CONTENTS OF THIS ISSUE

1. Download the 1998 Childhood Immunization Schedule!
2. MMWR reviews information on rabies prevention
3. Download CDC'S brand new STD Guidelines and stay up to date with the newest recommendations and treatments!
4. Looking for adult and adolescent immunization resources? Look here first!
5. Before you start an immunization delivery program, why not read this guidebook?

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January 16, 1998

DOWNLOAD THE 1998 CHILDHOOD IMMUNIZATION SCHEDULE!

On January 16, 1998, the ACIP, AAP, and AAFP released the "1998 Childhood Immunization Schedule." The 1998 schedule has recommendations that are not on the 1997 schedule so make sure to get the new one. The 1998 schedule includes new recommendations for the use of MMR and polio vaccines. The second dose of MMR is now recommended at 4-6 years of age. The third dose of an all-IPV or all-OPV schedule can now be given as early as 6 months of age. Click here to download the January 16, 1998, issue of MMWR  (which contains this new schedule): http://www2.cdc.gov/mmwr/ or call your state immunization program and request a copy. Click here if you need the phone number: http://www.immunize.org/nslt.d/n18/coord18.htm

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January 16, 1998

MMWR REVIEWS INFORMATION ON RABIES PREVENTION

A sleeping person awakens to find a bat in the room and doesn't know if a bite has occurred. What do you do? What types of treatments and regimens are used for rabies post-exposure prophylaxis? These situations and more are discussed in "Human Rabies - Texas and New Jersey, 1997," an article published in the January 16, 1998, issue of MMWR. Also included in this article is a convenient table providing guidelines on rabies post-exposure prophylaxis.

In this same MMWR issue is news of the FDA approval of a new rabies vaccine, RabAvert, manufactured by Chiron. The information on this product is published as a "Notice to Readers." The MMWR that includes these rabies articles can be viewed by clicking here: http://www2.cdc.gov/mmwr/   Note: these articles are in the same issue of the MMWR as the "1998 Childhood Immunization Schedule" described above.

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January 23, 1998

DOWNLOAD CDC'S BRAND NEW STD GUIDELINES AND STAY UP TO DATE WITH THE NEWEST RECOMMENDATIONS AND TREATMENTS!

It's time to exchange your well-worn, well-used, dog-eared "1993 Sexually Transmitted Diseases Treatment Guidelines" for the brand new, just-published 1998 edition! CDC's "1998 Guidelines for Treatment of Sexually Transmitted Diseases," was published as an issue of "Recommendations and Reports," by the MMWR on January 23, 1998. This publication includes new guidelines for the management of STDs and reviews the expanded use of hepatitis A and B vaccines, who to screen for hepatitis B virus infection, new recommendations for treatment of primary and current genital herpes, new management guidelines for pelvic inflammatory disease, a new patient-applied medication for treatment of genital warts, and a revised approach to the management of victims of sexual assault. Click here http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/mmwr_rr.html to download the new guidelines from the MMWR website. Beware, if you're downloading this document, it is 120 pages in length! You can order this item from CDC by phone by calling 404-639-8063, or faxing your request to 404-639-8628, but you'll have to wait until April to receive it in the mail.

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February 2, 1998

LOOKING FOR ADULT AND ADOLESCENT IMMUNIZATION RESOURCES? LOOK HERE FIRST!

No need to call a million places looking for adult and adolescent immunization resources for your clinic! Between the covers of the "1998 Resource Guide for Adult and Adolescent Immunization" you will find a list of materials (pamphlets, brochures, newsletters, posters, reports, teaching materials, videotapes, and other promotional items such as buttons and stickers) that you can order from various organizations. An index of websites has also been included. To receive a free copy of the "1998 Resource Guide for Adult and Adolescent Immunization" mail your request to: National Coalition for Adult Immunization, "1998 Resource Guide," 4733 Bethesda Ave, Suite 750, Bethesda, MD 20814-5228, fax it to 301-907-0878, or e-mail your request to: adultimm@aol.com or click mailto:adultimm@aol.com

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February 2, 1998

BEFORE YOU START AN IMMUNIZATION DELIVERY PROGRAM, WHY NOT READ THIS GUIDEBOOK?

"Immunization Delivery: A Complete Guide" provides guidance for operating an immunization program in a variety of settings. This detailed handbook by John D. Grabenstein, MS Pharm, EdM, FASHP, includes chapters on disease, vaccinology, decision making, special situations, administration, documentation, reimbursement, legal and liability issues, professional roles, and more. This 184-page community health handbook costs $25, and is available from Facts and Comparisons, Inc., 111 West Port Plaza, St. Louis, MO 63146-3098, 1-800-223-0554.