Issue Number
281 November
12, 2001
CONTENTS OF THIS ISSUE
- CDC revises official booklet on Vaccine Information
Statements (VISs)
- CDC publishes update on bioterrorism-related anthrax and
notice to readers on symptoms
- Healthy People 2010 documents now available on CD-ROM
- CDC reports on campaign to vaccinate against rubella and
measles in Costa Rica
- Free! Copies of Needle Tips (Spring 2001 issue)
available
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November 12, 2001
CDC REVISES OFFICIAL BOOKLET ON VACCINE INFORMATION STATEMENTS (VISs)
On October 1, 2001, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) released the latest edition of its official VIS booklet for
providers, "Vaccine Information Statements: What You Need to Know."
The booklet covers VIS fundamentals (what, who, why, when which); practical guidelines; questions and answers; legal
issues; VIS instructions (also revised, see IAC Express #280); and camera-ready copies of current VISs in
English.
FYI: The PDF format of the entire publication described below is a very large
file and some printers are unable to print a file of this size. For some helpful
tips on downloading and printing PDF files, go to: http://www.immunize.org/nslt.d/tips.htm
To obtain a complete copy of "Vaccine Information Statements: What You Need to Know," call CDC at (800) 232-2522 or go to
the VIS page on IAC's website for a camera-ready (PDF format) copy: http://www.immunize.org/vis/visbooklet.pdf
To obtain just the guidelines and instructions but not the VISs, go to:
HTML: http://www.immunize.org/vis/instr01.htm
PDF: http://www.immunize.org/vis/instr01.pdf
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November 12, 2001
CDC PUBLISHES UPDATE ON BIOTERRORISM-RELATED ANTHRAX AND NOTICE TO READERS ON SYMPTOMS
CDC published two anthrax articles in the November 9, 2001, issue of Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report: "Update:
Investigation of Bioterrorism-related Anthrax" and "Notice to Readers: Considerations for
Distinguishing Influenza-like Illness from Inhalational Anthrax."
The Editorial Note to "Update: Investigation of Bioterrorism-related Anthrax"
reads in part as follows:
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Since the last report, one new case of confirmed cutaneous anthrax has been identified in a media company employee
resulting from exposure to a previously known contaminated letter. The probable source of exposure for
two cases reported last week (one cutaneous and one inhalational) has yet to
be determined. Although these two cases ultimately might be attributed to letter
handling, the lack of a discernable link to previous cases or workplaces raises the
possibility of new routes of exposure or new target populations.
Since October 8, approximately 32,000 persons with potential exposure to B. anthracis in FL, NJ, NYC, and DC
have initiated antimicrobial prophylaxis to prevent anthrax infection, and for approximately 5,000 persons, a 60-day
course of antibiotics has been recommended. . . .CDC and state and local public health agencies are
continuing epidemiologic and laboratory investigations of bioterrorism-related anthrax. Even without confirmed cases
of anthrax, state and local health departments have responded to public concerns
and have applied substantial personnel and laboratory resources to address anthrax
issues in recent weeks. . . . Because new cases of anthrax may occur, public health authorities and clinicians should
remain vigilant.
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To obtain the complete text of this Update online, go to: http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm5044a1.htm
To obtain a camera-ready (PDF) format) copy of this issue of MMWR, go to: http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/PDF/wk/mm5044.pdf
The Notice to Readers, "Considerations for Distinguishing Influenza-like
Illness from Inhalational Anthrax," reads in part as follows:
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CDC has issued guidelines on the evaluation of persons with a history of exposure to Bacillus anthracis spores or who
have an occupational or environmental risk for anthrax exposure. This notice describes the clinical
evaluation of persons who are not known to be at increased risk for anthrax
but who have symptoms of influenza-like illness (ILI). Clinicians evaluating
persons with ILI should consider a combination of epidemiologic, clinical, and,
if indicated, laboratory and radiographic test results to evaluate the likelihood
that inhalational anthrax is the basis for ILI symptoms.
ILI is a nonspecific respiratory illness characterized by fever, fatigue, cough,
and other symptoms. The majority of ILI cases [are] not caused by influenza but by other
viruses. . . . Yearly, adults and children can average one to three and three to six ILI, respectively. . . .Nasal congestion and rhinorrhea are
features of most ILI cases not associated with anthrax.
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To obtain the complete text of this Notice online, go to: http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm5044a5.htm
To obtain a camera-ready (PDF) format) copy of this issue of MMWR, go to: http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/PDF/wk/mm5044.pdf
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://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.
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November 12, 2001
HEALTHY PEOPLE 2010 DOCUMENTS NOW AVAILABLE ON CD-ROM
The Healthy People documents released in November 2000 have been compiled on a CD-ROM that has been tested in six web
browsers and found to be virtually crash-free, according to the CD-ROM liner notes.
Healthy People is a national initiative of the U.S. Department of Health and
Human Services that brings together national, state, and local organizations;
businesses; communities; and individuals to improve the health of all Americans, eliminate disparities in health,
and increase both years and quality of life. The initiative includes immunization and infectious disease objectives,
which have been expanded since Healthy People 2000.
"Healthy People 2010 CD-ROM" includes electronic files (HTML, PDF, MS Word, RTF) of Understanding and Improving
Health, Healthy People 2010, and Tracking Healthy People 2010. When ordering the CD-ROM, reference
GPO stock no. 017-001-00549-5. Cost is $19.
To purchase a copy of the CD-ROM, contact the U.S. Government Printing Office by phone at (202) 512-1800 or
mail at:
U.S. Government Printing Office
Superintendent of Documents
P.O. Box 371954
Pittsburgh, PA 15250-7954
To access all of the CD-ROM files online and to learn more about Healthy People 2010, go to:
http://www.health.gov/healthypeople/document
To view just the Healthy People 2010 text on immunization under "Leading Health Indicators," go to:
http://www.health.gov/healthypeople/document/html/uih/uih_4.htm#immuniz
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November 12, 2001
CDC REPORTS ON CAMPAIGN TO VACCINATE AGAINST RUBELLA AND MEASLES IN COSTA RICA
On November 9, 2001, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) published "Nationwide Campaign for Vaccination of Adults
against Rubella and Measles--Costa Rica, 2001" in Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR).
A large rubella outbreak occurred in Costa Rica in 1999, and in 2001, a nationwide vaccination campaign commenced,
reaching approximately 1.6 million people. The report highlights "successful aspects of the campaign," including
house-to-house vaccination teams.
To obtain the complete text of this article online, go to: http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm5044a2.htm
To obtain a camera-ready (PDF) format) copy of this issue of MMWR, go to: http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/PDF/wk/mm5044.pdf
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November 12, 2001
FREE! COPIES OF NEEDLE TIPS (SPRING 2001 ISSUES) AVAILABLE
The Immunization Action Coalition (IAC) is giving away bulk copies (up to 200 per
request) of the Spring issue of Needle Tips to make room for our new Fall 2001
issue.
If you have an immunization conference or an educational program coming up for
health professionals, this is an excellent item to distribute.
Because supplies are limited, it's best to make your request right away. The free
copies go quickly.
To request copies, fill out the online form on IAC's website: http://www.immunize.org/oldnt/
You will be asked to supply the following information:
- the number of copies you want (maximum 200)
- a description of how you plan to use the copies
- your name and complete contact information, including
mailing address, telephone number, and email address
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