Issue
Number 510
February 7, 2005
CONTENTS OF THIS ISSUE
- New feature: IAC Express now offers its readers a link
to the web version of the current issue
- Reminder: Be sure to register for CDC's satellite
broadcast Epidemiology and Prevention of Vaccine-Preventable Diseases
- Register for NIC and take time to plan your conference
participation using the new NIC Track System
- New: Special training will be held after NIC for
National Immunization Coalition TA members
- New: HAN issues an official CDC Health Update about
avian influenza
- Updated: CDC continues to supplement its Influenza web
section
- New: Scripts and slides now available from CDC's net
conference on Varicella Case-Based Reporting
- Teleconference on planning and implementing an
immunization event for the public is scheduled for February 22
- CDC reports on a polio outbreak in Sudan in 2004
- Spring 2005 Phacilitate Vaccine Forum scheduled for May
23-25 in Amsterdam
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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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February 7, 2005
NEW FEATURE: IAC EXPRESS NOW OFFERS ITS READERS A LINK TO THE WEB VERSION OF
THE CURRENT ISSUE
On January 31, IAC Express began offering its readers a link to the web
version of the current issue. The link is located directly above the table
of contents. Once in the web version, readers can go directly to any article
by clicking on the article title in the table of contents.
Check it out by scrolling up from this article to the top of the table of
contents. Then, cut and paste, or click on the link that begins, "A web page
version . . ."
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February 7, 2005
REMINDER: BE SURE TO REGISTER FOR CDC'S SATELLITE BROADCAST EPIDEMIOLOGY AND
PREVENTION OF VACCINE-PREVENTABLE DISEASES
CDC's National Immunization Program and the Public Health Training Network (PHTN)
will present a live, four-part satellite broadcast series, Epidemiology and
Prevention of Vaccine-Preventable Diseases. Broadcasts are scheduled for
February 17 and 24, and March 3 and 10 from 12 noon to 3:30PM ET.
A complete list of resources for each session of the series was recently
posted at the following link: http://www.cdc.gov/nip/ed/EpiVacLinks.htm In
addition, two days before each session's broadcast, CDC will post a case
study at the same link.
To access comprehensive information about the series (i.e., content of each
session, series objectives, faculty and audience, continuing education
credit, webcast information, satellite technical specifications,
registration, course materials, and self-study programs), go to:
http://www.phppo.cdc.gov/PHTN//epv05/default.asp
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February 7, 2005
REGISTER FOR NIC AND TAKE TIME TO PLAN YOUR CONFERENCE PARTICIPATION USING
THE NEW NIC TRACK SYSTEM
This year's National Immunization Conference (NIC) is scheduled for March
21-24 in Washington, DC. The regular registration rate of $175 remains in
effect until March 4; after that date, the rate increases to $200. To
register online, go to:
http://conferences.taskforce.org/2005NIC/2005NIC.htm
NIC TRACK SYSTEM
This year, the conference program has been organized into a Track System
that comprises these topics: (1) adult immunization; (2) epidemiology
(including surveillance, assessment, evaluation, CASA, NIS, etc.); (3)
health communications (including education, health promotion, media,
community outreach, etc.); (4) immunization registries; (5) programmatic
issues (including program operations, policy, funding, VFC, AFIX, managed
care, etc.); and (6) vaccine safety.
The conference program is divided into one-hour segments, each of which
gives conference attendees the choice of going to a plenary session or to
one of five workshops. During each segment, topics from each of the tracks
will be addressed. Conference attendees will have the option of following a
single track throughout the conference or choosing to attend plenaries and
workshops from several different tracks.
NIC's conference planning team recommends that attendees plan their time at
the conference in advance, using the online Draft Conference Agenda as a
guide. The team also urges attendees to arrive early at the plenaries/workshops
that interest them most, because seating at all sessions is on a first-come,
first-served basis.
The Draft Conference Agenda is subject to change without notice; to access
it, go to:
http://cdc.confex.com/cdc/nic2005/techprogram/meeting_nic2005.htm
Scroll down to find each day's program and to learn which plenaries and
workshops are offered for the track(s) that interest you.
GENERAL INFORMATION
For comprehensive information about the conference, go to:
http://www.cdc.gov/nip/nic
For additional information, contact the conference planning team by phone at
(404) 639-8225 or by email at
NIPNIC@cdc.gov
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February 7, 2005
NEW: SPECIAL TRAINING WILL BE HELD AFTER NIC FOR NATIONAL IMMUNIZATION
COALITION TA MEMBERS
The Academy for Educational Development (AED) has scheduled a special
training event for members of the National Immunization Coalition TA
[technical assistance] Network after the National Immunization Conference
adjourns. FEBRUARY 9 IS THE REGISTRATION DEADLINE FOR THE EVENT.
Scheduled from 1PM to 5PM ET on March 24, the event will include three
workshops (held simultaneously) on the following topics:
- Forming and maintaining effective
partnerships
- Elements of effective program evaluation
- Recruiting and engaging providers for your
coalition
To receive workshop descriptions, a
registration form, and other information, contact Katherine Shrout at
kshrout@aed.org or (202) 884-8652.
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February 7, 2005
NEW: HAN ISSUES AN OFFICIAL CDC HEALTH UPDATE ABOUT AVIAN INFLUENZA
On February 4, the Health Alert Network (HAN) issued a health update on
avian influenza. A portion of the update is reprinted below.
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This update reviews (1) the current epidemiologic situation in Asia and
(2) the U.S. surveillance, laboratory diagnostic, and infection control
recommendations for avian influenza A (H5N1), which were most recently
stated in August 2004. As detailed in the recommendations below,
identification of possible imported cases of avian influenza A (H5N1) in
the U.S. clinical setting depends on healthcare providers consistently
obtaining information on recent international travel and other potential
exposures from persons who have certain respiratory symptoms.
Current Situation
Outbreaks of avian influenza A (H5N1) among poultry are ongoing in several
countries in Asia, including Thailand, Vietnam, and Cambodia. Reports of
sporadically occurring human cases of influenza A (H5N1) continued through
January 2005. Thailand reported five human cases of influenza H5N1 (with
four deaths) in September and October 2004, but no additional cases to
date. Thirteen human cases of influenza A (H5N1) infection (with 12
deaths) have been reported by Vietnam since mid-December 2004; WHO has
reported that 10 of these cases (with 9 deaths) have been confirmed.
One instance of probable limited human-to-human transmission of influenza
A (H5N1) virus was reported in Thailand between a child and her mother and
aunt in September 2004. Health authorities in Vietnam are investigating
two possible instances of limited human-to-human transmission in family
clusters. One instance involves two brothers in Vietnam with confirmed
influenza A (H5N1) infections; a third brother was hospitalized for
observation only and did not become ill. In the second instance, a
daughter developed symptoms within 6 days of her mother's onset of
illness, which was confirmed as influenza A (H5N1). Investigations are
exploring possible sources of exposure and looking for other signs of
illness in family members, other close contacts, and the general
community.
In addition, the first human case of influenza H5 infection in Cambodia
has been confirmed in a woman who was hospitalized in Vietnam and died. A
joint mission between the Cambodian Ministries of Health and Agriculture
and WHO is in Cambodia investigating the circumstances surrounding this
case.
As of February 4, 2005, the cumulative number of confirmed human cases of
influenza A (H5N1) reported in Asia since January 28, 2004, is 55 cases
(with 42 deaths), according to WHO. This total includes the case from
Cambodia.
The avian influenza A (H5N1) epizootic in Asia poses an important public
health threat, and CDC is in communication with WHO and will continue to
monitor the situation. The epizootic in Asia is not expected to diminish
substantially in the short term, and it is likely that influenza A (H5N1)
infection among birds has become endemic to the region and that human
infections will continue to occur. So far, no sustained human-to-human
transmission of the influenza A (H5N1) virus has been identified, and no
influenza A (H5N1) viruses containing both human and avian influenza virus
genes, indicative of gene reassortment, have been detected. . . .
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To access the complete update, go to:
http://www.phppo.cdc.gov/HAN/ArchiveSys/ViewMsgV.asp?AlertNum=00221
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February 7, 2005
UPDATED: CDC CONTINUES TO SUPPLEMENT ITS INFLUENZA WEB SECTION
CDC recently posted the following updated information to its Influenza web
section.
(1) Updated in English on January 27, Fact Sheet: Key Facts About Flu
Vaccine is now available in Spanish, Vietnamese, Chinese, and Tagalog.
To access a ready-to-print (PDF) version of it in SPANISH, go to:
http://www.cdc.gov/flu/protect/espanol/pdf/preventing.pdf
To access a web-text (HTML) version of it in SPANISH, go to:
http://www.cdc.gov/flu/protect/espanol/preventing.htm
To access a ready-to-print (PDF) version of it in VIETNAMESE, go to:
http://www.cdc.gov/flu/protect/vie/pdf/vaccinekeyfacts-vietnamese.pdf
To access a ready-to-print (PDF) version of it in CHINESE, go to:
http://www.cdc.gov/flu/protect/chi/pdf/vaccinekeyfacts-chinese.pdf
To access a ready-to-print (PDF) version of it in TAGALOG, go to:
http://www.cdc.gov/flu/protect/tgl/pdf/vaccinekeyfacts-tagalog.pdf
To access a ready-to-print (PDF) version of it in ENGLISH, go to:
http://www.cdc.gov/flu/protect/pdf/vaccinekeyfacts.pdf
To access a web-text (HTML) version of it in ENGLISH, go to:
http://www.cdc.gov/flu/protect/keyfacts.htm
(2) Updated in English on January 27, Fact Sheet: Who Should Get Flu
Vaccine This Season is now available in Spanish, Vietnamese, and Tagalog.
To access a ready-to-print (PDF) version of it in SPANISH, go to:
http://www.cdc.gov/flu/protect/espanol/pdf/0405shortage.pdf
To access a web-text (HTML) version of it in SPANISH, go to:
http://www.cdc.gov/flu/protect/espanol/0405shortage.htm
To access a ready-to-print (PDF) version of it in VIETNAMESE go to:
http://www.cdc.gov/flu/protect/vie/pdf/0405shortage.pdf
To access a ready-to-print (PDF) version of it in TAGALOG, go to:
http://www.cdc.gov/flu/protect/tgl/pdf/0405shortage.pdf
To access a ready-to-print (PDF) version of it in ENGLISH, go to:
http://www.cdc.gov/flu/protect/pdf/0405shortage.pdf
To access a web-text (HTML) version of it in ENGLISH, go to:
http://www.cdc.gov/flu/protect/0405shortage.htm
On January 31, the case count was updated on the web page Recent Avian
Influenza Outbreaks in Asia. To access it, go to:
http://www.cdc.gov/flu/avian/outbreaks/asia.htm
For ongoing information about new and updated materials on CDC's Influenza
web section, go to:
http://www.cdc.gov/flu/whatsnew.htm
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February 7, 2005
NEW: SCRIPTS AND SLIDES NOW AVAILABLE FROM CDC'S NET CONFERENCE ON
VARICELLA CASE-BASED REPORTING
CDC has recently posted on its website scripts, PowerPoint slides, and
videos archived from its net conference on Varicella Case-Based Reporting,
which was held on January 19. To access the archived material, go to:
http://www.cdc.gov/nip/ed/ciinc/January_05.htm
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February 7, 2005
TELECONFERENCE ON PLANNING AND IMPLEMENTING AN IMMUNIZATION EVENT FOR THE
PUBLIC IS SCHEDULED FOR FEBRUARY 22
The National Immunization Coalition TA [technical assistance] Network has
scheduled a teleconference on how to plan and implement an immunization
event for the public. It will be held at 1PM ET on February 22. The
network is a program of the Center for Health Communication, Academy for
Educational Development.
The teleconference facilitators are Melissa Ely Moore, CDC public health
advisor, Los Angeles County Immunization Program, and Michelle Basket,
Office of Health Communications, NIP/CDC.
The facilitators will offer practical, hands-on information on event
planning and implementation, including an overview of CDC resources for
the upcoming National Infant Immunization Week. Other topics will include
(1) forming an event planning committee, (2) selecting a venue, (3)
options for organizing a standout immunization event, and (4) effective
and efficient tactics for promoting an event.
To register for the teleconference, email
Katherine Shrout at kshrout@aed.org
In your email, include this message: "Sign me up for the Event Planning TA
call."
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February 7, 2005
CDC REPORTS ON A POLIO OUTBREAK IN SUDAN IN 2004
CDC published "Progress Toward Poliomyelitis Eradication--Poliomyelitis
Outbreak in Sudan, 2004" in the February 4 issue of MMWR. A portion of a
summary made available to the press is reprinted below.
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Since 1998, Sudan has made substantial progress eradicating polio; no wild
PV [poliovirus] has been reported from May 2001-April 2004. However, in
May 2004, a wild PV case was detected in West Darfur, and a polio outbreak
is currently affecting 17 of 26 states with a total of 112 cases reported
as of January 14, 2005 (109 PV1 [poliovirus strain 1] and 3 PV3
[poliovirus strain 3]). The epidemic curve suggests a waning of the
outbreak; the last case reported had paralysis onset December 14. The
global eradication initiative should increase efforts to stop transmission
in Sudan to prevent further spread into neighboring countries. The
outbreak illustrates the risk of wild PV importation posed by areas where
polio remains hyperendemic, such as northern Nigeria, and underscores the
importance of continued SIAs [supplementary immunization activities] in
polio-free countries with low routine immunization coverage and the need
to ensure high quality AFP [acute flaccid paralysis] surveillance
throughout the country.
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To access a web-text (HTML) version of the complete article, go to:
http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm5404a4.htm
To access a ready-to-copy (PDF) version of this issue of MMWR, go to:
http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/PDF/wk/mm5404.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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February 7, 2005
SPRING 2005 PHACILITATE VACCINE FORUM SCHEDULED FOR MAY 23-25 IN AMSTERDAM
The Spring 2005 Phacilitate Vaccine Forum will be held in Amsterdam May
23-25. To view the full agenda, go to:
http://www.phacilitate.co.uk/pages/spring_vaccine/agenda.html
For registration information, go to:
http://www.phacilitate.co.uk/pages/spring_vaccine/register.html
For additional information, email
team@phacilitate.co.uk or
call +44(0)20 7839 6137. |
