Issue
Number 482
October 4, 2004
CONTENTS OF THIS ISSUE
- Updated: NIP posts the September 2004 Immunization Practice Toolkit on
its website
- Updated: IAC expands and makes extensive revisions to its
parent-education piece "After the Shots"
- CDC releases Influenza Vaccine Bulletin #3
- Act now: Free bulk copies of the latest issue of "VACCINATE WOMEN"
(August 2004) will go fast
- November 19 is the deadline for abstracts for CDC's 2005 National
Immunization Conference
- New: "The Vaccine Handbook" is now available for PDAs
- CDC reports on emergency measles control activities in Darfur, Sudan,
during 2004
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ABBREVIATIONS: AAFP, American Academy of Family Physicians; AAP, American
Academy of Pediatrics; ACIP, Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices;
CDC, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; FDA, Food and Drug
Administration; IAC, Immunization Action Coalition; MMWR, Morbidity and
Mortality Weekly Report; NIP, National Immunization Program; VIS, Vaccine
Information Statement; VPD, vaccine-preventable disease; WHO, World Health
Organization.
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October 4, 2004
UPDATED: NIP POSTS THE SEPTEMBER 2004 IMMUNIZATION PRACTICE TOOLKIT ON ITS
WEBSITE
NIP recently posted the fourth edition of the Immunization Practice Toolkit
on its website. A compilation of resources for health care personnel who
provide immunization services, the toolkit offers users more than 70 links
to a variety of practical immunization resources. The posted information is
current as of September 2004.
Resources are organized into nine topics: basic information, clinic
operations, vaccine storage and handling, client education, screening,
vaccine administration, vaccine safety, travel, and quality improvement. The
resources have been gathered from NIP, CDC, California Department of Health
Services, IAC, Michigan Department of Community Health, Children's Hospital
of Philadelphia, and other organizations. The links go to documents that can
be downloaded at no cost, as well as to archived webcasts and online video
ordering forms. To access the toolkit,
go to:
http://www2.cdc.gov/nip/isd/immtoolkit Click on the topics listed at
the left of the screen.
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October 4, 2004
UPDATED: IAC EXPANDS AND MAKES EXTENSIVE REVISIONS TO ITS PARENT-EDUCATION
PIECE "AFTER THE SHOTS"
IAC recently revised and expanded its parent-education piece "After the
Shots . . . What to do if your child has discomfort." Formerly a one-page
document, the piece has been expanded to two pages and now includes a dosing
schedule for ibuprofen, as well as acetaminophen.
To access a ready-to-copy (PDF) version of the revised piece, go to:
http://www.immunize.org/catg.d/p4015.pdf
To access a web-text (HTML) version of it, go to:
http://www.immunize.org/nslt.d/n17/p4015.htm
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October 4, 2004
CDC RELEASES INFLUENZA VACCINE BULLETIN #3
On September 24, NIP issued Influenza Vaccine Bulletin #3. It is reprinted
below in its entirety.
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INFLUENZA VACCINE BULLETIN #3
Influenza Season 2004-05
September 24, 2004
The National Immunization Program (NIP) of the Centers for Disease Control
and Prevention (CDC) publishes and distributes periodic bulletins to update
partners about recent developments related to the production, distribution,
and administration of influenza vaccine. All recipients of this bulletin are
encouraged to distribute each issue widely to colleagues, members, and
constituents.
INFLUENZA VACCINE SUPPLY AND PRODUCTION
2004-2005 Influenza Vaccine Production Update
About 100 million doses of influenza vaccine will be available this year in
the United States. Chiron has reported a delay in their vaccine delivery
schedule. They expect to distribute about 46-48 million total Fluvirin doses
this year plus 2 million doses to CDC stockpile. While vaccine will begin to
be shipped in October, Chiron has stated that there will be no
prioritization of shipments to distributors once vaccine is released for
shipment. Aventis Pasteur has already shipped some vaccine, reports no
delays in vaccine delivery, and expects to deliver about 20 million doses in
September and the remaining 32 million doses in October. MedImmune expects
to deliver all of its approximate 1.5 million doses of preservative-free
intranasal influenza vaccine (FluMist) in October. More information is
available at
www.ama-assn.org/ama/pub/article/1826-8817.html
Orders for Influenza Vaccine
By now, health care providers should have placed influenza vaccine orders
for administration in the fall of 2004. If orders have not been placed and
regular sources of vaccine are booked, health care providers are encouraged
to get on a waiting list. Last year, sporadic cases of influenza were
reported throughout the summer, with widespread activity in several states
in November and in most states during December. Because increased demand for
vaccine is anticipated, health care providers who care for Medicare
beneficiaries and others at high risk for complications from influenza must
prepare for the upcoming influenza season immediately.
Additional information on sources of vaccine can be found at
www.hidanetwork.com/govtrelations/flulinks.asp, a service provided
by the Health Industry Distributors Association.
Influenza Vaccine Contracts
For 2004, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has
contracted for a maximum quantity of 8 million doses, up from 4.8 million in
2003. This vaccine may be purchased by state and local immunization programs
with VFC, 317, or state or local funds for persons of all ages.
On July 30, 2004, CDC signed a contract with MedImmune Vaccines Inc. for a
maximum purchase of 500,000 doses of live, intranasal influenza virus
vaccine, FluMist. The vaccine is supplied in packs containing 10 pre-filled
single-dose, 0.5mL sprayers (0.25mL per nostril). This vaccine is indicated
for healthy persons five through 49 years of age. To maintain potency, the
vaccine must be stored continuously at or below –15 degrees C (+5 degrees
F). Purchasers intending to store the vaccine in frost-free freezers must
also receive and use a FluMist FreezeBox supplied by the manufacturer.
VFC Influenza Vaccine Stockpile
CDC has legislative authority through the Vaccines for Children (VFC)
program to purchase influenza vaccine for a national stockpile program for
children through 18 years of age. Influenza vaccine is being stockpiled by
CDC to ensure sufficient supply in case of a shortage like the one
experienced this past winter. 4.5 million doses will be purchased for the
stockpile this year. Stockpiled vaccine may be made available directly to
state immunization programs through the VFC program without additional cost
to the programs, or manufacturers may "borrow against" the stockpile for
non-VFC populations. Influenza vaccine for non-VFC populations will not be
free of cost to vaccine providers.
INFLUENZA VACCINE DISTRIBUTION AND ADMINISTRATION
2004 Influenza Vaccination Recommendations of the Advisory Committee on
Immunization Practices (ACIP)
Recommendations have been broadened to protect more people from influenza.
- CDC has adopted the following new
recommendations beginning with the 2004-05 season.
- Children 6 months to 23 months of age
should be vaccinated annually against influenza.
- Household contacts and out-of-home
caregivers of children 0 to 23 months of age should be vaccinated
annually to prevent these contacts from infecting young children with
influenza.
Other changes from last year's
recommendations include the composition of the influenza vaccine for the
2004-2005 season and clarification about the use of live, attenuated
influenza vaccine in health care workers and close contacts of severely
immunosuppressed persons. In addition, women who will be pregnant during the
influenza season are recommended for vaccination at any stage of pregnancy.
Review ACIP recommendations at
www.cdc.gov/mmwr/pdf/rr/rr5306.pdf
Medicare Payment for Influenza Vaccine Purchase and Administration
Medicare payment rates for influenza vaccine and its administration will be
posted by late September by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services
(CMS) at
www.cms.hhs.gov/medlearn/refimmu.asp
MedImmune Modifies Marketing Strategy for FluMist
MedImmune selected Henry Schein as its exclusive U.S. distributor of FluMist
for the upcoming influenza season. MedImmune will oversee all sales and
marketing activities with special emphasis on pediatricians and pharmacies.
In addition to selling FluMist, Henry Schein will respond to customer
product inquiries, process returns, and promote the product through
marketing initiatives to primary care physicians. Distribution of FluMist
will be handled through MedImmune's distribution center in Louisville,
Kentucky, a regulated facility that maintains the FluMist cold chain.
MedImmune has significantly reduced the price of FluMist for the 2004–2005
flu season.
Prioritization of Influenza Vaccine to High Risk Patients
As the United States influenza vaccine supply is expected to be adequate by
October, at present CDC does not envision any need for tiered vaccination
recommendations for this upcoming season. Thus, no prioritization of vaccine
for those at higher risk of complications from influenza is recommended;
however, strong recommendations to immunize those at high risk of
complications from influenza continue.
For additional information, visit
www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm5337a7.htm
INFLUENZA VACCINE COMMUNICATIONS AND RESOURCES
Meeting Summary--Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP)
ACIP met on June 23-24, 2004. Their agenda included discussions about
influenza vaccine supply, influenza surveillance (see the update on
influenza activity published in MMWR on July 2, referenced below under
Resource Materials), influenza vaccine effectiveness (new data now published
in MMWR on August 13; see reference below), a report on the Influenza
Vaccine Summit meeting in April 2004, the priming dose of influenza vaccine
for children less than 9 years of age, vaccination of health care workers,
and pandemic influenza preparedness. The meeting minutes will be available
at
www.cdc.gov/nip/ACIP/minutes.htm later this year.
Resource Materials
- "Improving Influenza Vaccination Rates
in Health Care Workers: Strategies to Increase Protection for Workers
and Patients"
This 21-page monograph, released by the National Foundation for
Infectious Diseases (NFID), is an all-inclusive report that includes
detailed information about influenza immunization rates among health
care workers and provides strategies health care institutions can use to
improve annual influenza immunization rates among employees.
You may download the entire Call to Action at
www.nfid.org/publications/hcwmonograph.pdf
- "Kids Need Flu Vaccine, Too!"
Now available online is the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases
(NFID) "Kids Need Flu Vaccine, Too!" practice resources program at
www.nfid.org (Click on the image
at the top, right side of the screen.) Features include helpful
information and educational materials for conducting pediatric influenza
immunization programs.
- Review and print influenza Vaccine
Information Statements.
- Review recently published Morbidity
and Mortality Weekly Reports (MMWRs) related to influenza by clicking
on the following links.
- "Assessment of the Effectiveness of
the 2003-04 Influenza Vaccine Among Children and Adults--Colorado,
2003" MMWR August 13, 2004; 53 (31):707-710,
www.cdc.gov/mmwr/pdf/wk/mm5331.pdf
- "Update: Influenza Activity--United
States and Worldwide, 2003-04 Season, and Composition of the 2004-05
Influenza Vaccine" MMWR July 2, 2004; 53(25):547-552,
www.cdc.gov/mmwr/PDF/wk/mm5325.pdf
- "Prevention and Control of
Influenza: Recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization
Practices (ACIP)" MMWR May 28, 2004; 53(RR-06)
www.cdc.gov/mmwr/pdf/rr/rr5306.pdf
- 2004-05 Influenza campaign materials
are now available online. Visit the Flu Gallery on the CDC Flu
website to download and print influenza-related patient and provider
education materials at
www.cdc.gov/flu/professionals/flugallery
- Refer to previous bulletins at
www.cdc.gov/flu/professionals/flubulletin.htm Individual
subscriptions to the bulletin should be emailed to
listserv@listerv.cdc.gov
Type "subscribe flu-serv" in the body of the email.
UPCOMING EVENTS
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To obtain a ready-to-copy (PDF) version of Influenza Vaccine Bulletin #3
from CDC's influenza web section, go to:
http://www.cdc.gov/nip/flu/bulletins-flu/2004-05/bulletin3_092404.pdf
To access a web-text (HTML) version of it, go to:
http://www.cdc.gov/flu/professionals/flubulletin.htm
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October 4, 2004
ACT NOW: FREE BULK COPIES OF THE LATEST ISSUE OF "VACCINATE WOMEN" (AUGUST
2004) WILL GO FAST
The Immunization Action Coalition (IAC) is giving away bulk copies (up to 50
per request) of the September 2004 issue of "VACCINATE WOMEN."
If you have an immunization conference or an educational program coming up
for health professionals who work in women's health, this 12-page
publication is an excellent item to distribute. "Vaccinate Women" is written
for health professionals. IT IS NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO THE PUBLIC.
The August issue includes information about the new ACIP recommendation to
vaccinate all pregnant women against influenza during the upcoming influenza
season, regardless of their stage of pregnancy. It also includes timely
information about the importance of vaccinating health care workers against
influenza.
Because supplies are limited, it's best to
make your request right away. The free copies go quickly. Sorry, we can mail
orders only to addresses within the United States.
To request copies, fill out the online form on IAC's website:
http://www.immunize.org/freeoffer
You will be asked to supply the following information:
- The number of copies you want (maximum 50)
- A description of how you plan to use the copies
- Your name and complete contact information, including mailing
address, telephone number, and email address
For further information, please email
admin@immunize.org
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October 4, 2004
NOVEMBER 19 IS THE DEADLINE FOR ABSTRACTS FOR CDC'S 2005
NATIONAL IMMUNIZATION CONFERENCE
November 19 is the deadline for submitting abstracts for CDC's
2005 National Immunization Conference, which will be held in
Washington, DC, on March 21-24, 2005. The deadline for early-bird registration ($150) is January 28. The deadline for regular
registration ($175) is March 4.
Abstracts must be submitted online. To access submission
guidelines, go to: http://www.cdc.gov/nip/nic/#abstract For general conference information, including conference goals
and objectives and registration, go to:
http://www.cdc.gov/nip/nic
For additional information, contact the conference planning team
at (404) 639-8225 or nipnic@cdc.gov
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October 4, 2004
NEW: "THE VACCINE HANDBOOK" IS NOW AVAILABLE FOR PDAs
"The Vaccine Handbook: A Practical Guide for Clinicians" is now
available as a PDA (personal digital assistant) reference for
Palm OS; Windows, CE; and Pocket PC handheld devices.
This convenient PDA reference offers clinicians practical, up-to-date guidelines on proper use of vaccines. Users can quickly
get detailed information on all vaccines currently recommended
for infants and children, travelers, and individuals in special
circumstances. Vaccines are presented individually, with
information given on the disease and its epidemiology, the
vaccine's efficacy and safety, and the practical questions most
frequently asked. Clinicians will find answers to specific
parental concerns and guidelines on problems such as allergies,
breastfeeding, dosing intervals and missed vaccines, and
immunocompromised individuals. The handbook is written by Gary
S. Marshall, MD, Penelope H. Dennehy, MD, David P. Greenberg,
MD, Paul A. Offit, MD, and Tina Q. Tan, MD.
The handbook for PDAs costs $49.95; for additional information
and to order online, go to:
http://www.lww.com/product/?0-7817-3792-3
The handbook is also available as a soft-cover book for $39.95;
for additional information or to order online, go to:
http://www.lww.com/product/?0-7817-3569-6
To order by phone, or for additional information, call customer
service at (800) 638-3030.
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October 4, 2004
CDC REPORTS ON EMERGENCY MEASLES CONTROL ACTIVITIES IN DARFUR,
SUDAN, DURING 2004
CDC published "Emergency Measles Control Activities--Darfur,
Sudan, 2004" in the October 1 issue of MMWR. A summary made
available to the press is reprinted below in its entirety.
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Measles control is a priority health intervention in areas
affected by conflict, and in these situations a collaborative
effort by stakeholders can lead to a successful mass vaccination
campaign, thereby rapidly reducing measles transmission.
The Darfur region in Sudan is in the midst of a civil conflict
with population displacement and disruption of public health
infrastructure. Since March 2004, measles outbreaks with high
case fatality have been reported in the region. In response, the
Federal Ministry of Health in Sudan, in partnership with
international agencies, conducted a mass measles vaccination
campaign targeting children aged 9 months-15 years in Darfur.
The campaign vaccinated over 75 percent of the target population
of 2.6 million children and resulted in a decrease in reported
measles cases. This demonstrates that adequate planning and
collaboration between stakeholders can result in a successful
vaccination campaign in a conflict-affected area. Lessons
learned in Darfur will be useful in planning measles control
activities in other such situations.
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To access a web-text (HTML) version of the complete article, go
to: http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm5338a3.htm
To access a ready-to-copy (PDF) version of this issue of MMWR,
go to: http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/PDF/wk/mm5338.pdf
To receive a FREE electronic subscription to MMWR (which
includes new ACIP statements), go to:
http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/mmwrsubscribe.html |
