Issue Number
259 July 11, 2001
CONTENTS OF THIS ISSUE
- CDC's National Immunization Program releases Influenza
Vaccine Bulletin #3
- National Immunization Conference online continuing
education credit deadline extended to July 15
- CDC reports on the first fatal cases of adenovirus-related illness
among military recruits since vaccine became unavailable
- APHA annual meeting is October 21-25 in Atlanta
----------------------------------------------------------
Back to Top
(1)
July 11, 2001
CDC'S NATIONAL IMMUNIZATION PROGRAM RELEASES INFLUENZA VACCINE BULLETIN #3
On July 6, 2001, the National Immunization Program issued the third in a series of influenza vaccine bulletins
designed to update health professionals on the production, distribution, and administration of influenza vaccine for
the 2001-2002 influenza season. The bulletin is reprinted below in its entirety.
*************************************
INFLUENZA VACCINE BULLETIN #3
July 6, 2001
The National Immunization Program (NIP) of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is publishing and
distributing a periodic bulletin to update partners about recent developments related to the production,
distribution and administration of influenza vaccine for the 2001-2002 influenza season. All recipients of this bulletin are
encouraged to distribute each issue widely to colleagues, members and constituents.
INFLUENZA VACCINE SUPPLY AND PRODUCTION
The CDC expects some delays in availability of influenza vaccine supplies this
season. However, the vaccine manufacturers project that the total influenza vaccine
supply will be greater than in the last few years.
- Projected distribution of influenza vaccine for 2001,
based on aggregate manufacturers' estimates as of June 15, is 83.7 million doses, which would
exceed actual distribution in 1999 and 2000. By the end of October 2001,
53.5 million doses (64 percent of the total) are projected to be distributed and
30.2 million doses (36 percent of the total) are projected to be available in
November and December. By comparison, in 1999 when there was no delay,
75.8 million doses or 99 percent of the total vaccine supply was available by
the end of October. Expected delays this year are not anticipated to be as
great as those experienced last season. Nevertheless, officials at FDA and
CDC stress that these are early projections from manufacturers and could
change as the season progresses. CDC will keep you updated.
INFLUENZA VACCINE DISTRIBUTION AND ADMINISTRATION
Supplemental influenza recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices will be published in
CDC's Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR) dated July 13, 2001.
- On the basis of current projections, the Advisory
Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) has made supplemental influenza
recommendations. Emphasis will be placed on making the initial supply of
influenza vaccine available to health care providers who serve persons in
high-risk categories. (See Influenza Bulletin #2 [http://www.immunize.org/genr.d/issue255.htm#n2] for
summary). When published, these recommendations, as well as the original ACIP influenza
recommendations (MMWR dated April 20, 2001), can be found at CDC's influenza vaccine website at
http://www.cdc.gov/nip/flu
State-specific levels of influenza vaccination coverage
among persons aged 65 years of age and older were published in the June 29, 2001 MMWR (vol.
50, no. 25).
- In 1998-99, influenza vaccination levels among older
persons in each state exceeded or were close to the 60 percent national 2000 objective. Coverage
for persons greater than or equal to 65 years was 67 percent. However,
influenza vaccination levels may have reached a plateau which is well below the 90 percent national objective for
2010. Racial/ethnic and socioeconomic disparities in influenza vaccination coverage continued.
The vaccination rate among high-risk children recommended
for annual influenza vaccination is very low.
- Health care providers should make sure that children at
high risk of developing complications from influenza receive influenza vaccine annually.
Depending on the manufacturer, influenza vaccines are approved for use in
different pediatric age groups. Influenza vaccines from Wyeth Laboratories,
Inc. (Flushield) and Aventis Pasteur, Inc. (Fluzone 7, split) are approved for
use among persons aged 6 months and older. Fluvirin7, produced by Evans
Vaccine, Ltd. and distributed by GIV is labeled in the United States for
use only among persons aged 4 years and older.
High-risk children who are eligible for vaccines under the
Vaccines for Children (VFC) Program can receive the vaccine at no cost, though providers
may be able to bill Medicaid for administrative costs or charge these fees to
the parents of VFC-eligible children not enrolled in Medicaid.
- Providers can obtain influenza vaccine through the VFC
Program for their patients who qualify. VFC-eligible children can receive influenza vaccine from
providers who are part of the VFC program, local health departments or
community health centers. Providers interested in enrolling in the VFC
Program should contact their state health department.
INFLUENZA VACCINE COMMUNICATIONS
As the season progresses and more information is obtained regarding influenza vaccine issues, CDC will provide that
information at its website: http://www.cdc.gov/nip/flu
- CDC is updating the influenza website on a frequent basis.
A newly designed website should be completed in early July and will have sections for
the public, providers and the media. The website will include new information
for this season, ACIP recommendations and links to other sources of information on influenza.
*************************************
------------------------------------------------------------
Back to Top
(2)
July 11, 2001
NATIONAL IMMUNIZATION CONFERENCE ONLINE CONTINUING EDUCATION CREDIT DEADLINE EXTENDED TO JULY 15
The National Immunization Conference (NIC) has extended the deadline to July 15 to obtain online continuing education
(CE) credits for attending the 2001 NIC in Atlanta in May. If you have not yet registered for CE, don't miss
this opportunity.
To obtain CE credit, visit http://www.phppo.cdc.gov/phtnonline/index.asp
Once you have registered and logged in to the system, you can search for the
conference. Select "Search and Register," select the "Calendar" view, and then set the search date for
May 1, 2001.
If you experience any problems in completing the online CE process, call (800) 41-TRAIN (800-418-7246).
------------------------------------------------------------
Back to Top
(3)
July 11, 2001
CDC REPORTS ON THE FIRST FATAL CASES OF ADENOVIRUS-RELATED ILLNESS AMONG MILITARY RECRUITS SINCE VACCINE BECAME
UNAVAILABLE
CDC published an article titled, "Two Fatal Cases of Adenovirus-Related Illness in Previously Healthy Young
Adults--Illinois, 2000," in the July 6, 2001, issue of Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR).
According to the report, "Beginning in 1971, all military recruits received oral,
live, enteric-coated vaccines that were licensed by the Food and Drug Administration as safe
and effective in preventing illness from adenovirus serotypes 4 and 7. In 1996, the sole manufacturer ceased
production of adenoviral vaccines and, as supplies dwindled during the next few years,
outbreaks of adenoviral respiratory illness reemerged in military settings.
Since 1999, approximately 10%-12% of all recruits have become ill with adenovirus infection in basic training, similar to the
prevaccine era. This report describes the first two deaths probably associated with adenovirus
infection identified in military recruits since the vaccines became unavailable.
The military has requested proposals for a new adenovirus vaccine manufacturer; however, these deaths suggest that
efforts by policymakers and pharmaceutical companies to reestablish adenoviral vaccine production
should be intensified."
To read the complete text of this article online, go to:
http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm5026a1.htm
To obtain the complete issue of the MMWR in camera-ready (PDF) format, go to:
http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/PDF/wk/mm5025.pdf
HOW TO OBTAIN A FREE ELECTRONIC SUBSCRIPTION TO THE MMWR: To obtain a free electronic subscription to MMWR, visit CDC's
MMWR website at: http://www.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.
------------------------------------------------------------
Back to Top
(4)
July 11, 2001
APHA ANNUAL MEETING IS OCTOBER 21-25 IN ATLANTA
Register by August 17, 2001, to receive an early-bird registration discount for
the American Public Health Association (APHA) annual meeting on October 21-25 in
Atlanta.
Featured speakers include Dr. Gro Harlem Brundland, Director-General of the
World Health Organization; Rosalyn Carter, former First Lady; and Dr. Louis
Sullivan, former Secretary of Health and Human Services.
For registration materials or further information, call (514) 228-3009, email
APHA@laser-registration.com
or visit the APHA website at http://www.apha.org/meetings
For a detailed list of additional upcoming immunization and
hepatitis conferences and events, visit IAC's "Calendar of Events" at: http://www.immunize.org/calendar/
|
