Issue
Number 415
October 6, 2003
CONTENTS OF THIS ISSUE
- National health officials urge influenza and pneumococcal
vaccination at NFID/NCAI press conference
- Stephen L. Cochi, MD, MPH, named deputy director of CDC's
National Immunization Program
- "Immunization Techniques" video will update your staff's
vaccine administration skills for flu vaccination season
- IAC adds "MSM Vaccination" page to its website
- CDC offers new resources for preventing hepatitis A at
concerts and festivals
- CDC adds vaccine manufacturers' current phone numbers to its
emergency procedures for protecting vaccine inventories
- New: Bilingual video and DVD explain the inactivated influenza
VIS to English- and Spanish-speaking patients
- New: IAC website posts new VIS translations for inactivated
influenza vaccine and meningococcal vaccine
- CDC notifies readers about SARS and the use of influenza
vaccine
- CDC reports on incidence of cardiac deaths following 1947 New
York City smallpox vaccination campaign
- CDC reports on investigation of deaths among U.S. postal
service workers potentially exposed to bacillus anthracis
- Rescheduled: October 23 is the new date for "Vaccinate Before
You Graduate" adolescent immunization broadcast
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October 6, 2003
NATIONAL HEALTH OFFICIALS URGE INFLUENZA AND PNEUMOCOCCAL VACCINATION AT
NFID/NCAI PRESS CONFERENCE
At a press conference held in Washington, DC, September 23, Dr. Julie
Gerberding, director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and
other national health officials urged immunization against influenza this
fall. They also encouraged those 65 years and older and in certain risk
groups to be immunized against pneumococcal disease.
Health officials fear the mild influenza seasons of the last two years may
cause people to become complacent about protecting themselves against
influenza this year. The National Foundation for Infectious Diseases (NFID)
and the National Coalition for Adult Immunization (NCAI) organized the press
conference.
To access a camera-ready (PDF) copy of the complete press release, go
to:
http://www.connectlive.com/events/infectiousdiseases/RELEASE%20FINAL2.pdf
To access an archived video webcast of the press conference, go to:
http://www.connectlive.com/events/infectiousdiseases
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October 6, 2003
STEPHEN L. COCHI, MD, MPH, NAMED DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF CDC's NATIONAL
IMMUNIZATION PROGRAM
On September 29, Walter Orenstein, MD, director, National Immunization
Program, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, announced that Stephen
L. Cochi, MD, MPH, accepted the position of deputy director of the National
Immunization Program. Dr. Cochi received his medical degree from Duke
University and his public health degree from Emory University. Board
certified in pediatrics and preventive medicine, he joined the National
Center for Prevention Services, Division of Immunization in 1985.
Dr. Cochi is a fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics and the
Infectious Diseases Society of America and a member of the American Public
Health Association. He has received many CDC and U.S. Public Health Service
(USPHS) honors and awards, including the USPHS Commendation Medal,
Outstanding Service Medal, and Distinguished Service Medal. In addition, he
received the Philip R. Horne Award, the highest award for a National
Immunization Program employee, and was co-recipient of two Charles C.
Shepard Science Awards; he also received the Emory School of Public Health's
Second Annual Distinguished Alumni Achievement Award.
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October 6, 2003
"IMMUNIZATION TECHNIQUES" VIDEO WILL UPDATE YOUR STAFF'S VACCINE
ADMINISTRATION SKILLS FOR FLU VACCINATION SEASON
With influenza vaccine plentiful for the 2003-04 influenza vaccination
season, we can all hope that record numbers of people will show up for flu
vaccine. The question is, is your staff ready for them?
You can ensure your staff has expertise in giving influenza vaccine
injections by ordering and showing them the video "Immunization Techniques:
Safe, Effective, Caring." The video offers practical information on
immunizing everyone from infants to senior citizens against this potentially
serious and contagious disease, as well as against all vaccine-preventable
diseases.
The video is such a high-quality, cost-effective immunization-training tool
that health professionals across the nation have ordered more than 8,500
copies of it from the Immunization Action Coalition (IAC) since September
2001, when IAC first offered it.
Developed by the California Department of Health Services Immunization
Branch and a team of national experts, the 35-minute video is designed for
use as a "hands-on" instructional program. It can be used to train new staff
and to provide a refresher course for experienced staff who administer
vaccines.
It teaches best practices for administering intramuscular (IM) and
subcutaneous (SC) vaccines to infants, children, and adults and discusses
the following:
- Anatomic sites
- Choice of needle size
- Vaccines and routes of administration
- How to "draw up" doses of vaccine from a
vial
The video comes with presenter's notes that
include instructional objectives, pre- and post-tests, photos showing
vaccination sites appropriate for vaccinating people of different ages, and
a skills checklist to help you document that your staff is well trained.
IAC distributes the video and presenter's notes at $25 per set (to U.S.
addresses). If you wish to order online (U.S. addresses only), go to:
https://www.immunize.org/iztech
To order by mail or fax, print and fill out an IAC order form,
available at http://www.immunize.org/catg.d/2020a.pdf
Mail your order payment (check, credit card information, or
purchase order) to Immunization Action Coalition, 1573 Selby
Ave., Ste. 234, St. Paul, MN 55104, and include your complete
mailing information and phone number. Or fax your order form
with payment information to IAC at (651) 647-9131. If you are
placing an order from outside the United States, please call IAC
at (651) 647-9009 for shipping cost information or email us at
admin@immunize.org
A Spanish-language version of the video is available through the
California Distance Learning Health Network (CDLHN) for $25. To
order, call (619) 594-3348, email info@cdlhn.com or visit CDLHN
online at http://www.cdlhn.com
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October 6, 2003
IAC ADDS "MSM VACCINATION" PAGE TO ITS WEBSITE
[The following is cross posted from the Immunization Action
Coalition's "HEP EXPRESS" electronic newsletter, 10/3/03.]
The Immunization Action Coalition (IAC) recently launched a new
web page devoted to the prevention of viral hepatitis infection
among men who have sex with men (MSM).
MSM should be vaccinated against both hepatitis A and
hepatitis B, yet many remain unprotected. The new web page
includes links to journal articles, recommendations, and other
resources to help health professionals provide appropriate viral
hepatitis screening and preventive services to MSM.
"MSM Vaccination" is located under Topics of Interest in the
right column of the IAC home page. To access the new web page,
go to: http://www.immunize.org/msm
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October 6, 2003
CDC OFFERS NEW RESOURCES FOR PREVENTING HEPATITIS A AT CONCERTS
AND FESTIVALS
[The following is cross posted from the Immunization Action
Coalition's "HEP EXPRESS" electronic newsletter, 10/3/03.]
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is
investigating a multi-state outbreak of hepatitis A among young
adults who attended outdoor concert and camping events featuring
"jam bands." A total of 26 cases have been reported among
residents of 10 states. Such concerts often involve camping on
established or impromptu campgrounds, and sanitary conditions
sometimes are poor.
In response to this outbreak, CDC has developed a new web page
titled "Preventing Hepatitis A Among Concert-Goers." This page
includes sanitation and health department links that health
departments may find helpful in preparing for concerts in their
area. For example, the Portable Sanitation Association
International provides guidelines regarding the number of
portable toilet units required based on expected crowd size,
event length, mix of men and women, and whether or not alcohol
is being served.
CDC has also developed a new flyer for the public: "What Can
Concert-Goers Do to Prevent Hepatitis A?" This flyer can be
downloaded from the site in color or black and white, and
features 1960s-style "flower power" graphics.
Access "Preventing Hepatitis A Among Concert-Goers" at
http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/diseases/hepatitis/jam_band.htm
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October 6, 2003
CDC ADDS VACCINE MANUFACTURERS' CURRENT PHONE NUMBERS TO ITS
EMERGENCY PROCEDURES FOR PROTECTING VACCINE INVENTORIES
The National Immunization Program, Centers for Disease Control
and Prevention, recently updated the phone numbers for vaccine
manufacturers on its web page "Emergency Procedures for
Protecting Vaccine Inventories."
In light of the recent weather emergencies, it is a good idea
for private practices and clinics that store vaccine to keep
vaccine manufacturers' phone numbers near their vaccine storage
guidelines. Following are the current phone numbers for several
vaccine manufacturers:
Aventis Pasteur: (800) 822-2463
Chiron Vaccines: (800) 244-7668
GlaxoSmithKline: (888) 825-5249
Merck & Co.: (800) 672-6372
Wyeth Vaccines: (800) 666-7248
To access CDC's updated web page of emergency procedures for
protecting vaccines, go to:
http://www.cdc.gov/nip/news/vacc_weather_emerg.htm
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October 6, 2003
NEW: BILINGUAL VIDEO AND DVD EXPLAIN THE INACTIVATED INFLUENZA
VIS TO ENGLISH-AND SPANISH-SPEAKING PATIENTS
If your clinic is involved in mass immunization with
inactivated influenza vaccine, Healthway Software of Fargo, ND,
has a product likely to reduce staff time and increase
patient comprehension.
Available in video and DVD formats, "Influenza Vaccine 2003-2004
VIS" contains both English and Spanish versions of the
information found in the most current (5/6/03) inactivated
influenza vaccine information statement (VIS) produced by the
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
It is especially useful in clinical settings and for annual
influenza vaccine clinics that immunize large numbers of people.
The audio and graphics enhance patient understanding, making it
an excellent choice for patients who lack fluency in English or
have limited reading skills.
Priced at $18 each, the video and DVD come with English-
and Spanish-language inactivated influenza VISs. The DVD can
be played on a computer, using the DVD drive, or on a
television set.
To access an order form for mail and fax orders, go to:
http://www.healthwaysoftware.com/Order.htm
To access additional information about the video, go to:
http://www.healthwaysoftware.com/fluvideo.htm
To access additional information about the DVD, go to:
http://www.healthwaysoftware.com/fludvd.htm
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October 6, 2003
NEW: IAC WEBSITE POSTS NEW VIS TRANSLATIONS FOR INACTIVATED
INFLUENZA VACCINE AND MENINGOCOCCAL VACCINE
Updated 5/6/03, the Vaccine Information Statement (VIS) for
inactivated influenza vaccine is now available in Spanish and
Korean. The VIS for meningococcal vaccine, updated 7/28/03, is
now available in Turkish. All three have been posted on the
website of the Immunization Action Coalition (IAC).
IAC gratefully acknowledges the California Department of Health
Services for the Spanish translation, the County of Los Angeles
Department of Health Services for the Korean translation, and
Mustafa Kozanoglu, MD, and Murat Serbest, MD, of Adana, Turkey,
for the Turkish translation.
To access a camera-ready (PDF) copy of the inactivated influenza
vaccine VIS in Spanish, go to:
http://www.immunize.org/vis/spflu03.pdf
To access a camera-ready (PDF) copy of the inactivated influenza
vaccine VIS in Korean, go to:
http://www.immunize.org/vis/ko_flu03.pdf
To access a camera-ready (PDF) copy of the meningococcal vaccine
VIS in Turkish, go to:
http://www.immunize.org/vis/tu_men03.pdf
For more information about the use of VISs, and for VISs in a
total of 29 languages, visit IAC's VIS web page at
http://www.immunize.org/vis
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October 6, 2003
CDC NOTIFIES READERS ABOUT SARS AND THE USE OF INFLUENZA VACCINE
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) published
"Notice to Readers: SARS, Influenza, and Use of Influenza
Vaccine" in the October 3 issue of the "Morbidity and
Mortality Weekly Report" (MMWR). The notice is reprinted
below in its entirety.
***********************
CDC supports and emphasizes the use of influenza vaccination for
reducing influenza infections and their associated
complications. CDC does not recommend influenza vaccination for
the primary purpose of reducing the number of persons who might
be evaluated for severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS).
Influenza vaccine is effective only against influenza virus
infection and is the best option for preventing influenza and
its complications. These complications occur most often in
children aged less than 24 months, persons aged 65 years and
older, and those of any age who have certain medical conditions
placing them at high-risk for having complications from
influenza infection.* Annual vaccination is recommended for
persons at high risk aged 6 months and older and for persons in
other target groups, including family members and other close
contacts of high-risk persons, those aged 50-64 years, and
health-care workers. Vaccination is encouraged, when feasible,
for children aged 6-23 months and for their household contacts
and out-of-home caregivers. Influenza vaccination of health-care
workers is especially important for reducing transmission of
influenza viruses to patients with high-risk conditions in
hospital and other health-care settings and for protecting the
health-care workforce during the influenza season. Additional
information about prevention and control of influenza is
available at
http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/rr5208a1.htm
On a population level, widespread use of the influenza vaccine
will reduce the number of influenza cases and might decrease the
number of persons with a febrile respiratory illness who are
evaluated for SARS. However, such secondary benefits cannot be
reliably anticipated. For example, the overall decrease in
febrile respiratory illnesses would be minimal if circulating
levels of influenza viruses are low or if other respiratory
pathogens are actively circulating in a community.
Persons vaccinated against influenza can still have a febrile
respiratory illness because influenza vaccine will not prevent
infection by noninfluenza agents and the effectiveness of
influenza vaccine is less than 100%. Therefore, receipt of
influenza vaccination in a person who subsequently experiences a
febrile respiratory illness does not eliminate influenza as a
possible cause nor necessarily increase the likelihood that the
illness is SARS.
* Persons at high risk include residents of chronic care
facilities, persons with chronic pulmonary or cardiovascular
disorders (e.g., asthma, chronic metabolic diseases, renal
dysfunction, hemoglobinopathies, or immunosuppression),
children receiving long-term aspirin therapy, and women who
will be in the second or third trimester of pregnancy during the
influenza season.
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To obtain the complete text of the article online, go to:
http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm5239a5.htm
To obtain a camera-ready (PDF format) copy of this issue of
MMWR, go to:
http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/PDF/wk/mm5239.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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October 6, 2003
CDC REPORTS ON INCIDENCE OF CARDIAC DEATHS FOLLOWING 1947 NEW
YORK CITY SMALLPOX VACCINATION CAMPAIGN
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) published
"Cardiac Deaths After a Mass Smallpox Vaccination Campaign--New
York City, 1947" in the October 3 issue of the "Morbidity and
Mortality Weekly Report" (MMWR). A summary made available to the
press is reprinted below in its entirety.
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A review of death records by the New York City Department of
Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) shows no evidence that
smallpox vaccine causes an increase in cardiac-related deaths.
Over the course of a three-week period during April and May
1947, during a smallpox outbreak in New York City (NYC), more
than 6,000,000 New Yorkers were vaccinated in a four-week period
using the same smallpox vaccine strain used today. To determine
whether smallpox vaccination increased risk of cardiac death,
researchers at the NYC DOHMH reviewed NYC death certificates
dated March to June for 1946, 1947, and 1948 (n=81,529). No
increases in cardiac deaths, atherosclerotic deaths, or
all-cause deaths were observed, when more than 80% of the NYC
population was vaccinated. This suggests that cardiac deaths
observed in 2003 vaccine recipients may be unrelated to
smallpox vaccination.
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To obtain the complete text of the article online, go to:
http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm5239a1.htm
To obtain a camera-ready (PDF format) copy of this issue of
MMWR, go to:
http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/PDF/wk/mm5239.pdf
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October 6, 2003
CDC REPORTS ON INVESTIGATION OF DEATHS AMONG U.S. POSTAL SERVICE
WORKERS POTENTIALLY EXPOSED TO BACILLUS ANTHRACIS
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) published
"Follow-up of Deaths Among U.S. Postal Service Workers
Potentially Exposed to Bacillus Anthracis--District of Columbia,
2001" in the October 3 issue of the "Morbidity and Mortality
Weekly Report" (MMWR). A summary made available to the press is
reprinted below in its entirety.
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The findings indicate that the rates and causes of death among
the United States Postal Service (USPS) employees during the
12 months following the anthrax attacks were not different from
those expected or unusual.
CDC, in collaboration with state and local health departments in
the District of Columbia, Maryland, and Virginia, conducted a
yearlong investigation to evaluate the deaths of 11 USPS workers
who may have been exposed to Bacillus anthracis spores. The
deaths of 11 USPS Brentwood employees raised questions about
whether mortality was unusually high among Brentwood employees
following the deaths of two postal workers infected by anthrax
contaminated letters that were processed at the facility in
October 2001. The study, conducted from October 12, 2001 to
October 11, 2002, involved analyzing death certificate data of
the employees and found no unusual rates or causes of death
among these postal workers. Also, their deaths could not be
attributed to an adverse drug reaction to the post-exposure
prophylaxis recommended to approximately 10,000 persons
potentially exposed to anthrax.
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To obtain the complete text of the article online, go to:
http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm5239a2.htm
To obtain a camera-ready (PDF format) copy of this issue of
MMWR, go to:
http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/PDF/wk/mm5239.pdf
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October 6, 2003
RESCHEDULED: OCTOBER 23 IS THE NEW DATE FOR "VACCINATE BEFORE
YOU GRADUATE" ADOLESCENT IMMUNIZATION BROADCAST
The threat of Hurricane Isabel led the planners of the
"Vaccinate Before You Graduate" immunization conference to
reschedule the conference broadcast for 8 am to 10 am EST,
October 23. It had originally been scheduled for September 18.
Planned for broadcast from Eastern Virginia Medical School in
Norfolk, the conference is intended for a nationwide audience of
public and private immunization providers, including physicians,
nurses, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, pharmacists,
and medical students.
Though the conference and broadcast are free, registration is
required. To register, call (800) 395-2453 or (757) 668-7500
weekdays between 8 am and 5 pm ET.
Program materials, satellite specifications, and the toll-free
telephone number are available on the conference website at
http://www.chkd.org/vbg
For additional information, email NascaSR@chkd.org or call
(757) 668-6488.
To access an article about the conference published in the
August 18 issue of "IAC EXPRESS," go to:
http://www.immunize.org/genr.d/issue406.htm#n5 |
