Issue
Number 420
October 27, 2003
CONTENTS OF THIS ISSUE
- CDC notifies readers about guidelines for maintaining and
managing the vaccine cold chain
- CDC Health Update: CDC identifies clusters of influenza A
infections; timely influenza vaccination urged
- New: CDC posts information about ACIP decision to recommend
influenza vaccination for children age 6 to 23 months
- New: IAC adds substantial information on vaccine-preventable
diseases to its public website
- CDC Health Advisory: Unvaccinated Pennsylvania resident
reported to have contracted respiratory diphtheria in Haiti
- October issue of CDC's "Immunization Works!" newsletter is
available online
- Order now: Adult Immunization Record Card available by the
carton at half-price--while supplies last
- New: Audio-format VISs explain the inactivated influenza VIS
to English- and Spanish-speaking patients
- New: IAC posts three resources to help you translate
immunization records from foreign countries
----------------------------------------------------------
Back to Top
(1 of 9)
October 27, 2003
CDC NOTIFIES READERS ABOUT GUIDELINES FOR MAINTAINING AND MANAGING THE
VACCINE COLD CHAIN
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) published "Notice to
Readers: Guidelines for Maintaining and Managing the Vaccine Cold Chain" in
the October 24 issue of "Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report" (MMWR). The
notice is reprinted below in its entirety, excluding two tables and
references.
***********************
In February 2002, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP)
and American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) released their revised
General Recommendations on Immunization, which included recommendations on
the storage and handling of immunobiologics. Because of increased concern
over the potential for errors with the vaccine cold chain (i.e., maintaining
proper vaccine temperatures during storage and handling to preserve
potency), this notice advises vaccine providers of the importance of proper
cold chain management practices. This report describes proper storage units
and storage temperatures, outlines appropriate temperature-monitoring
practices, and recommends steps for evaluating a temperature-monitoring
program. The success of efforts against vaccine-preventable diseases is
attributable in part to proper storage and handling of vaccines. Exposure of
vaccines to temperatures outside the recommended ranges can affect potency
adversely, thereby reducing protection from vaccine-preventable diseases.
Good practices to maintain proper vaccine storage and handling can ensure
that the full benefit of immunization is realized.
Recommended Storage Temperatures
The majority of commonly recommended vaccines require storage temperatures
of 35-46 degrees Fahrenheit (2-8 degrees Celsius) and must not be exposed to
freezing temperatures. Introduction of varicella vaccine in 1995 and of live
attenuated influenza vaccine (LAIV) more recently increased the complexity
of vaccine storage. Both varicella vaccine and LAIV must be stored in a
continuously frozen state at or below 5 degrees Fahrenheit (-15 degrees
Celsius) with no freeze-thaw cycles. In recent years, instances of improper
vaccine storage have been reported. An estimated 17%-37% of providers expose
vaccines to improper storage temperatures, and refrigerator temperatures are
more commonly kept too cold than too warm.
Freezing temperatures can irreversibly reduce the potency of vaccines
required to be stored at 35-46 degrees Fahrenheit (2-8 degrees Celsius).
Certain freeze-sensitive vaccines contain an aluminum adjuvant that
precipitates when exposed to freezing temperatures. This results in loss of
the adjuvant effect and vaccine potency. Physical changes are not always
apparent after exposure to freezing temperatures and visible signs of
freezing are not necessary to result in a decrease in vaccine potency.
Although the potency of the majority of vaccines can be affected adversely
by storage temperatures that are too warm, these effects are usually more
gradual, predictable, and smaller in magnitude than losses from temperatures
that are too cold. In contrast, varicella vaccine and LAIV are required to
be stored in continuously frozen states and lose potency when stored above
the recommended temperature range.
Vaccine Storage Requirements
Vaccine storage units must be selected carefully and used properly. A
combination refrigerator/freezer unit sold for home use is acceptable for
vaccine storage if the refrigerator and freezer compartments each have a
separate door. However, vaccines should not be stored near the cold air
outlet from the freezer to the refrigerator. Many combination units cool the
refrigerator compartment by using air from the freezer compartment. In these
units, the freezer thermostat controls freezer temperature while the
refrigerator thermostat controls the volume of freezer temperature air
entering the refrigerator. This can result in different temperature zones
within the refrigerator.
Refrigerators without freezers and stand-alone freezers usually perform
better at maintaining the precise temperatures required for vaccine storage,
and such single-purpose units sold for home use are less expensive
alternatives to medical specialty equipment. Any refrigerator or freezer
used for vaccine storage must maintain the required temperature range
year-round, be large enough to hold the year's largest inventory, and be
dedicated to storage of biologics (i.e., food or beverages should not be
stored in vaccine storage units). In addition, vaccines should be stored
centrally in the refrigerator or freezer, not in the door or on the bottom
of the storage unit, and sufficiently away from walls to allow air to
circulate.
Temperature Monitoring
Proper temperature monitoring is key to proper cold chain management.
Thermometers should be placed in a central location in the storage unit,
adjacent to the vaccine. Temperatures should be read and documented twice
each day, once when the office or clinic opens and once at the end of the
day. Temperature logs should be kept on file for 3 or more years, unless
state statutes or rules require a longer period. Immediate action must be
taken to correct storage temperatures that are outside the recommended
ranges. Mishandled vaccines should not be administered.
One person should be assigned primary responsibility for maintaining
temperature logs, along with one backup person. Temperature logs should be
reviewed by the backup person at least weekly. All staff members working
with vaccines should be familiar with proper temperature monitoring.
Different types of thermometers can be used, including standard
fluid-filled, min-max, and continuous chart recorder thermometers. Standard
fluid-filled thermometers are the simplest and least expensive products, but
some models might perform poorly. Product temperature thermometers (i.e.,
those encased in biosafe liquids) might reflect vaccine temperature more
accurately. Min-max thermometers monitor the temperature range. Continuous
chart recorder thermometers monitor temperature range and duration and can
be recalibrated at specified intervals. All thermometers used for monitoring
vaccine storage temperatures should be calibrated and certified by an
appropriate agency (e.g., National Institute of Standards and Technology).
In addition, temperature indicators (e.g., Freeze Watch [3M, St. Paul,
Minnesota] or ColdMark [Cold Ice, Inc., Oakland, California]) can be
considered as a backup monitoring system; however, such indicators should
not be used as a substitute for twice daily temperature readings and
documentation.
All medical care providers who administer vaccines should evaluate their
cold chain maintenance and management to ensure that 1) designated personnel
and backup personnel have written duties and are trained in vaccine storage
and handling; 2) accurate thermometers are placed properly in all vaccine
storage units and any limitations of the storage system are fully known; 3)
vaccines are placed properly within the refrigerator or freezer in which
proper temperatures are maintained; 4) temperature logs are reviewed for
completeness and any deviations from recommended temperature ranges; 5) any
out-of-range temperatures prompt immediate action to fix the problem, with
results of these actions documented; 6) any vaccines exposed to out-of-range
temperatures are marked "do not use" and isolated physically; 7) when a
problem is discovered, the exposed vaccine is maintained at proper
temperatures while state or local health departments, or the vaccine
manufacturers, are contacted for guidance; and 8) written emergency
retrieval and storage procedures are in place in case of equipment failures
or power outages. Around-the-clock monitoring systems might be considered to
alert staff to after-hours emergencies, particularly if large vaccine
inventories are maintained. Additional
information on vaccine storage and handling is available from the
Immunization Action Coalition at
http://www.immunize.org/izpractices/index.htm Links to state and
local health departments are available at
http://www.cdc.gov/other.htm
Especially detailed guidelines from the Commonwealth of Australia on vaccine
storage and handling, vaccine storage units, temperature monitoring, and
stability of vaccines at different temperatures are available at
http://immunise.health.gov.au/cool.pdf
***********************
To obtain the complete text of the article online, go to:
http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm5242a6.htm
To obtain a camera-ready (PDF format) copy of this issue of MMWR, go to:
http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/PDF/wk/mm5242.pdf
HOW TO OBTAIN A FREE ELECTRONIC SUBSCRIPTION TO THE MMWR:
To obtain a free electronic subscription to "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.
---------------------------------------------------------------
Back to Top (2 of 9)
October 27, 2003
CDC HEALTH UPDATE: CDC IDENTIFIES CLUSTERS OF INFLUENZA A INFECTIONS; TIMELY
INFLUENZA VACCINATION URGED
On October 20, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued
the following official CDC Health Update. CDC notes that a Health Update
"provides updated information regarding an incident or situation; [it is]
unlikely to require immediate action." It is reprinted below in its
entirety.
**********************
This is an official CDC Health Update
Distributed via Health Alert Network
October 20, 2003 20:07 EDT (8:07 PM EDT)
CLUSTERS OF INFLUENZA A INFECTIONS IDENTIFIED; REPORTS UNDERSCORE IMPORTANCE
OF TIMELY INFLUENZA VACCINATION
This Health Alert Network notice describes recent reports of influenza A
activity in Texas and other parts of the United States, presents results of
preliminary laboratory analysis of influenza A(H3N2) isolates conducted at
the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and outlines current
recommendations for influenza vaccination.
During the first week of October, Texas health authorities reported cases
and school outbreaks of laboratory-confirmed influenza A infections in the
Houston metropolitan area. Testing in Texas identified influenza A(H3N2)
virus, and isolates were sent to the Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention (CDC) for further characterization. At CDC, preliminary analysis
has shown that 8 of 13 A(H3N2) isolates from Texas are antigenically similar
to the A(H3N2) A/Panama/2007/99 vaccine strain, while five isolates are
antigenic drift [described in Note below] variants. Influenza subsequently
has been reported from several counties in Texas.
During August and September, CDC had received influenza A(H3N2) isolates
from sporadic cases in Alaska, Connecticut, Wisconsin, Hawaii, New
Hampshire, New York, Texas, and the District of Columbia and influenza A
isolates from sporadic cases in Louisiana, Texas, and Washington. While
influenza activity in the United States usually starts in November or
December and reaches peak levels from late December through April, the
timing of influenza activity is highly variable from year to year and
influenza outbreaks have been reported in October in some previous years.
Influenza cases and isolated outbreaks can occur at any time of the year.
Similar to the Texas isolates, approximately 33% of influenza A(H3N2)
viruses isolated worldwide between February and September have drifted
antigenically from the current A(H3N2) A/Panama/2007/99 vaccine strain in
laboratory tests. By contrast, influenza A(H1N1) and influenza B viruses
generally have remained similar to their vaccine strain counterparts.
Influenza vaccine is expected to provide good protection against influenza
A(H1N1), B viruses, and A(H3N2) viruses that are similar to the vaccine
strains. While vaccine protection against the A(H3N2) drift variants may be
lower, the vaccine is expected to provide some degree of effectiveness
although the level of protection cannot be predicted.
Supplies of influenza vaccine are adequate in the United States this year.
The adequate supply, coupled with appearance of community influenza activity
in Texas in early October, serves as a reminder of the need for timely
vaccination against influenza, particularly among persons 6 months of age or
older and who are at increased risk for complications of influenza. Such
"high-risk" groups include:
- Persons 65 years of age and older
- Women who will be in the second or third
trimester of pregnancy during influenza season
- Persons with one of several chronic,
long-term health problems (e.g., heart or lung disease, kidney problems,
asthma, and HIV/AIDS or any other illness or condition that suppresses the
immune system)
Influenza vaccination is also recommended for
other target groups, including
- Persons aged 50 to 64 years because of
the increased prevalence of high-risk conditions in this age group
- Health-care workers and others in close
contact with high-risk individuals because of the possibility that this
group might transmit influenza to persons in high-risk groups
For the 2003-04 influenza season, influenza
vaccination also is encouraged, when feasible, for children 6 to 23 months
of age and their household contacts and out-of-home caregivers because young
children are at increased risk of influenza-related hospitalization. For
2004-05, influenza vaccination will be recommended for these groups for the
first time.
[Note:] Antigenic drift is the gradual accumulation of changes in the
hemagglutinin (HA) protein of influenza viruses that may affect the binding
of antibodies to this virus protein. Since antibodies to the HA are
important for protection from influenza, antigenic drift may result in an
increase in susceptibility of the population to infection by these
antigenically drifted viruses, in spite of previous infection or
vaccination.
For additional information about influenza, please see the CDC website at
http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/diseases/flu/fluvirus.htm
**********************
---------------------------------------------------------------
Back to Top (3 of 9)
October 27, 2003
NEW: CDC POSTS INFORMATION ABOUT ACIP DECISION TO RECOMMEND INFLUENZA
VACCINATION FOR CHILDREN AGE 6 TO 23 MONTHS
On October 16, the National Immunization Program, Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention (CDC) posted on its website the following information
about the decision of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP)
to recommend influenza vaccination for children age 6 to 23 months, starting
with the 2004-05 influenza season. The information is reprinted below in its
entirety.
***************************
THE ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON IMMUNIZATION PRACTICES (ACIP) VOTE TO RECOMMEND
INFLUENZA VACCINATION FOR CHILDREN AGED 6 TO 23 MONTHS FOR INFLUENZA SEASON
2004-05
October 15, 2003
The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) today (October 15,
2003) voted to recommend that children 6 to 23 months of age be vaccinated
annually against influenza. The ACIP recommended this change be implemented
in the fall of 2004. The ACIP had previously encouraged physicians to
vaccinate 6 to 23 month old children when feasible; that is, when they had
resources and capacity to educate parents about influenza, to administer the
needed doses, and to monitor vaccine adverse events.
The current inactivated influenza vaccine is not approved by FDA for use
among children less than six months of age.
Two doses of inactivated influenza vaccine administered more than one month
apart are recommended for previously unvaccinated children less than nine
years of age. If possible, the second dose should be administered before
December. All subsequent annual influenza vaccinations require only one dose
of vaccine.
Annual vaccination with the current vaccine is recommended because immunity
declines during the year after vaccination and because the vaccine
composition usually changes each year. Vaccine prepared for a previous
influenza season should not be administered to provide protection for the
current season.
The recommendations of the ACIP are forwarded to the Director of the CDC and
the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) for review. If the ACIP
recommendations are accepted by the Director of CDC and the Secretary of HHS,
they are published in the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report and become
recommendations of CDC.
The ACIP consists of 15 experts in fields associated with immunization who
have been selected for the Secretary of HHS to provide guidance to the
Secretary, the Assistant Secretary for Health, and the CDC on the most
effective means to prevent vaccine-preventable diseases. The Committee
reviews and reports on immunization practices and recommends improvements in
the national immunization efforts.
***************************
To access the information from the CDC website, go to:
http://www.cdc.gov/nip/flu/acipflurec-2004.htm
---------------------------------------------------------------
Back to Top (4 of 9)
October 27, 2003
NEW: IAC ADDS SUBSTANTIAL INFORMATION ON VACCINE-PREVENTABLE DISEASES TO ITS
PUBLIC WEBSITE
The Immunization Action Coalition (IAC) has recently added new resources to
its website for the public,
http://www.vaccineinformation.org Each disease page on the public
website now includes two Q & A sections, one about the disease and another
about the vaccine that prevents it. Experts at the Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention reviewed the questions and answers included on the
website.
The disease Q & A section explores such questions as what causes a disease,
how it is spread, what its symptoms are, how common the disease is in the
United States and world, and how the disease can be treated. The vaccine Q &
A section discusses the type of vaccine used to prevent the disease, the
year it was licensed, its efficacy and safety, who should receive it, and
its possible side effects.
IAC also added new photographs to the website's photo section, bringing the
total available to 200. Each month IAC's web statistics show these
photographs to be among the most viewed items on our websites--a picture
truly is worth a thousand words!
The addition of the Vaccine Education Center's video, "Vaccines: Separating
Fact from Fear," brings the number of video clips available to 25.
Developed in 2002, the public website presents straightforward information
about vaccine-preventable diseases and their vaccines to patients, parents,
providers, and the media. Please visit the website often, use its resources,
and share them with others.
---------------------------------------------------------------
Back to Top (5 of 9)
October 27, 2003
CDC HEALTH ADVISORY: UNVACCINATED PENNSYLVANIA RESIDENT REPORTED TO HAVE
CONTRACTED RESPIRATORY DIPHTHERIA IN HAITI
On October 24, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued
the following official CDC Health Advisory. CDC notes that a Health Advisory
"provides important information for a specific incident or situation; [it]
may not require immediate action." It is reprinted below in its entirety.
**********************
This is an official CDC Health Advisory
Distributed via Health Alert Network
October 24, 2003 14:20 EDT (2:20 PM EDT)
RESPIRATORY DIPHTHERIA IN A PENNSYLVANIA RESIDENT RECENTLY RETURNED FROM
HAITI: REPORT UNDERSCORES IMPORTANCE OF VACCINATION TO PREVENT DIPHTHERIA
On 10/18/03, the Pennsylvania Department of Health and CDC were notified of
a case of respiratory diphtheria in a 63-year-old male. This Pennsylvania
resident had reportedly never been vaccinated against diphtheria. From
October 3-10, this man and seven other men from New York, Pennsylvania, and
West Virginia had worked in a rural village in Haiti. On return to
Pennsylvania, the man was admitted to a hospital because of his severe sore
throat and respiratory distress. Respiratory diphtheria was suspected when,
during a tracheostomy procedure, a pseudomembrane was seen throughout his
upper airways consistent with respiratory diphtheria. Several days later, a
sample of the pseudomembrane was PCR [polymerase chain reaction] positive
for Corynebacterium diphtheriae tox genes. Based on his history of travel to
Haiti where diphtheria is endemic, his clinical symptoms, and the positive
PCR results, this patient has a confirmed case of respiratory diphtheria.
Diphtheria is caused by toxigenic strains of the bacterium Corynebacterium
diphtheriae. The mainstay of therapy is administration of diphtheria
antitoxin (DAT). DAT should be given when diphtheria is suspected without
waiting for laboratory confirmation. In the U.S., DAT is only available from
the CDC [(770) 488-7100]. Suspected diphtheria case-patients should also
receive antibiotics to eradicate carriage of C. diphtheriae. When
respiratory diphtheria is suspected in a patient, Td vaccination is
recommended for the patient's close contacts (i.e., those who may have been
exposed to respiratory secretions or who are close household contacts) if Td
has not been administered within the last 5 years. These contacts should
have nasal and pharyngeal specimens obtained for culture and should also be
given antibiotic prophylaxis. Contact investigations identified the
diphtheria case-patient's seven travel companions, several health-care
providers, and his wife as close contacts, and they received these
interventions; other passengers on the commercial airliner that the
case-patient took while in the infectious period were not considered to be
close contacts.
Diphtheria is uncommon in the United States. From 1980 to 2002, only 54
cases of probable or confirmed respiratory diphtheria were reported to the
CDC's National Notifiable Diseases Surveillance System. Diphtheria is
endemic in Algeria, Egypt, sub-Saharan Africa; Brazil, Dominican Republic,
Ecuador, and Haiti; Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Cambodia, China, India,
Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Laos, Mongolia, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan,
Philippines, Syria, Thailand, Turkey, Vietnam, and Yemen; and Albania and
all countries of the former Soviet Union. Travelers who travel to these
areas may be at substantial risk for exposure to toxigenic strains of C.
diphtheriae, especially with prolonged travel, extensive contact with
children, or exposure to poor hygiene.
Primary diphtheria immunization with diphtheria and tetanus toxoids and
acellular pertussis vaccine (DTaP) is recommended for all persons aged 6
weeks to 6 years of age. The five DTaP doses are administered at ages 2, 4,
and 6 months, at 15-18 months and at 4-6 years. Adolescents and adults
should receive the adult formulation of tetanus and diphtheria toxoids (Td)
every 10 years.
Health care providers should ensure that travelers to all countries with
endemic diphtheria are up-to-date with diphtheria and other vaccinations
according to the ACIP guidelines. For additional information on diphtheria,
please see the CDC website at:
http://www.cdc.gov/nip/publications/surv-manual/default.htm For
additional health information for international travel, please see the CDC
website at
http://www.cdc.gov/travel/yb/index.htm
**********************
---------------------------------------------------------------
Back to Top (6 of 9)
October 27, 2003
OCTOBER ISSUE OF CDC'S "IMMUNIZATION WORKS!" NEWSLETTER IS AVAILABLE ONLINE
The October issue of "Immunization Works!" a monthly email newsletter published
by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), is available on the
website of the Immunization Action Coalition (IAC). The newsletter offers
members of the immunization community information about current topics. Some
of the information in the October issue has already appeared in previous
issues of "IAC EXPRESS." Following is the text of seven articles we have not
covered.
**************************
ACIP Meeting: The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) met
last week in Atlanta. During the meeting ACIP unanimously approved moving
from the current "encouragement" of influenza vaccination to a full
recommendation for children aged 6-23 months. If accepted by the CDC and the
Department of Health and Human Services, implementation will occur with the
2004-2005 influenza season. Children will need two doses of the vaccine, a
month apart, in the first year that they receive immunization. Subsequent
vaccinations only require one dose. The ACIP's influenza recommendations
also include annual vaccination of household and out-of-house caregivers of
persons who are at high risk of complications from influenza. ["IAC EXPRESS"
editor's note: For more information on this topic, see the previous "IAC
EXPRESS" article.]
The ACIP also approved the Recommended Childhood and Adolescent Schedule and
catch-up schedule for 2004 with minor changes from 2003. The Live Attenuated
Influenza Vaccine was added. The inactivated influenza vaccine for infants
will also be added. The committee agreed to clarify that the third dose of
Hepatitis B (at six months of age) is acceptable at 24 weeks of age.
With regard to smallpox vaccination in the event of an outbreak, the ACIP
expressed that in an affected area of outbreak, immunosuppressed persons and
children under one year of age would still be advised against smallpox
vaccination. However, the Committee agreed that ring vaccination of all
contacts and secondary contacts of cases should take place as previously
recommended.
**************************
Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine Supply Normalized: All providers are reminded
that a return to the routine vaccine schedule for pneumococcal conjugate
vaccine was recommended by the ACIP in May. The recommendation was made
after the pneumococcal conjugate (Prevnar) vaccine supply was normalized
earlier this year. All children without medical contraindication should
receive the full pneumococcal conjugate dosing schedule according to the
ACIP and the AAP Red Book Committee recommendations. For more information,
view the May 16, 2003 MMWR at
www.cdc.gov/mmwr
**************************
Private Provider Awards Announced: CDC has awarded new cooperative
agreements to private provider organizations to promote immunization
outreach. More than $685,000 will be spread among six organizations:
Ambulatory Pediatric Association, Society of Adolescent Medicine, American
Academy of Family Physicians, American College of Physicians, American
Pharmacists Association, and Society of Teachers of Family Medicine.
The funding will support a range of new and continuing projects that target
multiple private provider audiences. New projects include the development of
a camera-ready immunization schedule for easy duplication in member
newsletters, training and long-term assistance for physicians to implement
the Adult and Adolescent Clinical Assessment Software Application (ACASA)
into their practices, and the development and dissemination of pharmacy
toolkits on collaborative best practices. Continuing projects include adding
components to TIDE, an on-line vaccine educational curriculum for child and
adolescent providers; and enhancing SHOTS, a PDA program containing vaccine
information for all immunization providers.
Funding for these projects is expected to be available for three years,
concluding in September 2006. Information about future CDC funding
opportunities can be found at
www.cdc.gov/funding.htm or in the Federal Register.
**************************
International Immunization Opportunities: The Global Immunization Division
at the National Immunization Program at CDC is currently accepting
applications for the January and May 2004 Stop Transmission of Polio (STOP)
teams. CDC is recruiting candidates to work in field surveillance
assignments, as well as data management assignments. In order to qualify for
consideration, candidates must either have obtained a graduate degree or
licensure in health and have three years of relevant work experience (for
example, MD, PA, RN, DVM, MPH) OR have five years of relevant work
experience. Particularly desirable is field surveillance and/or immunization
program experience, especially in developing countries, in addition to a
demonstrated ability to work in French, Portuguese, or Arabic. For more
information and application procedures, please visit
www.cdc.gov/nip/global/stopteam/team-assign.htm
Also, CDC periodically recruits Medical Officers and Epidemiologists to work
on measles, polio and other activities in Atlanta-based positions as well as
long-term assignments (2 yrs. minimum) in various overseas locations. We are
especially interested in mid-career professionals with at least five years
of international public health management, disease surveillance and/or
immunization program experience, and excellent interpersonal skills. Please
contact Liz Bell at eib6@cdc.gov or
Carla Lee at cel1@cdc.gov for
further information.
**************************
MEETINGS, CONFERENCES, AND RESOURCES
CDC Makes Conference Support Grants Available: The CDC has limited resources
available to support public health conferences. To support this process, CDC
has implemented a new Conference Support Grant Program. There are several
cycles available for submitting Letters of Intent (LOIs) and applications.
Upcoming deadlines are January 6, 2004, for LOIs and March 8, 2004, for
applications for conferences August 1, 2004, through July 31, 2005. LOIs
will be accepted April 1, 2004, and Applications June 1, 2004 for
conferences November 1, 2004, through September 30, 2005. For more
information visit www.cdc.gov
**************************
CALL FOR ABSTRACTS
The 38th National Immunization Conference is soliciting abstracts for its
upcoming meeting in Nashville, Tennessee, May 11-14, 2004. The conference
will bring together a wide variety of local, state, federal, and
private-sector immunization partners to explore science, policy, education,
and planning issues related to immunization in general and
vaccine-preventable disease. The deadline for abstract submission is January
16, 2004. For more information visit
www.cdc.gov/nip/nic
**************************
The Sixth National Conference on Immunization Coalitions: Chart Your
Coalition's Course for Norfolk, is soliciting abstracts for its upcoming
meeting in Norfolk, Virginia, September 20-22, 2004. The conference provides
training on how to create, lead and sustain effective local or state
coalitions and partnerships that address childhood, adolescent, and adult
immunization. More specifically, the conference will address coalitions as
agents of social change, the elements of a successful coalition, and social
and ethnic diversity in coalitions. The deadline for abstract submission is
December 15, 2003. For more information visit
www.cme.hsc.usf.edu/coph
**************************
To access the entire October issue from the IAC website, go to:
http://www.immunize.org/news.d/news1003.htm
---------------------------------------------------------------
Back to Top (7 of 9)
October 27, 2003
ORDER NOW: ADULT IMMUNIZATION RECORD CARD AVAILABLE BY THE CARTON AT
HALF-PRICE--WHILE SUPPLIES LAST
Our printer's error creates a wonderful opportunity for you to stock up on
one or more cartons of the Immunization Action Coalition (IAC) Adult
Immunization Record Card--and pay only half the price you'd expect! We are
offering a 3750-card carton to "IAC EXPRESS" readers for the marked-down
price of $131.25, plus shipping. Your typical cost would be $262.50 per
carton.
We can offer the card at this price because our printer mistakenly printed
cards with the "old" design, which included space for a patient's social
security number. Cards with the "new" design, which are not available at
half price, have space for a patient number instead.
The Adult Immunization Record Card is extremely popular. Since introducing
it in May 2002, IAC has shipped more than a million cards to health care
providers across the United States. Health professionals find the card
invaluable for educating patients that immunization is a lifelong process
and for giving patients the means to keep a lifetime record of their
immunization status.
Printed on smudge-proof, rip-proof, waterproof paper, the card comes
pre-folded to fit in a wallet. Its bright, canary-yellow color makes it easy
to spot among credit cards and other items.
To view a copy of the "new" design online, go to:
https://www.immunize.org/adultizcards/index.htm Remember, the
half-price card is identical to the online card with one exception: The
half-price card has "Social Security Number" instead of "Patient Number."
You can place an order for a 3,750-card carton (or more) of the half-price
card in two ways: (1) fax your order to us at (651) 647-9131 or (2) send an
email to the following address:
admin@immunize.org Include your complete shipping information (your
name, shipping address, and daytime phone number). Please include your fax
number in your fax or email to us, and we will fax you a confirmation of
your order and an expected shipping date. We accept payment by check,
purchase order, or credit card; we will ship in 2-3 weeks. You pay shipping
charges.
Orders will be filled only for multiples of 3,750 (e.g., 7,500, 11,250,
15,000, etc.) and will be shipped IN THE ORDER WE RECEIVE THEM until
supplies are depleted. Don't delay!
---------------------------------------------------------------
Back to Top (8 of 9)
October 27, 2003
NEW: AUDIO-FORMAT VISs EXPLAIN THE INACTIVATED INFLUENZA VIS TO ENGLISH- AND
SPANISH-SPEAKING PATIENTS
The 2003-04 Inactivated Influenza Vaccine Information Statement (VIS) in
audio format is now available in English and Spanish on the Immunization
Action Coalition (IAC) website. IAC gratefully acknowledges Healthy Roads
Media, National Library of Medicine Multilingual Health Education Resource
Project, for the audio-format VISs. To find out more about the project and
access additional resources, go to:
http://www.healthyroadsmedia.org
To access the audio-format inactivated influenza VIS in English or Spanish
from the IAC VIS web page, go to:
http://www.immunize.org/vis Click on option #4, "VISs listed by
disease," click on "inactivated influenza vaccine," and click on
"English (audio VIS)" or "Spanish (audio VIS)."
For information about the use of VISs, and for VISs in a total
of 30 languages, visit IAC's VIS web page at
http://www.immunize.org/vis
---------------------------------------------------------------
Back to Top (9 of 9)
October 27, 2003
NEW: IAC POSTS THREE RESOURCES TO HELP YOU TRANSLATE
IMMUNIZATION RECORDS FROM FOREIGN COUNTRIES
When a patient arrives at your practice or clinic site with
immunization records written in a language you don't know, how
can you interpret the records well enough to verify the
patient's immunization history? It's a complex task, but three
resources recently posted on the Immunization Action Coalition
(IAC) website can help make it somewhat easier. IAC is grateful
to the Minnesota Department of Health for permission to adapt
and post these resources.
Following are the resources' titles, descriptions, and URLs:
(1) "Quick Chart of Vaccine-Preventable Disease Terms in
Multiple Languages" lists 20 immunization-related terms in
English and gives translations for them in Somali and several
Eastern European and Western European languages.
To access a camera-ready (PDF) copy, go to:
http://www.immunize.org/izpractices/p5122.pdf
(2) "Translation of Vaccine-Related Terms Into English" lists
more than 180 immunization-related terms in several Western
European and Eastern European languages, as well as a few in
African, Caribbean, and Pacific Islander languages. In addition,
more than 20 such terms are given in the Cyrillic alphabet.
To access a camera-ready (PDF) copy, go to:
http://www.immunize.org/izpractices/p5121.pdf
(3) "Vaccines and Biologics Used in U.S. and Foreign Markets"
lists more than 300 vaccine products or trade names that are or
have been used in the U.S. and international markets. The list
includes products manufactured in more than 25 countries
worldwide.
To access a camera-ready (PDF) copy, go to:
http://www.immunize.org/izpractices/p5120.pdf |
