Issue
Number 338
September 30, 2002
CONTENTS OF THIS ISSUE
-
MMWR publishes notice about the updated post-event
Smallpox Response Plan and Guidelines
-
GAO report examines issues involved in ensuring an adequate
supply of childhood vaccines
-
Order now! IAC's Adult Immunization Record Cards will help your patients
stay up-to-date during flu season and beyond
-
New! CDC's web-based Childhood Immunization Scheduler makes
it easier to keep track of vaccination due dates
-
MMWR publishes notice of expansion of eligibility
for influenza vaccine through the Vaccines for Children Program
-
FDA approves new treatment for chronic hepatitis B
-
New! 2002-2003 influenza VIS now in Chinese,
Vietnamese, Haitian Creole, and Portuguese
-
MMWR publishes notice about upcoming National Adult
Immunization Awareness Week
-
Fifth National Immunization Coalition Conference set for May 28-30, 2003;
abstracts due November 1
-
Provider alert! Date for submitting your plan for HIPAA compliance is
October 15
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September 30, 2002
MMWR PUBLISHES NOTICE ABOUT THE UPDATED POST-EVENT SMALLPOX RESPONSE PLAN
AND GUIDELINES
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) published a Notice to
Readers titled "Updated Post-Event Smallpox Response Plan and Guidelines" in
the September 27, 2002, issue of the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR).
The entire notice reads as follows:
********************
CDC has released an updated version of the post-event Smallpox Response Plan
and Guidelines. This is the second revision to these guidelines since they
were released in November 2001.
Version 3 of the guidelines contains an important addition-the "Smallpox
Vaccination Clinic Guide." This guide provides the operational and
logistical considerations associated with implementing a large-scale,
voluntary vaccination program as part of a multifaceted response to a
confirmed smallpox outbreak. Following a confirmed smallpox outbreak within
the United States, rapid, voluntary vaccination of a large segment of the
population might be required to 1) supplement priority surveillance and
containment control strategies in areas with smallpox cases, 2) reduce the
at-risk population for additional intentional releases of smallpox virus if
the probability of such occurrences is considered significant, and 3)
address heightened public concerns about access to voluntary vaccination.
The most important component of smallpox containment is the rapid
identification, isolation, and vaccination of close contacts of infected
patients and contacts of their contacts (i.e., ring vaccination). This
strategy involves identification of infected persons through intensive
surveillance, isolation of infected persons, vaccination of household
contacts and other close contacts of infected persons (i.e., primary
contacts), and vaccination of household and other potential contacts of the
primary contacts (i.e., secondary contacts).
The clinic guide will assist planning for larger-scale, post-event
vaccination when exposure circumstances indicate the need to supplement the
ring vaccination approach with broader protective measures. The clinic guide
describes the activities and staffing needs associated with large-scale
smallpox vaccination clinics, including suggested protocols for vaccine
safety monitoring and treatment. The clinic guide provides an example of a
model smallpox clinic and provides samples of pertinent clinic consent forms
and patient information sheets that would be used at a clinic.
The clinic guide and the Smallpox Response Plan and Guidelines, Version 3
are available at
http://www.cdc.gov/smallpox CDC will take additional steps to
increase preparedness to respond to a smallpox exposure of any magnitude,
including updates to the Smallpox Response Plan and Guidelines. Updates on
infection control, in-hospital isolation recommendations, post-event
vaccination protocols, and outbreak response strategies are under way and
will be posted on the CDC
website.
****************
To obtain the complete text of the article online, go to:
http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm5138a6.htm
To obtain a camera-ready (PDF format) copy of this issue of MMWR, go to:
http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/PDF/wk/mm5138.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 30, 2002
GAO REPORT EXAMINES ISSUES INVOLVED IN ENSURING AN ADEQUATE SUPPLY OF
CHILDHOOD VACCINES
On September 13, 2002, the U.S. Government Accounting Office (GAO) issued
"Childhood Vaccines: Ensuring an Adequate Supply Poses Continuing
Challenges."
The 43-page report answers three questions asked by the United States
Congress:
- To what extent have recent childhood
vaccine shortages affected immunization policies and programs?
- What factors have contributed to the
recent shortages, and have they been resolved?
- What strategies are federal agencies
considering to help mitigate disruptions in the vaccine supply?
For a camera-ready (PDF) copy of the report,
go to:
http://www.gao.gov/new.items/d02987.pdf
To order a free copy from GAO, call (202) 512-6000.
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September 30, 2002
ORDER NOW! IAC'S ADULT IMMUNIZATION RECORD CARDS WILL HELP YOUR PATIENTS
STAY UP-TO-DATE DURING FLU SEASON AND BEYOND
Since introducing its Adult Immunization Record Cards two months ago, the
Immunization Action Coalition (IAC) has shipped more than a half million
cards to health care providers across the United States. To give you an idea
of how popular the cards are, here are two example orders: The Michigan
Department of Community Health and a Pennsylvania health plan recently
ordered 100,000 cards and 61,000 cards, respectively.
If you haven't ordered your cards yet, you still have time before flu
vaccine administration season begins. It's a perfect opportunity to remind
adults that vaccines aren't just for kids. Once they see the vaccinations
listed on their cards, many will realize they are also due for a Td booster
or perhaps a pneumococcal shot.
Printed on smudge-proof, rip-proof, waterproof paper, the card is a way for
adult patients to keep track of their vaccination status for life. It comes
pre-folded to fit in a wallet, and its bright, canary-yellow color makes it
easy to spot among credit cards and other items.
The cost for one 250-count box is $25; two boxes (500 cards) cost $45; three
boxes (750 cards), $60;four boxes (1,000 cards), $70. Additional pricing for
larger quantities can be found on the online order form (see link below).
To view a color image of IAC's Adult Immunization Record Card, go to:
http://www.immunize.org/adultizcards/pictures.htm
To order IAC's Adult Immunization Record Cards online (including online with
a purchase order), go to:
https://www.immunize.org/adultizcards/index.htm
To print an order form to send with payment information by fax or mail, go
to:
https://www.immunize.org/adultizcards/izorder.pdf
If you have questions about IAC's Adult Immunization Record Cards, call us
at (651) 647-9009, or email us at
admin@immunize.org
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September 30, 2002
NEW! CDC'S WEB-BASED CHILDHOOD IMMUNIZATION SCHEDULER MAKES IT EASIER TO
KEEP TRACK OF VACCINATION DUE DATES
The task of helping a parent remember when a child is due for certain
vaccines has now become simpler. The Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention (CDC), through the National Immunization Program, recently
launched a web-based Childhood Immunization Scheduler for parents. It is
available in English and Spanish.
The scheduler can be used for any child five years of age or younger but is
especially useful for very young children, who may receive up to 20 shots in
the first two years of life.
Health professionals are encouraged to refer new parents to the scheduler so
they can make an individualized schedule for their child, using the child's
birth date and name. (In the interest of privacy, no entered data are
retained.)
The scheduler program is based on the current vaccine recommendations from
the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Academy of Family
Physicians, and the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices. The
program will be updated each time national immunization recommendations
change. Parents (and caregivers who provide these schedules for patients)
are advised, therefore, to make new schedules for children at least once a
year, or whenever childhood immunization recommendations are revised.
In addition, the scheduler has links to sites where parents can become more
informed about various immunization issues before their child's healthcare
visits.
To try out this exciting new childhood immunization tool from CDC yourself,
make up a birth date for an infant or toddler and go to:
http://www2.cdc.gov/nip/scheduler_le/default.asp
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September 30, 2002
MMWR PUBLISHES NOTICE OF EXPANSION OF ELIGIBILITY FOR INFLUENZA VACCINE
THROUGH THE VACCINES FOR CHILDREN PROGRAM
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) published a Notice to
Readers titled "Expansion of Eligibility for Influenza Vaccine Through the
Vaccines for Children Program" in the September 27, 2002, issue of the
Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR). The entire notice reads as
follows:
***************
On June 20, 2002, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP)
adopted a resolution expanding the group of children eligible for influenza
vaccine coverage under the Vaccines for Children (VFC) program. The
resolution extends VFC coverage for influenza vaccine to all VFC-eligible
children aged 6-23 months and VFC-eligible children aged 2-18 years who are
household contacts of children aged 2 years or less. The resolution becomes
effective on March 1, 2003, for vaccine to be administered during the
2003-04 influenza vaccination season and subsequent seasons. ACIP is
expanding VFC influenza coverage because children aged 23 months or less are
at substantially increased risk for influenza-related hospitalizations.
For the upcoming 2002-03 influenza season, no changes are being made to
groups of children eligible for influenza vaccine under the VFC program.
Children aged 6 months-18 years who are eligible for the VFC program and who
have a high-risk medical condition or are household members of a person at
high risk for complications may receive influenza vaccine through the
program. Groups of children with high-risk medical conditions include those
who 1) have chronic disorders of the pulmonary or cardiovascular systems,
including asthma; 2) have required medical follow-up or hospitalization
during the preceding year because of chronic metabolic diseases (including
diabetes mellitus), renal dysfunction, hemoglobinopathies, or
immunosuppression (including immunosuppression caused by medications); 3)
are receiving long-term aspirin therapy; 4) are residents of long-term care
facilities; and 5) are adolescent females in the second or third trimester
of pregnancy during the influenza season (typically November-March).
The availability of additional supplies of influenza vaccine through the VFC
program for the 2003-04 season will be based on anticipated need. VFC
providers should provide their state's vaccination program with accurate and
practical estimates of the number of VFC patients they plan to vaccinate.
Accurate estimates are essential to ensure an adequate supply of vaccine and
to avoid vaccine wastage.
ACIP recommendations for the 2002-03 influenza season are available at
http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/rr5103a1.htm
Information about the VFC program is available at
http://www.cdc.gov/nip/vfc/
The VFC Resolution for Influenza Vaccine (10/98-4) is available at
http://www.cdc.gov/nip/vfc/flu.pdf
****************
To obtain the complete text of the article online, go to:
http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm5138a7.htm
To obtain a camera-ready (PDF format) copy of this issue of MMWR, go to:
http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/PDF/wk/mm5138.pdf
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September 30, 2002
FDA APPROVES NEW TREATMENT FOR CHRONIC HEPATITIS B
On September 20, 2002, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued an
announcement about the approval of Hepsera (adefovir dipivoxil) tablets for
the treatment of chronic hepatitis B. Gilead Sciences, Inc., Foster City,
CA, developed the drug. The following information about the new license is
from the FDA website:
***************
September 20, 2002
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) today announced the approval of
Hepsera (adefovir dipivoxil) tablets for the treatment of chronic hepatitis
B in adults with evidence of active viral replication and either elevations
in serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) or aspartate aminotransferase (AST),
or histologically active disease.
Chronic hepatitis B is a serious disease caused by a virus that attacks the
liver. The virus, which is called hepatitis B virus (HBV), can cause
lifelong infection, cirrhosis (scarring) of the liver, liver cancer, liver
failure, and death. According to the Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention, approximately 1.25 million Americans are chronically HBV
infected.
Hepsera slows the progression of chronic hepatitis B by interfering with
viral replication and causing DNA chain termination after its incorporation
into viral DNA. . . .
**************
To read the complete FDA announcement, go to:
http://www.fda.gov/bbs/topics/ANSWERS/2002/ANS01163.html
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September 30, 2002
NEW! 2002-2003 INFLUENZA VIS NOW IN CHINESE, VIETNAMESE, HAITIAN CREOLE, AND
PORTUGUESE
The 2002-2003 Flu Vaccine Information Statement (VIS) is now available in
Chinese, Vietnamese, Haitian Creole, and Portuguese on the Immunization
Action Coalition (IAC) website. IAC gratefully acknowledges the California
Department of Health for providing the Chinese and Vietnamese VISs and the
Commonwealth of Massachusetts for providing the Haitian Creole and
Portuguese VISs.
To obtain a copy of the 2002-2003 influenza VIS in Chinese, go to:
http://www.immunize.org/vis/ch_flu02.pdf
To obtain a copy of the 2002-2003 influenza VIS in Vietnamese, go to:
http://www.immunize.org/vis/vn_flu02.pdf
To obtain a copy of the 2002-2003 influenza VIS in Haitian Creole, go to:
http://www.immunize.org/vis/ha_flu02.pdf
To obtain a copy of the 2002-2003 influenza VIS in Portuguese, go to:
http://www.immunize.org/vis/pr_flu02.pdf
To obtain a copy of the 2002-2003 influenza VIS in English, go to:
http://www.immunize.org/vis/2flu.pdf
For more information about the use of VISs and for VISs in a total of 28
languages, visit IAC's VIS web page at:
http://www.immunize.org/vis
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September 30, 2002
MMWR PUBLISHES NOTICE ABOUT UPCOMING NATIONAL ADULT IMMUNIZATION AWARENESS
WEEK
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) published a Notice to
Readers titled "National Adult Immunization Awareness Week, October 13-19,
2002" in the September 27, 2002, issue of the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly
Report (MMWR). The entire notice reads as follows:
****************
This year's National Adult Immunization Awareness Week (NAIAW) will be
October 13-19. NAIAW highlights the influenza vaccination season, which
typically begins in early fall of each year. NAIAW emphasizes the need for
health-care providers and public health officials to intensify their efforts
to vaccinate adults and adolescents according to recommendations of the
Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices. In addition to specifying the
appropriate use of influenza and pneumococcal vaccines for adults and
adolescents, the recommendations cover vaccination of adults and adolescents
against diphtheria, hepatitis A and B, measles, mumps, rubella, tetanus,
meningococcal disease, and varicella.
Information about NAIAW is available from the National Foundation for
Infectious Diseases, the National Coalition for Adult Immunization, and the
National Partnership for Immunization, 4733 Bethesda Avenue, Suite 750,
Bethesda, MD 20814; telephone, 301-656-0003; fax, 301-907-0878;e-mail,
ncai@nfid.org; and online at
http://www.nfid.org or
http://www.partnersforimmunization.org
Additional information about influenza, the influenza vaccine, and influenza
education materials is available at
http://www.cdc.gov/nip/flu
***************
To obtain the complete text of the article online, go to:
http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm5138a5.htm
To obtain a camera-ready (PDF format) copy of this issue of MMWR, go to:
http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/PDF/wk/mm5138.pdf
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September 30, 2002
FIFTH NATIONAL IMMUNIZATION COALITION CONFERENCE SET FOR MAY 28-30, 2003;
ABSTRACTS DUE NOVEMBER 1
The Fifth National Immunization Coalition Conference will take place in
Phoenix-Scottsdale, AZ, on May 28-30, 2003. It will offer sessions tailored
to local, state, and national coalitions, and address childhood, adolescent,
and adult immunization issues as they relate to coalition efforts.
For a copy of the conference brochure and information on submitting
abstracts, go to:
http://www.hsc.usf.edu/publichealth/conted/iz03.html
The deadline for submitting abstracts is November 1.
For questions about program or content, contact Debbie McCune Davis, Program
Director, at (602) 253-0090, ext. 234 or by email at
tapi@aachc.org
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September 30, 2002
PROVIDER ALERT! DATE FOR SUBMITTING YOUR PLAN FOR HIPAA COMPLIANCE IS
OCTOBER 15
Certain healthcare providers are required to be compliant with the
Transaction & Code Set Standards of the Health Insurance Portability &
Accountability Act (HIPAA). If you are one of these providers, you have two
choices: (1) become compliant with the act by October 16, or (2) submit your
plan for compliance by October 15 and get a one-year extension for becoming
compliant. By submitting your compliance plan by the October 15 deadline and
getting the one-year extension, you will have until October 16, 2003, to
become compliant.
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CME) is encouraging everyone
to submit their compliance plans now, and to implement and test the new
standards as soon as possible. CME states that electronic filing is fast and
easy, and a filer will know immediately that the extension has been
received.
To file electronically, go to:
http://www.cms.hhs.gov/hipaa/hipaa2/ascaform.asp
If you have questions, call the HIPAA Hotline at (866) 282-0659, or email
HIPPA at askhipaa@cms.hhs.gov
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