Issue
Number 337
September 23, 2002
CONTENTS OF THIS ISSUE
- Revised! IAC's updated "Give These People
Influenza Vaccine!" now online
- Revised! IAC's updated "It's Federal Law! You
Must Give Your Patients Current VISs" now online
- New! IAC adds web page: Immunization and Health
Care Workers
- New! CDC's National Immunization Program
releases Influenza Vaccine Bulletin #4
- National Hepatitis Coordinators' Conference set
for January 26-30, 2003, in San Antonio, TX
- New pertussis website! Hear it, see it, and
learn about it online
- MMWR notifies readers about a recent human
rabies encephalitis death in Tennessee
- Adult Immunization Symposium: 2002 Clinical
Update to be held November 7, 2002, in New York
- Online now! Report of the meeting on
"Strengthening Immunisation Systems and Introduction of Hepatitis B
Vaccine in Central and Eastern Europe and the Newly Independent States"
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September 23, 2002
REVISED! IAC'S UPDATED "GIVE THESE PEOPLE INFLUENZA VACCINE!" NOW ONLINE
The Immunization Action Coalition (IAC) has updated "Give These People
Influenza Vaccine!" just in time for the 2002-2003 flu season. Intended to
keep you and your staff informed about the latest recommendations of
the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, the one-page professional
educational sheet contains two significant revisions:
- All children age 6-23 months are now
encouraged to receive influenza vaccine (when feasible) because of their
increased risk for influenza-related hospitalization.
- Household contacts of children age 0-23
months are now encouraged to receive influenza vaccine.
You may want to put copies of the sheet in
each exam room to remind yourself and your staff to ask questions that will
help you decide which of your patients need flu vaccination this year.
To view or download the revised "Give These People Influenza Vaccine!" go
to: http://www.immunize.org/catg.d/2013flu.htm
For a camera-ready (PDF) version of the revised "Give These People Influenza
Vaccine!" go to: http://www.immunize.org/catg.d/2013flu.pdf
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September 23, 2002
REVISED! IAC'S UPDATED "IT'S FEDERAL LAW! YOU MUST GIVE YOUR PATIENTS
CURRENT VISs" NOW ONLINE
The Immunization Action Coalition (IAC) has updated "It's Federal Law! You
Must Give Your Patients Current VISs" to include revision dates for two VISs.
The interim VIS for MMR now carries a June 13, 2002, revision date; the VIS
for influenza carries a June 26, 2002, revision date.
The material in "It's Federal Law!" was originally written by Neal A.
Halsey, MD, Director, Institute for Vaccine Safety, Johns Hopkins School of
Public Health. It succinctly explains the following: what VISs are, which
are required by the National Childhood Vaccination Injury Act and which are
not, how to use VISs in your health care setting, the dates of the most
current versions, and how to get current VISs.
To view or download the revised "It's Federal Law!" go to:
http://www.immunize.org/catg.d/2027law.htm
For a camera-ready (PDF) version of the revised "It's Federal Law!" go to:
http://www.immunize.org/catg.d/2027law.pdf
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September 23, 2002
NEW! IAC ADDS WEB PAGE TITLED IMMUNIZATION AND HEALTH CARE WORKERS
The new Immunization and Health Care Workers web page of the Immunization
Action Coalition (IAC) brings you a list of more than 25 journal articles
and other resources with just the click of a mouse.
The information currently on the new web page is culled from academic
journals, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and IAC
publications. Journal articles make up the bulk of the page, but it also
contains recommendations, resources, and questions and answers from the
IAC's "Ask the Experts" information column.
To view the new Immunization and Health Care Workers web page, go to:
http://www.immunize.org/hcw/index.htm
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September 23, 2002
NEW! CDC'S NATIONAL IMMUNIZATION PROGRAM RELEASES INFLUENZA VACCINE BULLETIN
#4
On September 13, 2002, the National Immunization Program (NIP) of the
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued the fourth in a
series of influenza vaccine bulletins designed to update health
professionals on the production, distribution, and administration of
influenza vaccine for the 2002-2003 influenza season. To view or download
the bulletin, go to:
http://www.cdc.gov/nip/flu/Bulletins_2002-03/bulletin_4.htm The
bulletin is printed here in its entirety.
**********************
INFLUENZA VACCINE BULLETIN #4
Flu Season 2002-2003
September 13, 2002
The National Immunization Program (NIP) of the Centers for Disease Control
and Prevention (CDC) is publishing and distributing periodic bulletins to
update partners about recent developments related to the production,
distribution, and administration of influenza vaccine for the 2002-2003
influenza season. All recipients of this bulletin are encouraged to
distribute each issue widely to colleagues, members, and constituents.
INFLUENZA VACCINE SUPPLY AND PRODUCTION
- Projected influenza vaccine production for
the 2002-03 season, based on aggregate manufacturers' estimates, is
approximately 94 million doses. All three manufacturers report that
influenza vaccine production is proceeding satisfactorily. According to
the manufacturers, approximately 80 percent of the total production is
anticipated to be distributed before November 1.
INFLUENZA VACCINE DISTRIBUTION
Contact information for ordering influenza
vaccine from U.S.-based manufacturers (Aventis-Pasteur and Wyeth), as well
as the three distributors handling the Evans product, can be found on the
CDC influenza website at
http://www.cdc.gov/nip/flu/Provider.htm#ordering
- The U.S.-based manufacturers have
established waiting lists. Health care providers who still want to place
orders may find that some distributors who normally carry influenza
vaccine still have it available.
Health care providers may redistribute
influenza vaccine this season.
- The FDA has indicated that, during the
2002-03 vaccination season, providers may exchange influenza vaccine
between and among themselves in local circumstances where vaccine
distribution is uneven. When redistribution occurs, the hospital or health
care entity that is redistributing influenza vaccine should document and
maintain the following information: vaccine brand name; manufacturer and
distributor; lot number; number of doses transferred; and the
recipient's name and address. In any such redistribution, the influenza
vaccine and its transfer must comply with FDA's current good manufacturing
practices. Information on proper handling, storage, and shipping can be
found on the CDC influenza website at
http://www.cdc.gov/nip/flu/Provider.htm#handling
FDA recently approved a preservative-free
influenza vaccine for pediatric use.
- In early September, FDA approved a
preservative-free influenza vaccine for pediatric use. The vaccine,
manufactured by Aventis, will be available in limited quantities in
November. Health care providers can be placed on a waiting list for
the vaccine by contacting the manufacturer at 800-822-2463.
INFLUENZA VACCINE COMMUNICATIONS
A continuing education program is available on CD-ROM that offers primary
care providers strategies they can use to increase vaccination rates among
their adult patients.
- "Increasing Adult Vaccination Rates:
WhatWorks" is a program that offers users the opportunity to test their
knowledge of vaccine usage, explore epidemiological facts, access
reference materials and answers to frequently asked questions, and
review information about which strategies are effective. The CD-ROM can be
ordered free from this website (limit 1)
https://www2.cdc.gov/nchstp_od/PIWeb/niporderform.asp
New influenza patient-education materials for
the coming season are available on the CDC influenza website.
- New patient-education print materials,
which reflect the most recent recommendations of the Advisory Committee on
Immunization Practices (ACIP), can be viewed and reproduced directly from
http://www.cdc.gov/nip/flu/gallery.htm on the CDC influenza
website. Health care providers can download black and white master
copies of the flyers and reproduce them on their office copy machines.
Commercial printers can access the .pdf Press files to reproduce higher
quality materials, large quantities of materials, items in multiple
colors, posters, or buttons. Commercial printers can also request a
CD-ROM with traditional QuarkXPress 5.0 files by calling (404) 639-8226 or
emailing nipinfo@cdc.gov
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
(CMS) has completed their 2002-2003 Immunizers' Question and Answer Guide to
Medicare Coverage of Influenza and Pneumococcal Vaccinations.
- The guide can be found at
http://www.cms.hhs.gov/preventiveservices/2.asp#1 and includes
information on vaccination benefits, immunization guidelines, coverage
policy, payment policy, mass immunization, centralized billing, and
managed care.
- While many Medicare carriers have not yet
posted a payment for the 2002 influenza vaccine, according to sources at
CMS, effective October 1, the correct rate will be $8.01 per dose.
The next meeting of the ACIP will be on
October 16-17 in Atlanta, GA.
- On the agenda for the fall 2002 ACIP
meeting will be a discussion of influenza vaccine recommendations for the
2003-04 season.
National Adult Immunization Awareness Week (NAIAW)
is October 13-19. More information regarding NAIAW can be found at
http://www.nfid.org/ncai/publications/naiaw-kit/
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September 23, 2002
NATIONAL HEPATITIS COORDINATORS' CONFERENCE SET FOR JANUARY 26-30, 2003, IN
SAN ANTONIO, TX
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has chosen an inviting site
for the January 26-30, 2003, National Hepatitis Coordinators' Conference:
The Hyatt Regency San Antonio, on the Riverwalk in old town San Antonio.
Designed to provide training and networking opportunities, the conference is
intended for public health professionals, administrators, educators,
counselors, social workers, and others working with clients at risk for
viral hepatitis.
The focus will be on prevention of perinatal, infant, childhood, adolescent,
and adult infections and on dealing with high-risk populations such as
inmates, clients in HIV/STD clinics, substance abusers/injection drug users,
and men who have sex with men. Models of integrating hepatitis prevention
services into STD, HIV, correctional health, and substance abuse treatment
programs will be presented.
For complete information on continuing medical education credits,
registration, meeting venue and accommodations, conference materials, pre-
and post-conference sessions, and the conference program, click here:
http://www.med.umn.edu/cme/brochures2002/hepcoord2003/hepcoordbro2003.html
For toll-free registration information, call the conference planner, the
University of Minnesota Office of Continuing Medical Education, at (800)
776-8636.
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September 23, 2002
NEW PERTUSSIS WEBSITE! HEAR IT, SEE IT, AND LEARN ABOUT IT ONLINE
We now have a potent tool for educating parents about the serious risk
pertussis poses to infants and small children.
A new website, www.pertussis.com,
was created by the National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners to
help the public and healthcare providers recognize the illness in its
classic and mild forms and adequately diagnose and treat it.
To heighten people's appreciation of the disease, the site offers an
8-second video of a child coughing with pertussis. It also features
questions and answers about the disease in English and Spanish. We urge you
to explore the site and make your patients aware of it.
The site also has information for health professionals: a 7-minute
educational video, background information on the disease, a United States
map showing state-by-state disease incidence for 2001, and a reporting
guide with reporting forms and contact information for each state.
To access the site, click here:
http://www.pertussis.com
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September 23, 2002
MMWR NOTIFIES READERS ABOUT A RECENT HUMAN RABIES ENCEPHALITIS DEATH IN
TENNESSEE
On September 20, 2002, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
published "Human Rabies-Tennessee, 2002" in the Morbidity and
Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR).
The article recounts the case of a boy aged 13 years residing in Franklin
County, Tennessee, who died on August 31, 2002, from rabies encephalitis
caused by a rabies virus variant associated with silver-haired and
eastern pipistrelle bats.
The article reports the following: "The patient's family had several pets,
including cats, dogs, and horses, none of which had been ill. The parents
reported that the patient had found a bat on the ground during the day at a
nearby lake on approximately July 1 and brought it home. No other family
members handled the bat, which was released the same day. The patient never
reported being bitten by the bat, but at the time of the investigation the
patient could not be asked directly. The family was unaware of any animal
bite, and the patient never sought medical counseling or care related to the
bat exposure. The family was unaware that bats might be rabid and can
transmit rabies virus to humans."
The article's editorial note concludes as follows: "Bat rabies has been
documented throughout the continental United States. Prevention of human
cases of bat-variant rabies is complicated by the cryptogenic nature of many
exposures. However, certain prevention guidelines should be followed. The
public should be informed that bats carry the rabies virus. Unvaccinated or
untrained persons should not handle bats unless necessary. If necessary,
protective gloves and safety precautions should be used. Bats are not
appropriate as pets. Bats should be excluded from buildings and other
structures in close proximity to humans. In cases of known or possible
exposure to a bat, timely submission of the bat to public health officials
facilitates testing for the presence of rabies virus, helps to ensure rapid
PEP [postexposure prophylaxis] when indicated, and minimizes the unnecessary
use of an expensive therapy."
To obtain the complete text of the article online, go to:
http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm5137a2.htm
To obtain a camera-ready (PDF format) copy of this issue of MMWR, go to:
http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/PDF/wk/mm5137.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 email.
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September 23, 2002
ADULT IMMUNIZATION SYMPOSIUM: 2002 CLINICAL UPDATE TO BE HELD NOVEMBER 7,
2002, IN NEW YORK
The Second Adult Immunization Symposium: 2002 Clinical Update is set for
November 7, 2002, in the Stern Auditorium of Mount Sinai School of Medicine,
New York, NY.
It will feature experts from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention,
the New York City Department of Health, as well as faculty members from the
Mount Sinai School of Medicine, and other leading institutions in the United
States and Canada.
It is intended for primary care physicians and practitioners; internists,
infectious diseases attending physicians, and fellows; health and
occupational health service practitioners; nurses, nurse practitioners, and
physician assistants; and other health care providers who handle or educate
about adult vaccines.
For further information on the symposium, click here:
http://www.mssm.edu/new/medicine/infectious-disease/overview.shtml
For registration information, call (212) 241-6737.
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September 23, 2002
ONLINE NOW! REPORT OF THE MEETING ON "STRENGTHENING IMMUNISATION SYSTEMS AND
INTRODUCTION OF HEPATITIS B VACCINE IN CENTRAL AND EASTERN EUROPE AND THE
NEWLY INDEPENDENT STATES"
The Viral Hepatitis Prevention Board has made the report of the meeting on
"Strengthening Immunisation Systems and Introduction of Hepatitis B Vaccine
in Central and Eastern Europe and the Newly Independent States" available
online in English and Russian. The meeting was held June 24-27, 2001, in St.
Petersburg, Russian Federation.
For a camera-ready (PDF) version of the English language meeting report,
click on:
http://www.vhpb.org/stpetersburg/backgrounddoc/fullmeetingreport.pdf
For a camera-ready (PDF) version of the Russian language meeting report,
click on:
http://www.vhpb.org/stpetersburg/backgrounddoc/rusianmeetingreport.pdf
To learn more about the Viral Hepatitis Prevention Board, visit their home
page at: http://www.vhpb.org
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