Issue
Number 403
August 4, 2003
CONTENTS OF THIS ISSUE
- AAP issues an erratum about epinephrine information published
in the "2003 Red Book"
- "Pediatrics" publishes a clinical report on immunization of
preterm and low birth weight infants
- Menomune is once again available in single-dose vials
- CDC announces the number of children receiving vaccines is at
an all time high
- Revised: National Immunization Program updates the
meningococcal VIS
- CDC seeks information on provider-based quality improvement
projects aimed at enhancing immunization delivery
- Revised: IAC updates "It's Federal Law!" health professional
information sheet about VISs
- CDC updates pneumococcal vaccination recommendations for
cochlear implant candidates and recipients
- CDC reports on vaccination coverage among Alaska Native
children and on other American Indian and Alaska Native health issues
- September 29 is deadline for abstracts for the 2004 National
STD Prevention Conference
- IAC adds new resources to its Hepatitis Prevention Programs
website
- WHO reports Angola vaccinated almost 5 million children
against polio
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August 4, 2003
AAP ISSUES AN ERRATUM ABOUT EPINEPHRINE INFORMATION PUBLISHED IN THE "2003
RED BOOK"
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recently issued an erratum
concerning Table 1.11 of the "2003 Red Book," soft cover and hard cover
editions. The table, titled "Epinephrine in the Treatment of
Anaphylaxis," appears on page 64. Previously the third sentence under the
heading "Intravenous administration" read "1 mg/kg or 0.01 mL/kg." It
now reads "0.01 mg/kg or 0.1 mL/kg."
Links to the erratum (below) are open access, so "Red Book" users do not
need a subscription to "Red Book Online" to see them.
To access the complete text of the erratum from "Red Book Online," go to:
http://aapredbook.aappublications.org/cgi/content/full/2003/1/E1
To access a camera-ready (PDF) version of the erratum, go to:
http://aapredbook.aappublications.org/cgi/content/full/2003/1/DC1
For information about ordering the "Red Book," go to:
http://www.AAP.org/bst/showprod.cfm?&DID=15&CATID=132&ObjectGroup_ID=790
or phone (866) 843-2271.
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August 4, 2003
"PEDIATRICS" PUBLISHES A CLINICAL REPORT ON IMMUNIZATION OF PRETERM AND LOW
BIRTH WEIGHT INFANTS
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) published a clinical report,
"Immunization of Preterm and Low Birth Weight Infants," in the July issue of
the journal "Pediatrics." Written by Thomas N. Saari, MD, and the academy's
Committee on Infectious Diseases, the report offers guidance to clinicians
providing pediatric care. The report abstract is reprinted below in its
entirety.
*************************
ABSTRACT
Preterm (PT) infants are at increased risk of experiencing complications of
vaccine-preventable diseases but are less likely to receive immunizations on
time. Medically stable PT and low birth weight (LBW) infants should receive
full doses of diphtheria, tetanus, acellular pertussis, Haemophilus
influenzae type b, hepatitis B, poliovirus, and pneumococcal conjugate
vaccines at a chronologic age consistent with the schedule recommended
for full-term infants. Infants with birth weight less than 2000 g may
require modification of the timing of hepatitis B immunoprophylaxis
depending on maternal hepatitis B surface antigen status. All PT and LBW
infants benefit from receiving influenza vaccine beginning at 6 months
of age before the beginning of and during the influenza season. All vaccines
routinely recommended during infancy are safe for use in PT and LBW infants.
The occurrence of mild vaccine-attributable adverse events are similar in
both full-term and PT vaccine recipients. Although the immunogenicity of
some childhood vaccines may be decreased in the smallest PT infants,
antibody concentrations achieved usually are protective.
*************************
To access the abstract from the AAP website, go to:
http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/cgi/content/abstract/112/1/193
To access the complete article, go to:
http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/cgi/content/full/112/1/193
To access a camera-ready (PDF) version of the article, go to:
http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/cgi/reprint/112/1/193.pdf
To access a variety of immunization information from AAP's Childhood
Immunization Support Program website, go to:
http://www.cispimmunize.org
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August 4, 2003
MENOMUNE IS ONCE AGAIN AVAILABLE IN SINGLE-DOSE VIALS
Aventis Pasteur recently informed the Immunization Action Coalition that as
of June 16 the company began shipping single-dose vials of Menomune
(meningococcal vaccine) to its customers once again. Since October 2002,
only 10-dose vials have been available. For more information, contact
Aventis Pasteur at
http://www.vaccineshoppe.com or call (800) 822-2463.
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August 4, 2003
CDC ANNOUNCES THE NUMBER OF CHILDREN RECEIVING VACCINES IS AT AN ALL TIME
HIGH
On July 31, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued a
press release titled "More U.S. Children Are Getting Their Shots." It is
reprinted below in its entirety:
**************************
Press Release
More U.S. Children Are Getting Their Shots
July 31, 2003
The number of children in the nation receiving immunizations remains at an
all time high, with significant increases in the coverage rates for
varicella (chickenpox) and pnuemococcal conjugate vaccine, two of the
most recent additions to the childhood immunization schedule. However, wide
variations exist among states and among some urban areas.
The findings were reported today by the Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention (CDC), an agency within the U.S. Department of Health and Human
Services (HHS). The news conference, sponsored by the National
Partnership for Immunization (NPI), served to kick off August as National
Immunization Awareness Month.
"Vaccines are one of the most important tools we have to protect the health
of our nation's most vulnerable citizens, our children," said HHS Secretary
Tommy G. Thompson. "These results demonstrate our nation's ability to reach
high immunization coverage rates. The President and HHS remain committed to
ensuring that our children continue to get the vaccines they need for a
healthy start in life."
CDC reports that coverage for three or more doses of pnuemococcal conjugate
vaccine, being reported for the first time, was 40.9 percent. Pnuemococcal
conjugate vaccine can help prevent serious pnuemococcal disease. Invasive
pnuemococcal disease is responsible for about 200 deaths each year among
children under 5-years old. Vaccines are among the most successful and
cost-effective public health tools for preventing disease and death. Because
of nationwide immunization efforts, the number of most vaccine-preventable
diseases has been reduced by more than 99 percent since the implementation
of immunization programs.
"We are pleased with the progress we're making in regards to immunization
rates in the United States," said CDC Director Dr. Julie Gerberding.
"However, we have more work to do to make sure our nation's children are
protected. The consequences from vaccine-preventable disease to even one
child is an unnecessary human tragedy."
National vaccination coverage with chickenpox vaccine increased from 76.3
percent in 2001 to 80.6 percent in 2002. For all other vaccines, coverage
remained steady compared to 2001.
This year, coverage also is reported for the first time for the immunization
series that includes four doses of DTaP, three doses of polio vaccine, one
dose of measles containing vaccine, three doses of Hib vaccine, three doses
of hepatitis B vaccine and one dose of varicella vaccine (known as the
4:3:1:3:3:1 series). Coverage in 2002 for the series increased to 65.5
percent compared to 54.1 percent in 2000 and 61.3 percent in 2001.
The estimated coverage with the same series, minus the one dose of varicella
vaccine, ranged from 86.2 percent in Massachusetts to 62.7 percent in
Colorado, a difference of 23.5 percentage points. Variations among urban
areas was slightly less than among the states. Among the 28 identified urban
areas, the highest estimated coverage for the series that did not include
the chicken pox vaccine was 79.3 percent in Santa Clara County, California,
with the lowest rate at 57.5 percent in Newark, New Jersey, a difference of
21.8 percentage points.
"Unfortunately, immunization coverage is not uniformly high across the
country," said Dr. Walter A. Orenstein, director of the CDC National
Immunization Program (NIP). "There is a substantial variation in coverage
levels between various states and cities. Eliminating the disparity between
those with the highest and lowest coverage remains a priority. We need the
public health community and private providers in areas of low coverage rates
to intensify their efforts."
**************************
To access the press release from the CDC website, go to:
http://www.cdc.gov/od/oc/media/pressrel/r030731.htm
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August 4, 2003
REVISED: NATIONAL IMMUNIZATION PROGRAM UPDATES THE MENINGOCOCCAL VIS
On July 28, the National Immunization Program, Centers for Disease Control
and Prevention (CDC), published a revised Vaccine Information Statement (VIS)
for meningococcal vaccine. One change, which occurs in the fourth paragraph
of Part 1, makes the description of the serotypes included in the vaccine
less open to interpretation and more relevant for travelers. Another change
was the addition of the CDC Travelers Health website address to the second
page.
To access a camera-ready (PDF) version of the new meningococcal VIS from the
CDC website, go to:
http://www.cdc.gov/nip/publications/VIS/vis-mening.pdf
For information about the use of VISs, as well as VISs for additional
vaccines (some in up to 28 languages), visit the Immunization Action
Coalition website at:
http://www.immunize.org/vis
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August 4, 2003
CDC SEEKS INFORMATION ON PROVIDER-BASED QUALITY IMPROVEMENT
PROJECTS AIMED AT ENHANCING IMMUNIZATION DELIVERY
Recently the National Immunization Program, Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention (CDC), requested that the Immunization
Action Coalition publicize the following message.
***************************
CDC's National Immunization Program (NIP) is collecting
information on provider-based quality improvement projects that
have been implemented in provider offices to improve
immunization delivery. The projects identified will be
considered for inclusion in a Symposium on Education and Quality
Improvement Programs to be held in Atlanta on October 22-23,
2003. The symposium will provide an opportunity to learn more
about practice-based interventions that may improve immunization
and other prevention services in all age groups. The proceedings
of the meeting will be published and successful strategies will
be promoted to our immunization grantees.
We need your help to identify individuals or organizations who
are actively involved in providing or coordinating provider
intervention activities. Please disseminate the attached
Information Questionnaire to your membership and others who may
be involved in practice-based quality improvement efforts. Interested parties should complete the questionnaire and return
it to CDC by August 15, 2003 (instructions are provided on the
form).
Please address questions to Ken Anderson at 404-639-8550 or
kna1@cdc.gov We appreciate your assistance in this important
public health matter.
***************************
To access a camera-ready (PDF) copy of the questionnaire, go to:
http://www.immunize.org/cdc/imcollectionform.pdf
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August 4, 2003
REVISED: IAC UPDATES "IT'S FEDERAL LAW!" HEALTH PROFESSIONAL
INFORMATION SHEET ABOUT VISs
The Immunization Action Coalition (IAC) recently revised the
one-page health professional education sheet "It's Federal Law!
You Must Give Your Patients Current Vaccine Information
Statements (VISs)." The piece was originally written by
Neal A. Halsey, MD, Director, Institute for Vaccine Safety,
Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. IAC updates it
periodically.
IAC made five revisions--two were additions, and three were
changes. In the section headed "Most current versions of VISs,"
information about the smallpox and yellow fever VISs was added.
In the same section, the date for the influenza VIS was changed
to 5/6/03, the date for the anthrax VIS was changed to 4/24/03
and the date for the meningococcal VIS was changed to 7/28/03.
To access the revised piece in camera-ready (PDF) format, go to:
http://www.immunize.org/catg.d/2027law.pdf
To access it in HTML, go to:
http://www.immunize.org/catg.d/2027law.htm
To access VIS information and VISs from the website of the
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, go to:
http://www.cdc.gov/nip/publications/VIS/default.htm
For information about the use of VISs and for VISs in up to
28 languages, visit the IAC website at
http://www.immunize.org/vis
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August 4, 2003
CDC UPDATES PNEUMOCOCCAL VACCINATION RECOMMENDATIONS FOR
COCHLEAR IMPLANT CANDIDATES AND RECIPIENTS
On July 31, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
published "Pneumococcal Vaccination for Cochlear Implant
Candidates and Recipients: Updated Recommendations of the
Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices" as an "MMWR Early
Release." The current recommendations update those last made by
CDC in October 2002.
The CDC publishes "MMWR Early Release" electronically for the
immediate release of important public health information. It
will be available in hard-copy format in the future.
To access the recommendations from the CDC website, go to:
http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/m2e731a1.htm
To access a camera-ready (PDF) version of the recommendations,
go to: http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/pdf/wk/m2e731.pdf
To access a press release on the cochlear implant
recommendations from the CDC website, go to:
http://www.cdc.gov/od/oc/media/pressrel/r030730.htm
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August 4, 2003
CDC REPORTS ON VACCINATION COVERAGE AMONG ALASKA NATIVE CHILDREN
AND ON OTHER AMERICAN INDIAN AND ALASKA NATIVE HEALTH ISSUES
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) published
"Vaccination Coverage Levels Among Alaska Native Children Aged
19-35 Months--National Immunization Survey, United States,
2000-2001" in the August 1 issue of the "Morbidity and Mortality
Weekly Report" (MMWR). The majority of the August 1 issue focuses on describing health
disparities for four preventable health conditions--injuries,
diabetes, cancer, and bronchiolitis--among American Indians and
Alaska Natives. In addition, CDC issued a surveillance summary,
"Surveillance for Health Behaviors of American Indians and
Alaska Natives: Findings from the Behavioral Risk Factor
Surveillance System, 1997-2000," on August 1. Links to the
entire MMWR issue and to the CDC surveillance summary appear at
the end of this article.
A summary of the vaccination article made available to the press
is reprinted below in its entirety.
************************
Immunization coverage among Alaska Native children is high.
This report indicates that Alaska Native (AN) children aged
19–35 months have a high level of vaccination coverage that
exceeds the national goal for 2010 of 90% for all vaccines
except varicella and the fourth dose of DTP. This achievement,
despite the presence of barriers to vaccination, demonstrates
the commitment of AN communities, tribal corporations, and state
public health to address health concerns and exemplifies the
effectiveness of using multiple strategies (e.g., reducing
financial and access barriers, making vaccination a priority,
using collaborative efforts, tracking and recall, assessment,
and registries).
************************
Links to the August 1 MMWR:
To obtain the complete text of the vaccination article online,
go to:
http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm5230a6.htm
To obtain a camera-ready (PDF format) copy of this issue of
MMWR, go to:
http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/PDF/wk/mm5230.pdf
Links to the August 1 CDC surveillance summary:
To obtain the complete text of the surveillance summary, go to:
http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/ss5207a1.htm
To obtain a camera-ready (PDF format) copy of the surveillance
summary, go to:
http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/PDF/ss/ss5207.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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August 4, 2003
SEPTEMBER 29 IS DEADLINE FOR ABSTRACTS FOR THE 2004 NATIONAL
STD PREVENTION CONFERENCE
[The following is cross posted from the Immunization Action
Coalition's "HEP EXPRESS" electronic newsletter, 7/30/03.]
The 2004 National STD Prevention Conference will be held
March 8-11, 2004, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Planning
Committee welcomes submission of abstracts for oral
presentations, poster sessions, pre-organized symposia, and
skills-building workshops that focus on the broad spectrum of
critical issues in the field of STD prevention and related
fields. The abstract submission deadline is September 29, 2003.
The conference's title, "Sharing Successes and Strategies During
an Era of Uncertainty," succinctly describes the goal of the
meeting: to identify practical strategies for countering an STD
epidemic in a time of shrinking resources and political
challenge. The conference is co-sponsored by the Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention, the American STD Association,
the National Coalition of STD Directors, and the American Social
Health Association.
For more information about the conference, please visit
http://www.stdconference.org Persons interested in submitting
an abstract can do so online by clicking on the "Call for
Abstracts" button.
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August 4, 2003
IAC ADDS NEW RESOURCES TO ITS HEPATITIS PREVENTION PROGRAMS
WEBSITE
[The following is cross posted from the Immunization Action
Coalition's "HEP EXPRESS" electronic newsletter, 7/30/03.]
The Immunization Action Coalition (IAC) recently made several
improvements to its Hepatitis Prevention Programs website.
First, two new projects were added to the Model Programs
section:
Indiana State Department of Health
Hepatitis Education in a Juvenile Correctional Setting
http://www.hepprograms.org/juven/juven8.asp
Springfield Department of Public Health Confidential Clinic
http://www.hepprograms.org/std/std11.asp
Second, links were added to the home page to aid visitors
searching online for basic information about viral hepatitis.
These links direct visitors to the following topic pages on
IAC's main website: Hepatitis B Information, Hepatitis A
Information, Health Care Workers, Birth Dose of Hepatitis B
Vaccine, Tattooing and Body Piercing, Needle Safety,
International Adoption, Travel Vaccines, and Dialysis.
Third, the title of the "Drug treatment/needle exchange"
category was changed to "Harm reduction" to better reflect the
focus of these programs.
In addition, every week more relevant journal articles and
abstracts are added to the site. Please visit
http:///www.hepprograms.org often to read the latest news and
check out all the great work your colleagues are doing!
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August 4, 2003
WHO REPORTS ANGOLA VACCINATED ALMOST 5 MILLION CHILDREN
AGAINST POLIO
On July 29, the World Health Organization (WHO) issued a press
release announcing plans to step up the global effort to
eradicate polio and praised Angola's three-day (July 25-27)
polio immunization campaign, during which almost 5 million
children were vaccinated. The campaign was the first to reach
the entire nation; in the past, armed conflict impeded
nationwide immunization efforts. The second stage of the
national vaccination campaign will take place August 29-31.
Looking to global eradication of the disease, WHO reported that
from the end of August to December, key endemic countries will
conduct mass immunization campaigns aimed at reaching
175 million children. Ridding the world of polio depends on
conducting successful campaigns in India, Nigeria, Pakistan, and
Egypt, which together account for 99 percent of new cases. Other
countries with indigenous wild poliovirus include Afghanistan,
Niger, and Somalia.
To access the press release from the WHO website, go to:
http://www.who.int/mediacentre/releases/2003/pr60/en
To access a related press release from the website of the
electronic news service AllAfrica.com, go to:
http://allafrica.com/stories/200307280999.html
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