Issue
Number 520
April 11, 2005
CONTENTS OF THIS ISSUE
- New: CDC issues interim VIS for meningococcal vaccine
- New: Comprehensive Vaccine Storage and Handling Toolkit
now available on the NIP website
- 50th anniversary of the discovery of polio vaccine
inspires exhibits, events, and articles
- New: NIIW PSAs for television stations will be available
by satellite downlink on April 12 and 14
- CDC issues an update on U.S. influenza activity for the
2004-05 season
- Conference on the Public's Health & the Law in the 21st
Century is set for June 13-15 in Atlanta
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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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April 11, 2005
NEW: CDC ISSUES INTERIM VIS FOR MENINGOCOCCAL VACCINE
On April 4, NIP posted an interim VIS for meningococcal vaccine. Dated
4/4/05, the VIS replaces the previous meningococcal VIS dated 7/28/03. The
VIS was substantially revised to reflect information about the newly
licensed meningococcal conjugate vaccine (MCV4; trade name Menactra). The
7/28/03 VIS reflected information about meningococcal polysaccharide vaccine
only (MPSV4; trade name Menomune).
The 7/28/03 VIS is still valid for Menomune, and providers can continue to
use it if they wish. The 4/4/05 VIS, however, is valid for Menomune and
Menactra; it MUST be used for Menactra.
It is anticipated that meningococcal vaccine will be added to the Vaccine
Injury Compensation Program later in 2005. When that happens, the 4/4/05
interim VIS will be republished with a new date.
To access a ready-to-print (PDF) version of the 4/4/05 VIS from the NIP
website, go to:
http://www.cdc.gov/nip/publications/VIS/vis-mening.pdf
To access a ready-to-print (PDF) version of it from the IAC website, go to:
http://www.immunize.org/vis/menin05.pdf
For information about the use of VISs, and for VISs in a total of 32
languages, visit IAC's VIS web section at
http://www.immunize.org/vis
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April 11, 2005
NEW: COMPREHENSIVE VACCINE STORAGE AND HANDLING TOOLKIT NOW AVAILABLE ON THE
NIP WEBSITE
On March 29, NIP posted a new professional-education resource on its
website. Titled Vaccine Storage and Handling Toolkit, it features 11
chapters of information, numerous online resources, and two videos, How to
Protect Your Vaccine Supply (2003 version) and 10 Top Vaccine Storage and
Handling Errors. Note: How to Protect Your Vaccine Supply is currently being
updated for 2005 and will be available later this year.
To access the toolkit, go to:
http://www2a.cdc.gov/nip/isd/shtoolkit/splash.html
The toolkit requires Windows Media 9 Player, Macromedia Flash 7 Player, and
Acrobat Reader 6, all of which can be installed at no charge. For
installation information, go to:
http://www2a.cdc.gov/nip/isd/shtoolkit/helpinstall.html
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April 11, 2005
50TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE DISCOVERY OF POLIO VACCINE INSPIRES EXHIBITS,
EVENTS, AND ARTICLES
Tuesday, April 12, 2005, is the 50th anniversary of the day microbiologist
Dr. Thomas Francis Jr. addressed a crowd in an auditorium at the University
of Michigan in Ann Arbor. Francis, who directed the field studies of the
polio vaccine, told the crowd that a team of scientists led by Jonas Salk
had perfected a vaccine that prevented all three types of poliomyelitis
virus. "The vaccine works," Francis said. "It's safe, effective, and
potent."
Universities and the Smithsonian Institution are marking this historic
occasion with exhibits, events, and articles. Following is information about
some of them, as well as links to other polio-related resources.
UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN RESOURCES
The site of the Salk vaccine field trials, the University of Michigan is
centering its commemorative events on the presentation of the Thomas Francis
Jr. Medal in Global Public Health.
To access information about the medal, the field trials, and an extensive
listing of links to related resources within and beyond the University of
Michigan, go to:
http://www.polio.umich.edu
UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH RESOURCES
The University of Pittsburgh, where the vaccine was discovered, offers
resources on a polio web page, Remembering Polio: Celebrating the 50th
Anniversary of the Salk Polio Vaccine. To access it, go to:
http://www.polio.pitt.edu
To access The Shot Heard Round the World, an interactive timeline about the
history of polio and the development of the vaccine, go to:
http://museum.pharmacy.pitt.edu/salk
SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION EXHIBIT AND ARTICLES
Exhibit. On April 12, "Whatever Happened to Polio?" a yearlong exhibit,
opens at the Smithsonian's National Museum of American History. It tells the
story of the U.S. polio epidemic, the vaccine's development, current global
efforts to stop polio transmission, and polio survivors. Highlights include
a working miniature iron lung and a pair of Franklin D. Roosevelt's leg
braces. Constructed on the principles of Universal Design, the exhibit
exceeds current federal standards for disability accessibility.
To access information about the exhibit, click
here. Articles. In anticipation
of the 50th anniversary, Smithsonian magazine published two articles,
Conquering Polio (published April 2005) and Mission Impossible (published
February 2003).
To access Conquering Polio in ready-to-print (PDF) format, click
here. To access Mission
Impossible in ready-to-print (PDF) format, click
here. "END OF POLIO"
PHOTOMONTAGE
In the "End of Polio," Brazilian photographer Sebastiao Salgado tells the
story of third-world efforts to eradicate polio. To access his photographs,
go to: http://www.endofpolio.org
ROTARY INTERNATIONAL POLIO PLUS PROGRAM
In 1985, Rotary International launched the Polio Plus program to protect
children worldwide from the consequences of polio. Working with partner
agencies such as WHO, UNICEF, and CDC, the program has achieved a 99 percent
reduction in the number of global polio cases.
To access information about Polio Plus, go to:
http://www.rotary.org/foundation/polioplus
CDC'S STOP (STOP TRANSMISSION OF POLIO) TEAMS
Health professionals interested in working to eradicate polio are eligible
for three-month non-salaried field assignments as part of CDC's STOP Teams.
For comprehensive information, go to:
http://www.cdc.gov/nip/global/stopteam.htm
MMWR NOTICE TO READERS
In the April 8 issue of MMWR, CDC notified readers about the anniversary. To
access a web-text (HTML) version of "Notice to Readers: 50th Anniversary of
the First Effective Polio Vaccine--April 12, 2005," go to:
http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm5413a5.htm
IAC RESOURCES
Two IAC websites, (www.immunize.org
and
www.vaccineinformation.org), offer health professionals and the
public an array of resources, including journal articles, recommendations,
state laws, case histories, photos, and more. To access them, go to:
http://www.immunize.org/polio
To access photos related to polio, go to:
http://www.vaccineinformation.org/polio/photos.asp
To access videos related to polio, including three gripping public service
announcements from UNICEF, go to:
http://www.vaccineinformation.org/video/polio.asp
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April 11, 2005
NEW: NIIW PSAs FOR TELEVISION STATIONS WILL BE AVAILABLE BY SATELLITE
DOWNLINK ON APRIL 12 AND 14
National Infant Immunization Week (NIIW) will be held April 24-30, in
conjunction with the Pan American Health Organization's Vaccination Week in
the Americas (VWA), scheduled for April 23-30.
On April 12 and April 14, NIP will be making English- and Spanish-language
television PSAs (public service announcements) available to television
stations by satellite downlink. The satellite feed is intended to make it
easier for television stations to receive broadcast-quality PSAs. NIP
encourages those involved in promoting NIIW in their communities to
publicize the airing of the PSA to their local television stations by
providing them with detailed satellite downlink information. To access this
information, go to:
http://www.cdc.gov/nip/events/niiw/2005/05psa.htm#dl
Related resources, technical assistance teleconferences, were held March 29
and March 31. They are intended to educate program coordinators, health
departments, coalitions, and others about the 2005 English and
Spanish-language infant immunization campaign materials, television PSA
satellite downlinks, and tips for local placement of NIIW campaign
materials, especially through minority media outlets. To access materials
from the teleconferences, go to:
http://www.cdc.gov/nip/events/niiw/2005/05teleconference.htm
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April 11, 2005
CDC ISSUES AN UPDATE ON U.S. INFLUENZA ACTIVITY FOR THE 2004-05 SEASON
CDC published "Update: Influenza Activity--United States, 2004-05 Season" in
the April 8 issue of MMWR. Portions of the article and the Editorial Note
are reprinted below.
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[From the article text]
This report summarizes influenza activity in the United States during
October 3, 2004-March 26, 2005, updates the previous summary, and describes
the composition of the 2005-06 influenza vaccine. Influenza activity was
moderate in the United States overall, but varied by region. Preliminary
data collected through the seven components of the CDC Influenza
Surveillance System indicate that national influenza activity peaked in
early-February. . . .
COMPOSITION OF THE 2005-06 INFLUENZA VACCINE
The Food and Drug Administration's Vaccines and Related Biological Products
Advisory Committee has recommended that the 2005-06 trivalent influenza
vaccine for the United States contain A/New Caledonia/20/99-like (H1N1),
A/California/7/ 2004-like (H3N2), and B/Shanghai/361/2002-like viruses. This
recommendation was based on antigenic analyses of recently isolated
influenza viruses, epidemiologic data, and postvaccination serologic studies
in humans. Because of the growth properties of A/New Caledonia/20/99 (H1N1)
and B/Jangsu/10/2003 viruses, U.S. vaccine manufacturers will retain these
antigenically equivalent strains for the inactivated vaccine. B/Jilin/20/2003
will be used for the live attenuated vaccine. At this time, the most likely
candidate for the A/California/7/2004-like (H3N2) component will be A/New
York/55/2004 (H3N2).
[From the Editorial Note]
Influenza activity during the 2004-05 season has been moderate in the United
States. Activity steadily increased during January, peaked in mid-February,
and has declined nationwide. Numerous influenza outbreaks associated with
both influenza A and influenza B viruses have been reported in
long-term-care facilities and among school children. Influenza B viruses
have made up an increasing proportion of influenza isolates as the season
has progressed, which is not unusual.
Although influenza activity for the 2004-05 season in the United States is
declining, influenza should continue to be considered as a cause of
outbreaks of respiratory disease because viruses are still circulating and
use of antiviral drugs and other infection-control measures can
substantially reduce morbidity and mortality in such situations.
Recommendations on the use of these drugs and measures are available at
http://www.cdc.gov/flu/protect/antiviral/index.htm and
http://www.cdc.gov/flu/professionals/infectioncontrol
Based on pediatric hospitalization and mortality data collected since
October 1, 2004, hospitalization rates and the number of
influenza-associated pediatric deaths this season appear to be lower than
the 2003-04 influenza season. However, as new data become available,
cumulative rates reported for pediatric hospitalizations and the number of
pediatric deaths might continue to increase. Because data collection is
currently ongoing, any comparison of the data from this season with the
previous is premature.
Influenza surveillance reports for the United States are published weekly
during October-May and are available at
http://www.cdc.gov/flu/weekly/fluactivity.htm or through the CDC
voice ([888] 232-3228) and fax ([888] 232-3299, document number 361100)
information systems.
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To access a web-text (HTML) version of the complete article, go to:
http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm5413a2.htm
To access a ready-to-print (PDF) version of this issue of MMWR, go to:
http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/PDF/wk/mm5413.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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April 11, 2005
CONFERENCE ON THE PUBLIC'S HEALTH & THE LAW IN THE 21ST CENTURY IS SET FOR
JUNE 13-15 IN ATLANTA
Planned for June 13-15 in Atlanta, a conference on the Public's Health & the
Law in the 21st Century will feature a concurrent session on state
quarantine law and one on childhood immunization exemptions and vaccine
safety. For comprehensive information, go to:
http://www.phppo.cdc.gov/od/phlp/Conference/con2005_overview.asp |
