to be minimized. To help state and local public health
officials and policy makers prepare for the next influenza pandemic, CDC has developed FluAid, 2.0, a
specialized software that estimates the number of deaths, hospitalizations, and
outpatient visits that may occur during the next pandemic. The software also
will help planners calculate the potential burden of an influenza pandemic on
health-care resources (e.g., number of hospital beds required and doctors available to see outpatients as a
percentage of existing capacity).
Starting September 1, 2000, FluAid, 2.0 will be available from the National Vaccine Program Office's World-Wide Web
site, http://www.cdc.gov/od/nvpo/pandemics/
The software can be downloaded or can be accessed as an online calculator. A manual is provided explaining
the software, required data inputs, and suggestions for data sources. FluAid is
in the public domain and available free of charge.
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To access the full text of this notice online, go to: http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm4934a5.htm
HOW TO OBTAIN A FREE ELECTRONIC SUBSCRIPTION TO THE MMWR:
To obtain a free electronic subscription to the "Morbidity and Mortality Weekly
Report" (MMWR), visit CDC's MMWR website at: http://www2.cdc.gov/mmwr
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 arrive automatically by e-mail.
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September 1, 2000
NOW AVAILABLE ONLINE! "VACCINE MYTHS," A CHAPTER FROM THE BOOK "VACCINES: WHAT EVERY PARENT SHOULD KNOW"
Learn about the myths and facts regarding childhood immunization from two respected infectious disease
experts. Reprinted from the book VACCINES: WHAT EVERY PARENT SHOULD KNOW by Paul A. Offit, MD, and Louis M.
Bell, MD (IDG Books Worldwide, 1999), the chapter "Vaccine Myths" examines 20 of the most persistent myths about vaccination
and dispels them through facts and reliable research.
The book offers a comprehensive look at information every parent should have
about vaccines. The authors explain what vaccines are, how they work, and why children need them.
They discuss how vaccine safety is ensured and look in-depth at each vaccine that is offered to children in the
United States.
To obtain a camera-ready copy (PDF format) of the chapter "Vaccine Myths," go to: http://www.immunize.org/catg.d/4038myth.pdf
To obtain the text version (HTML format), go to: http://www.immunize.org/catg.d/4038myth.htm
To purchase the book VACCINES: WHAT EVERY PARENT SHOULD
KNOW, visit your local bookstore, call the publisher IDG Books at (800) 762-2974, or go to IDG's online bookstore:
http://164.109.153.102/product.asp?isbn=0028638611
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(4)
September 1, 2000
MARK YOUR CALENDARS! APRIL 22-28, 2001, IS NATIONAL INFANT IMMUNIZATION WEEK
National Infant Immunization Week (NIIW) is scheduled for the week of April 22-28, 2001. Traditionally held the third
week in April, it has been scheduled a week later next year to avoid conflict with the Easter holiday.
Since 1994, NIIW has called attention to the importance of proper immunization for infants and toddlers. Communities
throughout the United States use NIIW by offering expanded clinic hours, distributing information to
the public in shopping and entertainment centers, holding immunization fairs,
and creating new partnerships with businesses and community groups.
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