Issue
Number 484
October 11, 2004
CONTENTS OF THIS ISSUE
- CDC publishes hard copy of the electronic version of ACIP's October 5
interim influenza vaccination recommendations
- News alert: "Current Issues in Immunization" net conference will focus
on influenza immunization and vaccine supply
- New: Provider and patient information sheets about influenza vaccine
shortage now posted on CDC's "Influenza" web section
- New: September issue of CDC's "Immunization Works" electronic
newsletter is posted on the NIP website
- New: October 2004 issue of "NEEDLE TIPS" provides lots of resources on
childhood, adolescent, and adult immunization
- New: Encourage your patients to view clips from "Fragile
Lives--Immunization at Risk" on IAC's online video library
- New translation: "Protect yourself against hepatitis A & B: A guide
for gay and bisexual men" now available in Spanish
- IAC revises its professional-education pieces "Guide to
contraindications" and "Doctors sued for failing to immunize"
- IAC revises its patient-education pieces "Are you 11-19 years old?"
and "If you were born in these places, find out your hepatitis B status"
- Massive cross-border polio vaccination campaigns are planned to
immunize 80 million African children
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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 11, 2004
CDC PUBLISHES HARD COPY OF THE ELECTRONIC VERSION OF ACIP'S OCTOBER 5
INTERIM INFLUENZA VACCINATION RECOMMENDATIONS
CDC published "Interim Influenza Vaccination Recommendations, 2004-05
Influenza Season" in the October 8 issue of MMWR. The interim
recommendations were originally published electronically in the web-based "MMWR
Dispatch" on October 5. To access a
web-text (HTML) version of the hard copy of the interim recommendations, go
to:
http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm5339a6.htm
To access a ready-to-copy (PDF) version of this issue of MMWR, go to:
http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/PDF/wk/mm5339.pdf
To receive a FREE electronic subscription to MMWR (which includes new ACIP
statements), go to:
http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/mmwrsubscribe.html
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October 11, 2004
NEWS ALERT: "CURRENT ISSUES IN IMMUNIZATION" NET CONFERENCE WILL FOCUS ON
INFLUENZA IMMUNIZATION AND VACCINE SUPPLY
On October 7, the NIP website posted information that the topics for the net
conference "Current Issues in Immunization" have been changed in response to
Chiron Corporation's announcement that its trivalent inactivated influenza
vaccine will not be available in the United States for the 2004-05 influenza
season. The net conference will now focus on influenza immunization and
influenza vaccine supply. The
conference will take place on October 14, from noon to 1PM ET, as scheduled.
The registration deadline has been extended to midnight October 13 or
whenever the course is full. Registration is required as space is limited.
To register for the conference, go to:
http://www2.cdc.gov/nip/isd/ciinc/default.asp
The program will combine a telephone audio conference and simultaneous
online visual content. Participants can join the Q&A session by telephone or
Internet. For instructions and system requirements, go to:
http://www.cdc.gov/nip/ed/ciinc/instructions.htm
For additional information, call (404) 639-8225 or go to:
http://www.cdc.gov/nip/ed/ciinc
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October 11, 2004
NEW: PROVIDER AND PATIENT INFORMATION SHEETS ABOUT INFLUENZA VACCINE
SHORTAGE NOW POSTED ON CDC'S "INFLUENZA" WEB SECTION
On October 8, CDC posted five newly developed information sheets related to
the influenza vaccine shortage on its "Influenza" web section. Following are
links to the five pieces:
FOR HEALTH PROFESSIONALS
(1) "FDA Authorization of Influenza Vaccine Redistribution: Level 3" lists
the documentation required of hospitals and other health care entities when
redistributing influenza vaccine during the current vaccine shortage. One
page. To access a web-text (HTML) version, go to:
http://www.cdc.gov/flu/professionals/vaccination/fdaredistribution.htm
(2) "Questions & Answers: 2004-05 Flu Season" answers common questions about
vaccine supply, partial doses, and more. Three pages. To access a web-text
(HTML) version, go to:
http://www.cdc.gov/flu/about/qa/0405season.htm
(3) "2004-05 Flu Vaccine Shortage: Who Should Get Vaccinated" is a fact
sheet about the shortage and who should get vaccinated this season. Two
pages. To access a web-text (HTML) version, go to:
http://www.cdc.gov/flu/protect/0405shortage.htm
To access a ready-to-copy (PDF) version, go to:
http://www.cdc.gov/flu/protect/pdf/0405shortage.pdf
FLYERS FOR PATIENTS
(4) "Who should get a flu vaccination?" outlines the priority groups for
whom influenza vaccination is recommended this season. One page. To access a
ready-to-copy version (PDF), go to:
http://www.cdc.gov/flu/professionals/flugallery/images04_05/whoshould1.pdf
"Who should get a flu vaccination? One page, with photos. To access a
ready-to-copy version (PDF), go to:
http://www.cdc.gov/flu/professionals/flugallery/images04_05/whoshould2.pdf
(5) "Vaccination is not the only way to help prevent the flu" lists actions
people can take to stop the spread of germs and protect themselves from
sickness. One page. To access a ready-to-copy version (PDF), go to:
http://www.cdc.gov/flu/professionals/flugallery/images04_05/notonlyway1.pdf
"Vaccination is not the only way to help prevent the flu" With photos. The
link to this document was not posted at the time "IAC EXPRESS" was
published.
The professional and patient pieces above are listed on the following web
page, along with other materials. Check this page frequently for new
postings:
http://www.cdc.gov/flu/protect/vaccineshortage.htm
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October 11, 2004
NEW: SEPTEMBER ISSUE OF CDC'S "IMMUNIZATION WORKS" ELECTRONIC NEWSLETTER IS
POSTED ON THE NIP WEBSITE
The September issue of "Immunization Works," a monthly email newsletter
published by CDC, is available on NIP's website. The newsletter offers
members of the immunization community non-proprietary information about
current topics. CDC encourages its wide dissemination.
Some of the information in the September issue has already appeared in
previous issues of "IAC EXPRESS." Following is the text of five articles we
have not covered.
PLEASE NOTE: The September issue of "Immunization Works" was published
before CDC published "Interim Influenza Vaccination Recommendations, 2004-05
Influenza Season" on October 5. To access the interim recommendations,
please refer to "IAC EXPRESS" article #1 above. For additional information
about the interim recommendations, see the "IAC EXPRESS: Extra Edition" of
October 6 at
http://www.immunize.org/genr.d/issue483.htm
The interim recommendations take precedence over previously published
recommendations. Consequently, much of the information given in a section of
the September "Immunization Works" titled "2004-05 Influenza Season Begins"
is now obsolete. The editors of "IAC EXPRESS" have deleted obsolete
information from the text of the "Immunization Works" material reprinted
below.
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2004-05 INFLUENZA SEASON BEGINS: . . . . There are 2 types of influenza
vaccine: an injectable "flu shot" and a nasal-spray vaccine. The flu shot
contains killed virus. It is approved for use in people older than 6 months,
including healthy people and people with chronic medical conditions. The
nasal-spray vaccine contains weakened live viruses. It is approved for use
in healthy people 5 years to 49 years of age who are not pregnant. . . .
Childhood Influenza Vaccination Coverage for the 2002-2003 Influenza Season
was also released [in the September 24 issue of MMWR] by CDC. CDC estimates
that only 4.4 percent of the nation's children aged 6-23 months were fully
vaccinated against influenza during the 2002-03 influenza season, the first
season CDC encouraged influenza vaccination for healthy children. This first
CDC report on childhood influenza vaccination coverage also estimates that
only 7.4 percent of the children aged 6 to 23 months had received at least
one dose of the vaccine. . . . For the full MMWR article, including state
coverage rates, visit
http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm5337a1.htm
OTHER IMMUNIZATION NEWS
AMERICAN LUNG ASSOCIATION OFFERS WEB-BASED DIRECTORY OF INFLUENZA
VACCINATION CLINICS: The American Lung Association [ALA] implemented a
web-based directory of influenza vaccination clinics throughout the nation
during the 2003-2004 season and the public response was overwhelming. There
were a record-setting 150 million links to the Flu Shot Directory during
October and November 2003. For the upcoming season, all local health
departments and others who have scheduled flu clinics have the opportunity
to be included in this directory by sending an email request to
findaflushot@lungusa.org A
reply to this email promptly will be sent from ALA with further
instructions. For more detailed information, visit the Lung Association Flu
Shot Directory web page at
http://www.lungusa.org/site/pp.asp?c=dvLUK9O0E&b=192108
RESPONSE TO NEUROLOGY ARTICLE ON "RECOMBINANT HEPATITIS B VACCINE AND THE
RISK OF MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS": A recently published article in the journal
"Neurology" looks at the potential link between hepatitis B vaccine and an
increased risk of multiple sclerosis (MS). The authors concluded that the
findings of the study are consistent with the hypothesis that immunization
with hepatitis B vaccine is associated with an increased risk of MS.
However, CDC agrees with the conclusion of the "Neurology" editorial
accompanying the article that "the data presented do not provide proof of an
association sufficient to implement policy changes with regard to
immunization programs." This study only looked at adults--and as noted in
the editorial accompanying the article, "the present study stands in
contra[s]t to multiple studies and expert panels that have concluded that
there is no link between hepatitis B vaccine and MS." There have been at
least seven scientific studies and four expert panels that have failed to
identify an association between hepatitis B vaccine and MS. As the
accompanying editorial states, this study has a number of important
weaknesses that greatly limit its ability to make sound conclusions. For
example, in the study, only 11 of the 163 people . . . had ever received
hepatitis B vaccine--the other 152 people with MS had never received
hepatitis B vaccine. As such, the sample size is too small to draw
definitive conclusions. Hepatitis B vaccine provides proven protection
against a virus, [which] before routine childhood immunization programs, was
estimated to infect 200,000 to 300,000 people each year in the U.S. Of
these, about 11,000 were hospitalized and 20,000 remained chronically
infected. Overall, an estimated 1.2 million people in the United States have
chronic HBV [hepatitis B virus] infection, and 4,000 to 5,000 people die
each year from hepatitis B-related chronic liver disease or liver cancer.
VAERS PROGRAM PROMOTED: 50,000 pediatricians and travel medicine physicians
throughout the U.S. recently received a letter from the CDC and the Food and
Drug Administration (FDA) seeking continued use and support of the Vaccine
Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS). This letter, along with other VAERS
resources, is available online for all health care providers and interested
parties at http://www.vaers.org VAERS is a cornerstone of U.S. immunization
safety monitoring. Although reporting of adverse events following
administration of some childhood vaccines [is] required by law, the system
is highly dependent on voluntary submission of reports by health care
providers. VAERS provides a central registry where providers can inform CDC
and FDA about adverse events that individuals may experience following
immunization. For additional information or assistance on vaccine adverse
event reporting, contact the VAERS Program at
info@vaers.org or call (800)
822-7967.
MEETINGS, CONFERENCES, AND RESOURCES
PHYSICIAN AND PHARMACIST VOLUNTEERS NEEDED: CDC is seeking people who would
like to be pilot testers for immunization training programs. These are
mostly self-study programs that can be done through a CD-ROM or over the
Internet. We are currently seeking physicians and pharmacists. The typical
pilot testing effort is to review a training program, take the evaluation,
and provide feedback. The process can take from 2 to 4 hours. Pilot testers
can obtain continuing education credits once the training program becomes
approved for CE credit. If interested, please contact Melissa Barnett at
mbarnett2@cdc.gov or
(404)639-6202.
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To access the complete September issue from the NIP website, go to:
http://www.cdc.gov/nip/news/newsltrs/imwrks/imwrks.htm and click on
the month.
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October 11, 2004
NEW: OCTOBER 2004 ISSUE OF "NEEDLE TIPS" PROVIDES LOTS OF RESOURCES ON
CHILDHOOD, ADOLESCENT, AND ADULT IMMUNIZATION
IAC recently mailed the latest issue of "NEEDLE TIPS" (October 2004) to
115,000 health professionals and others who work in the field of
immunization. Packed with immunization resources for health professionals,
patients, and parents, the 24-page issue is well worth downloading. All
articles and education pieces, except editorials, have been thoroughly
reviewed by immunization and hepatitis experts at CDC.
PLEASE NOTE: Current as of September 20, 2004, the resources in the October
"NEEDLE TIPS" do not contain the most recent information on influenza
vaccine and vaccine supply. On October 5, ACIP developed interim influenza
vaccine recommendations in response to Chiron Corporation's announcement
that its trivalent inactivated influenza vaccine will not be available in
the United States for the 2004-05 influenza season. The information in the
interim recommendations is not reflected in any of the influenza information
published in the October "NEEDLE TIPS."
HOW TO READ "NEEDLE TIPS" ON THE WEB
You can view selected articles from the table of contents below or download
the entire issue from the Web.
To view the table of contents with links to individual articles, go to:
http://www.immunize.org/nt
The PDF file of the entire issue, linked below, is large at 1.65
megabytes. Some printers cannot print such a large file. For
tips on downloading and printing PDF files, go to:
http://www.immunize.org/nslt.d/tips.htm
To download a ready-to-copy (PDF) version of the October issue,
go to: http://www.immunize.org/nslt.d/n31/n31.pdf
The articles in the October issue fall into five broad areas:
(1) general immunization information, (2) hepatitis information,
(3) influenza vaccine information, (4) childhood and adolescent
immunization resources, and (5) adult immunization resources.
(1) GENERAL IMMUNIZATION INFORMATION
ANSWERS TO PROFESSIONALS' QUESTIONS, VACCINE NEWS, AND RELIABLE
SOURCES OF IMMUNIZATION INFORMATION. In "Ask the Experts--Immunization Questions," CDC specialists answer questions about
influenza immunization and vaccine storage and handling.
"Vaccine Highlights" presents information on recommendations,
schedules, specific vaccines, and vaccine safety. Updated in
August, "Reliable Sources of Immunization Information" gives
health professionals and the public a listing of reputable
immunization websites, hotlines, books, and videos.
To access a ready-to-copy (PDF) version of "Ask the Experts--Immunization Questions," go to:
http://www.immunize.org/nslt.d/n31/expert31.pdf
To access a web-text (HTML) version, go to:
http://www.immunize.org/nslt.d/n31/expert31.htm
To access a ready-to-copy (PDF) version of "Vaccine Highlights,"
go to: http://www.immunize.org/nslt.d/n31/vaccin31.pdf
To access a web-text (HTML) version, go to:
http://www.immunize.org/nslt.d/n31/vaccin31.htm
To access a ready-to-copy (PDF) version of "Reliable Sources of
Immunization Information," go to:
http://www.immunize.org/catg.d/p4012.pdf
To access a web-text (HTML) version, go to:
http://www.immunize.org/catg.d/p4012.htm
(2) HEPATITIS INFORMATION
ANSWERS TO PROFESSIONALS' QUESTIONS AND HEPATITIS A INFORMATION
FOR PATIENTS. In "Ask the Experts--Hepatitis A and B," CDC
specialists answer a range of questions about immunization
against viral hepatitis. Updated in September, the two-page
patient education brochure "Hepatitis A is a serious liver
disease: Vaccination can protect you" succinctly explains the
disease and vaccine.
To access a ready-to-copy (PDF) version of "Ask the Experts--Hepatitis A and B," go to:
http://www.immunize.org/nslt.d/n31/expert31.pdf
To access a web-text (HTML) version, go to:
http://www.immunize.org/nslt.d/n31/expert31.htm
To access a ready-to-copy (PDF) version of "Hepatitis A is a
serious liver disease," go to:
http://www.immunize.org/catg.d/p4080a.pdf
To access a web-text (HTML) version, go to:
http://www.immunize.org/catg.d/p4080a.htm
(3) INFLUENZA VACCINE INFORMATION
PEOPLE TO VACCINATE AGAINST INFLUENZA. The following two
professional-education pieces can help health care professionals
decide whom to immunize against influenza. Remember that on
October 5, ACIP issued interim recommendations about priority
populations for receiving influenza vaccine. Information from
the interim recommendations is NOT reflected in the education
pieces that follow. To access the interim recommendations, see
article #1 above.
Updated in June, "Standing Orders for Administering Influenza
Vaccine to Adults" provides a protocol that clinics and
practices can use to implement standing orders. Updated in June,
"Give these people influenza vaccine" is a checklist of groups
for whom influenza vaccine is recommended.
To access a ready-to-copy (PDF) version of "Standing Orders for
Administering Influenza Vaccine to Adults" go to:
http://www.immunize.org/catg.d/p3074.pdf
To access a web-text (HTML) version, go to:
http://www.immunize.org/catg.d/p3074.htm
To access a ready-to-copy (PDF) version of "Give these people
influenza vaccine," go to:
http://www.immunize.org/catg.d/2013flu.pdf
To access a web-text (HTML) version, go to:
http://www.immunize.org/catg.d/2013flu.htm
(4) CHILDHOOD AND ADOLESCENT IMMUNIZATION RESOURCES
The following three articles will be particularly useful to
medical professionals who see pediatric patients.
VACCINE SAFETY NEWS, AN ACCOUNT OF A TODDLER'S DEATH FROM
COMPLICATIONS OF INFLUENZA, AND TIPS FOR PARENTS ON CARING FOR A
CHILD AFTER VACCINATION. The article "IOM Report: No Association
Between Autism and MMR Vaccine and Thimerosal-containing
Vaccines" has excerpts from an Institute of Medicine (IOM)
report that found no evidence of an association between
childhood vaccines and autism. "Unprotected people . . .
Toddler's death spurs parents to action" recounts the events
leading up to the death of an unvaccinated child from
complications of influenza in 2003. Updated in September, the
two-page parent education piece "After the shots . . . What to
do if your child has discomfort" gives parents advice about how
to care for their child, when to call a health professional, and
how to dose a child with acetaminophen or ibuprofen to reduce
pain and fever.
To access a ready-to-copy (PDF) version of "IOM Report: No
Association Between Autism and MMR Vaccine and Thimerosal-containing Vaccines," go to:
http://www.immunize.org/nslt.d/n31/iom.pdf
No web-text (HTML) version is available.
"Unprotected people . . . Toddler's death spurs parents to
action" is not available electronically. For information on
obtaining a copy, go to:
http://www.immunize.org/nslt.d/n31/story.pdf
To access a ready-to-copy (PDF) version of "After the shots
. . . What to do if your child has discomfort," go to:
http://www.immunize.org/catg.d/p4015.pdf
To access a web-text (HTML) version, go to:
http://www.immunize.org/nslt.d/n17/p4015.htm
(5) ADULT IMMUNIZATION RESOURCES
CURRENT VACCINATION RATES FOR THREE VACCINES COMMONLY GIVEN TO
ADULTS. "How's your state doing?" shows how states measure up in
providing college students with meningococcal education and/or
vaccine and residents of long-term care facilities with
influenza and pneumococcal vaccines. It also lists states that
authorize pharmacists to administer vaccines.
To access a ready-to-copy (PDF) version of "How's your state
doing?" go to:
http://www.immunize.org/nslt.d/n31/states.pdf
No web-text (HTML) version is available.
PATIENT AND PROFESSIONAL EDUCATION ABOUT ADULT IMMUNIZATION. If
you provide vaccination services to adults, the following
educational resources are pertinent. Educate your adult patients
about their lifelong need for vaccinations with the one-page
patient-education piece "Vaccinations for Adults: You're NEVER
too old to get immunized!" (updated in August). Updated in July,
the two-page professional-education piece "Summary of
Recommendations for Adult Immunization" distills hundreds of
pages of ACIP recommendations for adult immunization into a
document that can be printed on one double-sided sheet of 8-1/2"
x 11" paper.
To access a ready-to-copy (PDF) version of "Vaccinations for
Adults: You're NEVER too old to get immunized!" go to:
http://www.immunize.org/catg.d/p4030a.pdf
To access a web-text (HTML) version, go to:
http://www.immunize.org/nslt.d/n18/p4030new.htm
To access a ready-to-copy (PDF) version of "Summary of
Recommendations for Adult Immunization," go to:
http://www.immunize.org/catg.d/p2011b.pdf
To access a web-text (HTML) version, go to:
http://www.immunize.org/catg.d/p2011b.htm
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October 11, 2004
NEW: ENCOURAGE YOUR PATIENTS TO VIEW CLIPS FROM "FRAGILE LIVES—IMMUNIZATION AT RISK" ON IAC'S ONLINE VIDEO LIBRARY
The Children's Vaccine Program (CVP) at PATH recently gave IAC
permission to add segments from the film "Fragile Lives--Immunization at Risk" to IAC's online video library. "Fragile
Lives" is a documentary written, produced, and directed by Jenny
Barraclough, an award-winning filmmaker from the United Kingdom.
Scott Wittet of CVP is the executive producer; WHO and UNICEF
are production partners.
"Fragile Lives" explores the promise and challenges of
immunization worldwide. Though immunization still saves three
million young lives each year, millions more could be saved if
there were enough vaccine and enough political will to protect
all children in need. Sometimes war is the enemy of
immunization, sometimes ethnic distrust, rumors and
misinformation. But there are heroes as well--people dedicated
to bringing immunization to every child, everywhere. Filmed on
location in Africa, Asia, and Europe, "Fragile Lives--Immunization at Risk" brings to life the human face of
immunization.
To view segments of this powerful documentary in RealPlayer
format on IAC's website, go to:
http://www.vaccineinformation.org/video/cvp.asp
If you prefer, you can view the same segments in Windows Media
Player 9 on the CVP website at
http://www.childrensvaccines.org/files/fragile-lives-0405.htm
Additional video clips and films can be accessed from IAC's
video index page at http://www.vaccineinformation.org/video
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October 11, 2004
NEW TRANSLATION: "PROTECT YOURSELF AGAINST HEPATITIS A & B:
A GUIDE FOR GAY AND BISEXUAL MEN" NOW AVAILABLE IN SPANISH
A Spanish-language version of IAC's two-page patient-education
brochure "Protect Yourself against Hepatitis A and Hepatitis B
. . . A Guide for Gay and Bisexual Men" is now available.
Developed in April, the brochure educates men who have sex with
men about their increased risk for contracting hepatitis A and
hepatitis B and makes the case for getting immunized against
them.
PLEASE NOTE: The brochure is intended for a gay audience in
settings such as STD clinics and clinics for men who have sex
with men. It is not intended for routine use in all clinic
settings.
To access a ready-to-copy (PDF) version of the brochure in
Spanish, go to: http://www.immunize.org/catg.d/p4115-01.pdf
To access a web-text (HTML) version, go to:
http://www.immunize.org/catg.d/p4115-01.htm
To access a ready-to-copy (PDF) version of the brochure in
English, go to: http://www.immunize.org/catg.d/p4115.pdf
To access a web-text (HTML) version, go to:
http://www.immunize.org/catg.d/p4115.htm
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October 11, 2004
IAC REVISES ITS PROFESSIONAL-EDUCATION PIECES "GUIDE TO
CONTRAINDICATIONS" AND "DOCTORS SUED FOR FAILING TO IMMUNIZE"
In September, IAC revised two of its one-page professional
education pieces.
In "Guide to Contraindications and Precautions to Commonly Used
Vaccines in Adults," information about precautions in
administering live, attenuated influenza vaccine to the close
contacts of severely immunocompromised persons was changed.
To access a ready-to-copy (PDF) version of the revised piece, go
to: http://www.immunize.org/catg.d/p3072.pdf
No web-text (HTML) version is available.
Originally published in 1994, the article "Hospitals and Doctors
Sued for Failing to Immunize" presents seven instances of
hospitals and/or doctors being sued for failing to immunize
against VPDs. The piece remains in demand among health
professionals because so few case reports are available on the
topic.
To access a ready-to-copy (PDF) version of the reissued piece,
go to: http://www.immunize.org/catg.d/p2060law.pdf
To access a web-text (HTML) version, go to:
http://www.immunize.org/news.d/laws001.htm
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October 11, 2004
IAC REVISES ITS PATIENT-EDUCATION PIECES "ARE YOU 11-19 YEARS
OLD?" AND "IF YOU WERE BORN IN THESE PLACES, FIND OUT YOUR
HEPATITIS B STATUS"
In September, IAC revised two of its patient-education pieces.
"Are you 11-19 years old? Then you need to be vaccinated against
these serious diseases!" is intended for teens and their
parents. The information about indications for receiving
influenza and hepatitis B vaccines was changed.
To access a ready-to-copy (PDF) version of the revised piece, go
to: http://www.immunize.org/catg.d/11teens8.pdf
To access a web-text (HTML) version, go to:
http://www.immunize.org/catg.d/p4020.htm
"If you, your parents, or your children were born in any of
these places . . . give this brochure to your health care
provider and ask to find out your hepatitis B status" is a two-page brochure. Information about hepatitis B treatment was
changed.
To access a ready-to-copy (PDF) version of the revised piece, go
to: http://www.immunize.org/catg.d/p4170ref.pdf
To access a web-text (HTML) version, go to:
http://www.immunize.org/catg.d/p4170.htm
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October 11, 2004
MASSIVE CROSS-BORDER POLIO VACCINATION CAMPAIGNS ARE PLANNED TO
IMMUNIZE 80 MILLION AFRICAN CHILDREN
On October 2, UNICEF issued a press release announcing that
leaders of the African Union and African heads of state are
kicking off a series of cross-border vaccination campaigns that
will immunize more than 80 million children against polio in
sub-Saharan Africa. During October 8-12, thousands of
volunteers, health workers, and members of Rotary International
will go house to house, delivering polio vaccine to unimmunized
children. A second round of campaigns will begin November 18,
with similar activities planned throughout 2005. Ultimately,
campaigns will take place in 23 countries.
The campaigns are vital to protecting African children from a
looming polio epidemic and getting Africa's polio eradication
program back on track. Sub-Saharan Africa had made tremendous
progress in eradicating polio, stopping the disease in all but
two countries (Nigeria and Niger). Over the past 18 months,
however, 12 polio-free African countries have been re-infected
by the virus. To date in 2004, 658 African children have been
paralyzed by polio (87% of the global total).
To access the complete press release, go to:
http://www.unicef.org/media/media_24201.html |
