Issue
Number 575
January 9, 2006
CONTENTS OF THIS ISSUE
- NIP website posts the 2006 Childhood and Adolescent
Immunization Schedule and links to related materials
- New: NEJM reports on two studies indicating that
rotavirus vaccines in development are effective and safe
- CDC provides online information about the new hepatitis
B recommendations
- Act soon: Deadlines for three important CDC events are
coming up fast
- CDC updates its Influenza web section with materials on
avian and seasonal influenza
- Influenza update: CDC reports on influenza activity
during December 18-24, 2005
- February 10 is nomination deadline for the 3rd annual
"Natalie J. Smith, MD, Award"
- MMWR Quick Stats show healthcare settings that delivered
or prescribed vaccines for persons younger than 18 years in 2002-03
- New: January 6 issue of IAC's Hep Express electronic
newsletter now available online
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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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January 9, 2006
NIP WEBSITE POSTS THE 2006 CHILDHOOD AND ADOLESCENT IMMUNIZATION SCHEDULE
AND LINKS TO RELATED MATERIALS
On January 6, the NIP website posted the 2006 Childhood and Adolescent
Immunization Schedule in a variety of formats. Also posted are links to
additional information, such as changes made to the schedule since its last
release, and related documents, such as an interactive child's immunization
schedule.
To access the 2006 Childhood and Adolescent Immunization Schedule and links
to associated material, go to:
http://www.cdc.gov/nip/recs/child-schedule.htm
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January 9, 2006
NEW: NEJM REPORTS ON TWO STUDIES INDICATING THAT ROTAVIRUS VACCINES IN
DEVELOPMENT ARE EFFECTIVE AND SAFE
On January 5, the New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM) published the
results of two studies of rotavirus vaccines in development. The studies,
each of which involved more than 60,000 subjects, indicate that the vaccines
studied are effective in protecting infants against rotavirus
gastroenteritis. In addition, infants given the vaccines had the same risk
of intussusception as infants given placebo.
The article abstracts follow:
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SAFETY AND EFFICACY OF AN ATTENUATED VACCINE AGAINST SEVERE ROTAVIRUS
GASTROENTERITIS
ABSTRACT
Background. The safety and efficacy of an attenuated G1P[8] human rotavirus
(HRV) vaccine were tested in a randomized, double-blind, phase 3 trial.
Methods. We studied 63,225 healthy infants from 11 Latin American countries
and Finland who received two oral doses of either the HRV vaccine (31,673
infants) or placebo (31,552 infants) at approximately two months and four
months of age. Severe gastroenteritis episodes were identified by active
surveillance. The severity of disease was graded with the use of the
20-point Vesikari scale. Vaccine efficacy was evaluated in a subgroup of
20,169 infants (10,159 vaccinees and 10,010 placebo recipients).
Results. The efficacy of the vaccine against severe rotavirus
gastroenteritis and against rotavirus-associated hospitalization was 85
percent (P<0.001 for the comparison with placebo) and reached 100 percent
against more severe rotavirus gastroenteritis. Hospitalization for diarrhea
of any cause was reduced by 42 percent (95 percent confidence interval, 29
to 53 percent; P<0.001). During the 31-day window after each dose, six
vaccine recipients and seven placebo recipients had definite intussusception
(difference in risk, –0.32 per 10,000 infants; 95 percent confidence
interval, –2.91 to 2.18; P=0.78).
Conclusions. Two oral doses of the live attenuated G1P[8] HRV vaccine were
highly efficacious in protecting infants against severe rotavirus
gastroenteritis, significantly reduced the rate of severe gastroenteritis
from any cause, and were not associated with an increased risk of
intussusception.
*******************
To access the article abstract, go to:
http://content.nejm.org/cgi/content/abstract/354/1/11
To access the full text of the article, go to:
http://content.nejm.org/cgi/content/full/354/1/11
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SAFETY AND EFFICACY OF A PENTAVALENT HUMAN-BOVINE (WC3) REASSORTANT
ROTAVIRUS VACCINE
ABSTRACT
Background. Rotavirus is a leading cause of childhood gastroenteritis and
death worldwide.
Methods. We studied healthy infants approximately 6 to 12 weeks old who were
randomly assigned to receive three oral doses of live pentavalent
human–bovine (WC3 strain) reassortant rotavirus vaccine containing human
serotypes G1, G2, G3, G4, and P[8] or placebo at 4-to-10-week intervals in a
blinded fashion. Active surveillance was used to identify subjects with
serious adverse and other events.
Results. The 34,035 infants in the vaccine group and 34,003 in the placebo
group were monitored for serious adverse events. Intussusception occurred in
12 vaccine recipients and 15 placebo recipients within one year after the
first dose including six vaccine recipients and five placebo recipients
within 42 days after any dose (relative risk, 1.6; 95 percent confidence
interval, 0.4 to 6.4). The vaccine reduced hospitalizations and emergency
department visits related to G1–G4 rotavirus gastroenteritis occurring 14 or
more days after the third dose by 94.5 percent (95 percent confidence
interval, 91.2 to 96.6 percent). In a nested substudy, efficacy against any
G1–G4 rotavirus gastroenteritis through the first full rotavirus season
after vaccination was 74.0 percent (95 percent confidence interval, 66.8 to
79.9 percent); efficacy against severe gastroenteritis was 98.0 percent (95
percent confidence interval, 88.3 to 100 percent). The vaccine reduced
clinic visits for G1–G4 rotavirus gastroenteritis by 86.0 percent (95
percent confidence interval, 73.9 to 92.5 percent).
Conclusions. This vaccine was efficacious in preventing rotavirus
gastroenteritis, decreasing severe disease and healthcare contacts. The risk
of intussusception was similar in vaccine and placebo recipients.
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To access the article abstract, go to:
http://content.nejm.org/cgi/content/abstract/354/1/23
To access the full text of the article, go to:
http://content.nejm.org/cgi/content/full/354/1/23
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January 9, 2006
CDC PROVIDES ONLINE INFORMATION ABOUT THE NEW HEPATITIS B RECOMMENDATIONS
[The following is cross posted from IAC's Hep Express electronic newsletter,
1/6/06.]
CDC's Division of Viral Hepatitis has created a web section featuring
resources related to the new ACIP hepatitis B recommendations. The page
includes links to the following:
-
frequently asked questions about the new recommendations
-
frequently asked questions about foreign-born persons and hepatitis B
-
state perinatal hepatitis B prevention program coordinators
-
the Vaccines for Children program
-
"Progress Towards Elimination of Perinatal and Childhood Hepatitis B Virus
Infections," a PowerPoint presentation from the National Viral Hepatitis
Prevention Conference, December 7, 2005
To access this information, and more, go to:
http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/diseases/hepatitis/b/acip.htm
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January 9, 2006
ACT SOON: DEADLINES FOR THREE IMPORTANT CDC EVENTS ARE COMING UP FAST
Registration deadlines are coming up for three important CDC events that
will take place in February and March. Take a little time now to make sure
you're registered for any of the following that interest you:
(1) January 13 is the early-bird registration deadline for this year's
National Immunization Conference, which will be held March 6-9 in Atlanta.
The cost of registration by the early-bird deadline is $175, a $25 savings
over the cost of later registration.
For online registration, go to:
http://conferences.taskforce.org/2006NIC/2006NIC.htm
For comprehensive conference information, go to:
http://www.cdc.gov/nip/nic
(2) January 17 is the registration deadline for the net conference Current
Issues in Immunization. Registration closes at midnight ET or when the
course is full. Scheduled for January 19 from noon to 1PM ET, the net
conference will focus on the new hepatitis A vaccine recommendations and
vaccine information statements (VISs).
For online registration, go to:
http://www2.cdc.gov/nip/isd/ciinc
For comprehensive information on the net conference, go to:
http://www.cdc.gov/nip/ed/ciinc
(3) January 31 is the registration deadline for the net conference titled
New ACIP Recommendations: Prevention of Perinatal and Childhood Hepatitis
B Infections. Registration closes at midnight ET or when the course is
full. The net conference is scheduled from noon to 1PM ET on February 2.
For online registration, go to:
http://www2.cdc.gov/nip/isd/hepbconference
For comprehensive information on the net conference, go to:
http://www.cdc.gov/nip/ed/ciinc/hepatitisb.htm
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January 9, 2006
CDC UPDATES ITS INFLUENZA WEB SECTION WITH MATERIALS ON AVIAN INFLUENZA
AND SEASONAL INFLUENZA
CDC recently updated its Influenza web section with the following new and
revised materials:
NEW
1. Turkey reports human cases of H5 avian flu (posted 1/5/06)
2. Fact sheet: Influenza symptoms, protection, and what to do if you get
sick (posted 1/3/06)
To access these materials, go to:
http://www.cdc.gov/flu/whatsnew.htm#new and click on the pertinent
links.
UPDATED
3. Recent avian influenza outbreaks in Asia and Europe (posted 12/28/05)
4. Key facts about avian influenza (bird flu) and avian influenza A (H5N1)
virus (posted 12/27/05)
5. Guidelines and recommendations: Infection control measures for
preventing and controlling influenza transmission in long-term care
facilities (posted 12/23/05)
To access these materials, go to:
http://www.cdc.gov/flu/whatsnew.htm#updated and click on the pertinent
links.
To access a broad range of continually updated information on seasonal
influenza, avian influenza, and pandemic influenza, go to:
http://www.cdc.gov/flu
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January 9, 2006
INFLUENZA UPDATE: CDC REPORTS ON INFLUENZA ACTIVITY DURING DECEMBER 18-24,
2005
CDC published "Update: Influenza Activity--United States, December 18-24,
2005" in the January 6 issue of MMWR. The article's first paragraph is
reprinted below.
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During December 18-24, 2005, the number of states reporting widespread
influenza activity increased to four. Four states reported regional
activity, five reported local activity, and 31 reported sporadic activity.
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To access a web-text (HTML) version of the complete article, go to:
http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm5451a3.htm
To access a ready-to-print (PDF) version of this issue of MMWR, go to:
http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/pdf/wk/mm5451.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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January 9, 2006
FEBRUARY 10 IS NOMINATION DEADLINE FOR THE 3RD ANNUAL "NATALIE J. SMITH,
MD, AWARD"
The Association of Immunization Managers (AIM) is seeking nominations for
the 2006 "Natalie J. Smith, MD, Award." The award, which will be presented
at the National Immunization Conference in Atlanta in March, was
established to honor the memory of Dr. Smith's outstanding management and
leadership skills in the area of state and national vaccine-preventable
disease programs. Eligible candidates are current or recently retired
immunization program managers who are designated as the persons primarily
responsible for directing the 64 city, state, or territorial immunization
programs directly funded by the National Immunization Program. The
deadline for nominations is February 10.
Dr. Smith, who died in 2003 at age 41, was deputy director, National
Immunization Program, CDC. Prior to accepting the NIP position, she served
for eight years as chief, Immunization Branch, California Department of
Health Services. Dr. Smith served as a member of the Advisory Committee on
Immunization Practices and as chair of the Association of Immunization
Managers. She wrote numerous significant publications on immunization and
was a frequent presenter and consultant on immunization-related issues.
To access more information about the award, including the nomination
criteria and a 2006 nomination form, go to:
http://www.immunizationmanagers.org/pdfs/SmithAwardForm2006.pdf
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January 9, 2006
MMWR QUICK STATS SHOW HEALTHCARE SETTINGS THAT DELIVERED OR PRESCRIBED
VACCINES FOR PERSONS YOUNGER THAN 18 YEARS IN 2002-03
CDC published "Quick Stats: Number of Vaccine Doses Provided or Prescribed
for Patients Aged [Younger Than] 18 Years, by Vaccine and Setting--United
States, 2002-2003" in the January 6 issue of MMWR. The text that
accompanies the graphic is reprinted below.
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Childhood vaccines primarily are administered in physician offices. During
2002-2003, vaccines were administered during 1% of emergency department
visits made by children aged [younger than] 18 years; the majority of
vaccines administered in emergency departments were tetanus related. In
hospital outpatient departments, vaccines were administered during 9% of
visits made by children aged [younger than] 18 years.
SOURCE: National Hospital Ambulatory Medical Care Survey and National
Ambulatory Medical Care Survey, 2002-2003. Available at
http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/about/major/ahcd/ahcd1.htm
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To access a web-text (HTML) version of the complete article, go to:
http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm5451a4.htm
To access a ready-to-print (PDF) version of this issue of MMWR, go to:
http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/pdf/wk/mm5451.pdf
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January 9, 2006
NEW: JANUARY 6 ISSUE OF IAC'S HEP EXPRESS ELECTRONIC NEWSLETTER NOW
AVAILABLE ONLINE
The January 6 issue of Hep Express, an electronic newsletter published by
IAC, is now available online. It is intended for health and social service
professionals involved in the prevention and treatment of viral hepatitis.
IAC Express has already covered some of the information presented in the
January 6 Hep Express; titles of articles we have not yet covered follow.
-
Continuing education credits available for national hepatitis conference
attendees
-
Management of hepatitis conference set for April 6-8 in Bethesda
-
Access AASLD conference presentations online
-
Viral Hepatitis Prevention Board adds two resources to its website
To access the January 6 issue, go to:
http://www.hepprograms.org/hepexpress/issue39.asp
To sign up for a free subscription to Hep Express, go to:
http://www.hepprograms.org/hepexpress/signup.asp
To access previous issues of Hep Express, go to:
http://www.hepprograms.org/hepexpress
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