Issue
Number 384
May 12, 2003
CONTENTS OF THIS ISSUE
- Attention adult medicine specialists: Spring 2003 issue of
"Vaccinate Adults!" is available now
- April "Immunization Works!" gives providers ideas for talking
with vaccine-hesitant parents
- CMS releases new Medicare payment rates for administering
influenza, pneumococcal, and hepatitis B vaccines
- New on the Web: The Sabin Vaccine Institute posts white paper
on global vaccine shortage
- Hepatitis B Foundation re-launches website
- After six months and almost 1,200 deaths, Burkina Faso's
meningitis epidemic eases
- 2003 National HIV Prevention Conference to take place in
Atlanta on July 27-30
- Illinois Immunization and Communicable Disease Conference set
for July 14-16
- CDC notifies readers about special Mother's Day supplement to
"Pediatrics"
- CDC publishes an update of smallpox vaccine adverse events
surveillance
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May 12, 2003
ATTENTION ADULT MEDICINE SPECIALISTS: SPRING 2003 ISSUE OF "VACCINATE
ADULTS!" IS AVAILABLE NOW
In the next week or two, start checking your mailbox for your hard copy of
the new "VACCINATE ADULTS!" In the meantime, you can print a copy of it from
the website of the Immunization Action Coalition (IAC). With the exception
of editorials, each article and education piece in this 12-page issue has
been reviewed for accuracy by immunization specialists at the federal
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Tailored to the practical needs of health professionals who routinely
vaccinate adults, the new issue has a Q&A feature--"Ask the Experts"--that
answers complex and timely immunization questions. "Vaccine Highlights" and
"Recommended Adult Immunization Schedule, United States, 2002-2003" will
keep health professionals current about recommendations, schedules, and
more. Use the one-page professional education sheet "Don't Be Guilty of
These Errors in Vaccine Storage and Handling" to assess your storage and
handling procedures and correct any deficiencies you find.
HOW TO READ "VACCINATE ADULTS!" ON THE WEB
You can download the entire issue from the web or view selected articles
from the table of contents below.
To view the table of contents with links to individual articles, go to:
http://www.immunize.org/va
Please note: The PDF file of the entire
spring 2003 issue,
linked below, is large at 325,678 bytes. Some printers cannot
print such a large file. For tips on downloading and printing
PDF files, go to: http://www.immunize.org/nslt.d/tips.htm
To download the entire PDF version of the spring 2003 issue, go
to:
http://www.immunize.org/va/va10.pdf
Here are summaries of "VACCINATE ADULTS!" articles and
professional education pieces, followed by URLs.
- "Ask the Experts"
CDC immunization expert William Atkinson, MD, MPH, and
viral hepatitis experts Harold Margolis, MD, and Linda
Moyer, RN, answer readers' questions.
HTML: http://www.immunize.org/va/va10exprt.htm
PDF: http://www.immunize.org/va/va10exprt.pdf
- "Vaccine Highlights"
A digest of recent recommendations and news about vaccines.
HTML: http://www.immunize.org/va/va10vac.htm
PDF: http://www.immunize.org/va/va10vac.pdf
- "IAC Welcomes Advisory Board Liaisons"
IAC introduces readers to seven new Advisory Board liaisons
representing professional and international organizations,
as well as the federal government.
HTML: http://www.immunize.org/genr.d/advbd.htm
PDF: http://www.immunize.org/va/va10adv.pdf
- "Recommended Adult Immunization Schedule, United States,
2002-2003," "Footnotes for Recommended Adult Immunization
Schedule, United States, 2002-2003," and "Recommended
Immunizations for Adults with Medical Conditions, United
States, 2002-2003."
Issued in October 2002, these materials
are condensed to three pages for easy reference and easy
copying.
PDF: http://www.immunize.org/nslt.d/n27/scdadult.pdf
- "Vaccine Administration Record for Adults"
Updated in April, this hands-on record presents a clear
approach to documenting the administration of vaccines,
including combination vaccines.
HTML: http://www.immunize.org/catg.d/p2023b.htm
PDF: http://www.immunize.org/catg.d/p2023b.pdf
- "Don't Be Guilty of These Errors in Vaccine Storage and
Handling"
This newly created one-page sheet succinctly explains ten
commonly reported errors in vaccine storage and handling
and presents suggestions for correcting each.
HTML: http://www.immunize.org/catg.d/p3036.htm
PDF: http://www.immunize.org/catg.d/p3036.pdf
- "Check Your State's Rates"
This chart shows influenza and pneumococcal immunization
rates by state for adults 65 years of age and older.
HTML: http://www.immunize.org/va/va10check.htm
PDF: http://www.immunize.org/va/va10check.pdf
- "Coalition Catalog: Adult Resources"
Order materials for patients and clinic staff here.
PDF: http://www.immunize.org/va/catalog.pdf
- "Protect Your Patients: Three Timely Suggestions"
IAC's Executive Director, Deborah L. Wexler, MD, presents
a three-pronged approach for reducing disease by increasing
adult influenza immunization rates in clinics and practices
nationwide.
HTML: http://www.immunize.org/va/va10back.htm
PDF: http://www.immunize.org/va/va10back.pdf
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May 12, 2003
APRIL "IMMUNIZATION WORKS!" GIVES PROVIDERS IDEAS FOR WORKING
WITH VACCINE-HESITANT PARENTS
The April issue of "Immunization Works!" an email newsletter
published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
(CDC), has an article for providers on communicating with
parents who question vaccines.
Based on a CDC Provider's Guide titled "Helping Parents Who
Question Vaccines," the article presents ideas on the following:
questioning, respecting and addressing concerns, educating about
responsibilities, exploring acceptable options, and keeping
communication open.
In addition to the section on communication, the Provider's
Guide has three other sections: (1) Concerns about Unimmunized
Children in My Practice, (2) Child Care and School Requirements,
and (3) For More Information.
To access the complete Provider's Guide from the CDC website, go
to:
http://www.cdc.gov/nip/vacsafe/parents-question-vacc-hcp.htm
To access the April issue of "Immunization Works!" from the
Immunization Action Coalition website, go to:
http://www.immunize.org/news.d/news403.htm
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May 12, 2003
CMS RELEASES NEW MEDICARE PAYMENT RATES FOR ADMINISTERING
INFLUENZA, PNEUMOCOCCAL, AND HEPATITIS B VACCINES
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) recently
released the "2003 Administration Rate Allowances" for
influenza, pneumococcal, and hepatitis B vaccines. The rates
went into effect March 1.
This year's administration rates average 94 percent higher than
last year's. The average rate in 2002 was $3.98; the average
rate for 2003 is $7.72. This rate reflects the cost of vaccine
administration, not reimbursement for the cost of the vaccine.
The payment rate for influenza vaccine has not yet been
determined and will probably not be available until early fall.
To access a camera-ready (PDF) copy of the rate allowances from
the website of the Immunization Action Coalition, go to:
http://www.immunize.org/influenza/allowances.pdf
For more information, go to the CMS website at
http://cms.hhs.gov/preventiveservices/2.asp
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May 12, 2003
NEW ON THE WEB: THE SABIN VACCINE INSTITUTE POSTS WHITE PAPER ON
GLOBAL VACCINE SHORTAGE
The Sabin Vaccine Institute (SVI) has posted its most recent
white paper, "Global Vaccine Shortage: The Threat to Children
and What To Do About It," on its website. The 12-page document
summarizes key points discussed at the Ninth Annual Vaccine
Colloquium held October 2002 in Cold Spring Harbor, Long Island,
NY. Colloquium participants included leaders from academia,
government, industry, and philanthropy.
The white paper summarizes strategies to solve vaccine supply
shortages and discusses issues that affect the vaccine market.
The paper also lists the task forces and task-force goals
established by participants and presents participants'
individual recommendations.
To access a camera-ready (PDF) copy of the white paper from the
SVI website, go to:
http://www.sabin.org/PDF/pub_globalshortage.pdf
To access the SVI homepage, go to: http://www.sabin.org
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May 12, 2003
HEPATITIS B FOUNDATION RE-LAUNCHES WEBSITE
In mid-April, the Hepatitis B Foundation re-launched its website
with a new user-friendly design and more information than
before. The upgrade is intended to help the foundation deliver
the most current news about prevention, management, and
treatment of hepatitis B to its audience of patients, families,
health care professionals, and researchers in 56 countries
worldwide.
Because hepatitis B is particularly prevalent in Asia and in
Asian communities outside of Asia, the foundation made sure the
updated site offers information in Asian languages. Sub-sites in
Chinese, Korean, and Vietnamese are currently available. The
foundation plans to add materials in additional languages in the
future.
Other highlights of the website include a Drug Watch of approved
compounds and those in development, information on clinical
trials for hepatitis B, a bookstore, links to the foundation's
free printable literature and newsletter, and links to other
valuable hepatitis resources.
To access the website, go to: http://www.hepb.org
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May 12, 2003
AFTER SIX MONTHS AND ALMOST 1,200 DEATHS, BURKINA FASO'S
MENINGITIS EPIDEMIC EASES
On May 2, health officials in Burkina Faso reported that none of
the country's 53 districts was experiencing meningitis in
epidemic proportions (at least 10 cases per 100,000
inhabitants). The number of new cases recorded nationwide has
declined from 441 a week to 291. Two million doses of vaccine,
obtained through the World Health Organization (WHO), helped
contain the epidemic.
Of the 7,846 people reported to have contracted the disease
since October 2002, 1184 (15 percent) have died. Located in the
African meningitis belt, Burkina Faso suffers outbreaks of the
disease each year during the dry season.
To access a press release about the epidemic from the AllAfrica
website, go to:
http://allafrica.com/stories/printable/200305020235.html
To access additional information from the WHO website, go to:
http://www.who.int/csr/don/2003_05_02/en
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May 12, 2003
2003 NATIONAL HIV PREVENTION CONFERENCE TO TAKE PLACE IN ATLANTA
ON JULY 27-30
Scheduled for July 27-30 in Atlanta, the 2003 National HIV
Prevention Conference will bring together governmental and non-governmental organizations at all levels to implement, evaluate,
disseminate, and further develop and strengthen effective HIV
prevention efforts nationwide.
The conference has two goals: (1) to share effective prevention
approaches and research findings among governmental, community,
and academic partners in HIV prevention and (2) to strengthen
collaborations between program practitioners and researchers in
areas including behavioral interventions, vaccine development,
epidemic monitoring, development of rapid and reliable
diagnostic tests, and improved access to early HIV treatment.
For information on all aspects of the conference, go to:
http://www.2003hivprevconf.org or call (866) 277-6313.
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May 12, 2003
ILLINOIS IMMUNIZATION AND COMMUNICABLE DISEASE CONFERENCE SET
FOR JULY 14-16
The annual Illinois Immunization and Communicable Disease
Conference, including the Downstate Illinois Bioterrorism
Summit, will be held July 14-16 in Springfield, IL.
For additional information, contact the Illinois Public Health
Association at (217) 522-5686 (phone); (217) 522-5689 (fax); or
bakerjo2001@yahoo.com (email).
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May 12, 2003
CDC NOTIFIES READERS ABOUT SPECIAL MOTHER'S DAY SUPPLEMENT TO
"PEDIATRICS"
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) published a
Notice to Readers, "Special Mother's Day Issue of 'Pediatrics',"
in the May 9 issue of the "Morbidity and Mortality Weekly
Report" (MMWR). The supplement, which includes a section on
immunization, takes a multidisciplinary approach to improving
maternal and child health. The notice is reprinted below in its
entirety.
************************
The May supplement to the journal "Pediatrics" entitled
"Maternal Influences on Child Health: Pre-conception, Prenatal,
and Early Childhood" focuses on how mothers can influence their
children's health before, during, and after pregnancy. Sponsored
by CDC, the supplement takes a multidisciplinary approach to
improving maternal and child health, highlighting research that
relates to obstetrics and pediatrics. Topics include
immunization, birth defects, developmental disabilities,
reproductive health, human immunodeficiency virus/acquired
immunodeficiency syndrome, injury control, chronic disease,
nutrition, health education, and psychology.
The supplement should be informative for a wide audience,
including pediatricians, obstetricians, public health
researchers, and the general public. Abstracts of articles in
this supplement are available at http://www.pediatrics.org
Additional information about the issue is available from CDC,
telephone (404) 639-8165, email ecl7@cdc.gov
************************
To obtain the complete text of the article online, go to:
http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm5218a7.htm
To obtain a camera-ready (PDF format) copy of this issue of
MMWR, go to: http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/PDF/wk/mm5218.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 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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May 12, 2003
CDC PUBLISHES AN UPDATE OF SMALLPOX VACCINE ADVERSE EVENTS
SURVEILLANCE
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) published
"Update: Adverse Events Following Civilian Smallpox
Vaccination--United States, 2003" in the May 9 issue of the
"Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report" (MMWR). It includes
reports of four new or reclassified cases or myopericarditis and
one new case each of acute myocardial infarction and inadvertent
inoculation. Excerpts from the report are reprinted below.
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During January 24-April 25, 2003, smallpox vaccine was
administered to 34,541 civilian health-care and public health
workers in 54 jurisdictions to prepare the United States for a
possible terrorist attack using smallpox virus. This report
updates information on vaccine-associated adverse events among
civilians vaccinated since the beginning of the program and
among contacts of vaccinees, received by CDC from the Vaccine
Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS) as of April 25. . . .
As of April 25, a total of 15 cases of myopericarditis have been
reported; four new or reclassified cases were recorded during
April 19-25. One new case of acute myocardial infarction (MI)
was also reported.
During April 19-15, one new case of inadvertent inoculation
(nonocular) was reported. . . .
During April 19-25, in addition to MI, nine other serious
adverse events were reported: one case of respiratory distress,
one case of coronary artery disease, one case of angina, one
case of persistent fatigue, one case of premature ventricular
contractions, and four cases of headache. . . .
Surveillance for adverse events during the civilian and military
smallpox vaccination programs is ongoing; regular surveillance
reports will be published in MMWR.
************************
To obtain the complete text of the report online, go to:
http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm5218a5.htm
To obtain a camera-ready (PDF format) copy of this issue of
MMWR, go to: http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/PDF/wk/mm5218.pdf
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