Issue
Number 589
March 27, 2006
CONTENTS OF THIS ISSUE
- New: AAP endorses CDC's hepatitis B recommendations for
infants, children, and adolescents
- Here's a resource to help you talk with parents about
thimerosal
- MMWR publishes ACIP's tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis
recommendations for adolescents
- Current Issues in Immunization net conference to focus
on general recommendations and rotavirus recommendations
- April 11 teleconference to discuss human papillomavirus
disease and vaccine
- HHS adds more influenza antiviral medication to the
nation's stockpile
- CDC adds to and updates its Influenza web section
- Pandemic Influenza website adds planning checklists for
colleges/universities and child care/preschools
- Updated: IAC revises a Spanish-language adolescent
immunization piece and a professional-education piece
- Attention teens: Your PSA on meningococcal disease
could be featured on websites, a pod cast, and a DVD
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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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March 27, 2006
NEW: AAP ENDORSES CDC'S HEPATITIS B RECOMMENDATIONS FOR INFANTS, CHILDREN,
AND ADOLESCENTS
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recently published an article,
"Academy endorses CDC's hepatitis B recommendations," in the online version
of its publication AAP News. It concerns ACIP's new hepatitis B
recommendations, which cover immunization of infants, children, and
adolescents. The online AAP News article is reprinted below in its entirety.
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The Academy has endorsed the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
(CDC) recommendation for hepatitis B vaccine, "A Comprehensive Immunization
Strategy to Eliminate Transmission of Hepatitis B Virus Infection in the
United States."
The CDC recommends that all newborns receive a birth dose of hepatitis B
vaccine before leaving the hospital unless a physician provides a written
order to defer the birth dose. CDC also recommends that all children age 19
and younger receive the vaccine series.
DELAY IN 'RARE CIRCUMSTANCES'
"On a case-by-case basis and only in rare circumstances," the birth dose may
be delayed until after hospital discharge, according to the new
recommendation. This exception applies only to infants who weigh at least
2,000 grams and whose mothers are known to be HBsAg negative during the
current pregnancy. When a decision is made to delay the birth dose, a
physician's order to withhold the birth dose and a copy of the original
laboratory report indicating that the mother was HBsAg negative during this
pregnancy must be placed in the infant's medical record.
In infants who do not receive a first dose before hospital discharge, the
first dose should be administered no later than 2 months of age.
CDC recommendations also state that the birth dose should not be delayed if
the infant's mother engaged in high-risk sexual or drug-using practices
during pregnancy (e.g., having had more than one sex partner during the
previous six months or an HBsAg-positive sex partner, evaluation or
treatment for an STD, or recent or current injection-drug use) or in
situations of expected poor compliance with follow-up to initiate the
vaccine series.
Preterm infants weighing less than 2,000 grams and born to HBsAg-negative
mothers should have their first vaccine dose delayed until one month after
birth or hospital discharge, whichever comes first. For these infants, a
copy of the original laboratory report indicating that the mother was HBsAg
negative during this pregnancy should be placed in the infant's medical
record.
The recommendations call for physician follow-up in infants whose birth dose
is delayed.
CATCH-UP
Hepatitis B vaccination is recommended for all children and adolescents 19
years of age and under. Children and adolescents who have not previously
received hepatitis B vaccine should be vaccinated routinely at any age with
an appropriate dose and schedule, but all children aged 11-12 years should
have a review of their immunization records and should complete the vaccine
series if they were not previously vaccinated or were incompletely
vaccinated.
[The CDC recommendation is online at
http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/PDF/rr/rr5416.pdf or see the Dec. 23, 2005,
Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR. 2005;54 (RR-16):1-23)].
Additional information about hepatitis B is available in the 2003 edition of
the AAP Red Book (pages 318-336) and on the Red Book Online Web site:
aapredbook.aappublications.org
[http://aapredbook.aappublications.org].
********************
To access the article from the AAP News, go to:
http://aapnews.aappublications.org/cgi/content/full/e2006199v1
If you prefer a web-text (HTML) version of the ACIP recommendations, use the
following links:
For the main text of the ACIP recommendations, go to:
http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/rr5416a1.htm
For Appendix A (Case finding and management of hepatitis B surface antigen [HBsAg]—positive
persons during delivery of vaccination services), go to:
http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/rr5416a2.htm
For Appendix B (Immunization management issues), go to:
http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/rr5416a3.htm
For Appendix C (Postexposure prophylaxis of persons with discrete
identifiable exposure to hepatitis B virus [HPV]), go to:
http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/rr5416a4.htm
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March 27, 2006
HERE'S A RESOURCE TO HELP YOU TALK WITH PARENTS ABOUT THIMEROSAL
During CDC's recent National Immunization Conference (NIC), Paul Offit, MD,
delivered a presentation, "Effectively Communicating about Mercury in
Vaccines to Concerned Parents." CDC has now posted both a handout and
recording of the presentation on its website. To access them, go to:
http://www.cdc.gov/nip/nic Scroll
down to the heading Conference Recordings and Slides, and click on the Go
icon next to "proceed to the online Conference Program." Scroll down to the
calendar for March 7; click on Featured Presentation in the 11AM-12PM time
slot and then click on Paul Offit's presentation.
Dr. Offit, who was selected to deliver the Jeryl Lynn Hilleman Endowed
Lecture at NIC, is chief, Division of Infectious Diseases, Children's
Hospital of Philadelphia, and professor of pediatrics and Maurice R.
Hilleman Professor of Vaccinology, University of Pennsylvania School of
Medicine.
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March 27, 2006
MMWR PUBLISHES ACIP'S TETANUS, DIPHTHERIA, AND PERTUSSIS RECOMMENDATIONS FOR
ADOLESCENTS
On March 24, CDC published "Preventing Tetanus, Diphtheria, and Pertussis
Among Adolescents: Use of Tetanus Toxoid, Reduced Diphtheria Toxoid and
Acellular Pertussis Vaccines" in MMWR Recommendations and Reports.
Previously, the article was available only in electronic format as an MMWR
Early Release.
To access a ready-to-print (PDF) version of the recommendations, which
includes all the appendices, go to:
http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/PDF/rr/rr5503.pdf
To access a web-text (HTML) version of the recommendations, go to:
http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/rr5503a1.htm The web-text
version does not contain the six appendices. To access them, click on the
following links:
Appendix A (Composition of selected vaccines with tetanus toxoid, diphtheria
toxoid, and acellular pertussis components licensed in the United States,
2006):
http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/rr5503a2.htm
Appendix B (CDC and Council of State and Territorial Epidemiologists (CSTE)
pertussis case definition):
http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/rr5503a3.htm
Appendix C (Summary of recommendations for tetanus toxoid, reduced
diphtheria toxoid and acellular pertussis vaccine [Tdap] and tetanus and
diphtheria toxoids [Td] use among adolescents aged 11—18 years):
http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/rr5503a4.htm
Appendix D (Guide to catch-up vaccination with Td and Tdap for adolescents
aged 11—18 years):
http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/rr5503a5.htm
Appendix E (Guide to catch-up vaccination with Td for children aged 7—10
years):
http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/rr5503a6.htm
Appendix F (Abbreviations used in this report):
http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/rr5503a7.htm
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March 27, 2006
CURRENT ISSUES IN IMMUNIZATION NET CONFERENCE TO FOCUS ON GENERAL
RECOMMENDATIONS AND ROTAVIRUS RECOMMENDATIONS
Scheduled for April 20 from noon to 1PM ET, the net conference Current
Issues in Immunization is designed to provide clinicians with up-to-date
information on immunization. The program has two primary topics: (1) general
recommendations (timing and spacing of immunobiologics and altered
immunocompetence) and (2) rotavirus vaccine recommendations.
The conference requires pre-registration, as space is limited. Registration
will close when the course is full or on April 17 (midnight ET). To register
for the conference, go to:
http://www2.cdc.gov/nip/isd/ciinc
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, email
nipinfo@cdc.gov
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March 27, 2006
APRIL 11 TELECONFERENCE TO DISCUSS HUMAN PAPILLOMAVIRUS DISEASE AND VACCINE
The National Immunization Coalition TA [technical assistance] Network has
scheduled a teleconference that will focus on human papillomavirus (HPV)
disease and vaccine and on outreach messages to use with healthcare
providers. It will be held on April 11 at 2:00PM ET.
NOTE: CDC will give updates on the current influenza vaccine supply at the
beginning of this teleconference and at the beginning of future
teleconferences throughout the influenza season.
The presenter is Anna Giuliano, PhD, a leader for risk assessment,
detection, and intervention programs at the H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center &
Research Institute, University of South Florida, Tampa. The National
Institutes of Health recently awarded $10 million to Dr. Giuliano for a
study to determine men's role in the spread of HPV.
To register for the teleconference, send an email to
IZTA@aed.org Include this message: "Sign
me up for the HPV discussion."
For additional information, or to access earlier programs, go to:
http://www.izcoalitionsta.org/confcall.cfm
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March 27, 2006
HHS ADDS MORE INFLUENZA ANTIVIRAL MEDICATION TO THE NATION'S STOCKPILE
On March 22, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) issued a
press release announcing that it had purchased 6 million additional
treatment courses of two influenza antiviral drugs. The opening paragraph of
the release is reprinted below.
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For immediate release
Wednesday, March 22, 2006
HHS BUYS MORE ANTIVIRAL MEDICATION FOR THE STRATEGIC NATIONAL STOCKPILE
HHS Secretary Mike Leavitt today announced additional purchases of antiviral
drugs that could be used in the event of a potential influenza pandemic. The
department has ordered 2.2 million more treatment courses of antiviral drug
zanamivir (Relenza) from GlaxoSmithKline and 3.8 million more treatment
courses of oseltamivir phosphate (Tamiflu) from Roche. With these purchases,
the Strategic National Stockpile will have a total of 26 million treatment
courses of antiviral drugs for distribution to the states when an influenza
pandemic is deemed to be imminent. . . .
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To access the complete press release, go to:
http://www.hhs.gov/news/press/2006pres/20060322.html
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March 27, 2006
CDC ADDS TO AND UPDATES ITS INFLUENZA WEB SECTION
CDC recently added to and updated reports on its Influenza web section.
These include reports on avian influenza: the embargo of birds from
Afghanistan and Israel; countries added to the list of those reporting human
cases (Azerbaijan); and countries added to the list of those reporting
animal cases (Afghanistan). In addition, one report was added on
instructions for using software programs to estimate the potential impact of
pandemic influenza. Details follow:
NEW
-
"Amendment to embargo of birds & bird products imported from Afghanistan"
(posted 3/22/06)
-
"Instructions to estimate the potential impact of the next influenza
pandemic upon locale Y" (posted 3/22/06)
-
"Amendment to embargo of birds & bird products imported from Israel"
(posted 3/20/06)
To access these resources, go to:
http://www.cdc.gov/flu/whatsnew.htm#new and click on the pertinent
links.
UPDATED
-
"Embargo of birds from specified countries [Afghanistan]" (posted
3/22/06)
-
"Avian influenza: Current situation" (posted 3/21/06)
-
"Questions & answers about avian influenza (bird flu) & avian influenza
virus" (posted 3/20/06)
-
"Embargo of birds from specified countries [Israel]" (posted 3/20/06)
To access these resources, 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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March 27, 2006
PANDEMIC INFLUENZA WEBSITE ADDS PLANNING CHECKLISTS FOR
COLLEGES/UNIVERSITIES AND CHILD CARE/PRESCHOOLS
On March 21, the federal government posted two new checklists to its
Pandemic Influenza website:
1. Colleges and Universities Pandemic Influenza Planning Checklist
To access a ready-to-print (PDF) version, go to:
http://www.pandemicflu.gov/plan/pdf/colleges_universities.pdf
To access a web-text (HTML) version, go to:
http://www.pandemicflu.gov/plan/collegeschecklist.html
2. Child Care and Preschool Pandemic Influenza Planning Checklist
To access a ready-to-print (PDF) version, go to:
http://www.pandemicflu.gov/plan/pdf/child_care.pdf
To access a web-text (HTML) version, go to:
http://www.pandemicflu.gov/plan/preschool.html
To access an array of pandemic influenza resources, visit the website at
http://www.pandemicflu.gov
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March 27, 2006
UPDATED: IAC REVISES A SPANISH-LANGUAGE ADOLESCENT IMMUNIZATION PIECE
AND A PROFESSIONAL-EDUCATION PIECE
IAC recently updated the Spanish-language version of its
parent-education piece "When do children and teens need vaccinations?" (Cuando
necesitan sus vacunas los ninos y los adolescentes?) and its
professional-education piece "Maintaining the cold chain during
transport."
1. "Cuando necesitan sus vacunas los ninos y los adolescentes?" was
updated to reflect new recommendations and licensures.
To access a ready-to-print (PDF) version of it, go to:
http://www.immunize.org/catg.d/p4050-01.pdf
To access a web-text (HTML) version, go to:
http://www.immunize.org/catg.d/p4050-01.htm
2. "Maintaining the cold chain during transport" was revised to reflect
information about two newly licensed vaccines,
tetanus-diphtheria-pertussis (Tdap) vaccine and
measles-mumps-rubella-varicella (MMRV) vaccine.
To access a ready-to-print (PDF) version of it, go to:
http://www.immunize.org/catg.d/p3049.pdf
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March 27, 2006
ATTENTION TEENS: YOUR PSA ON MENINGOCOCCAL DISEASE COULD BE FEATURED ON
WEBSITES, A POD CAST, AND A DVD
The California Distance Learning Health Network (CDLHN) is spreading the
word about the importance of meningococcal vaccination and is looking
for teens to help. Teens between ages 15-19 are invited to submit an
original Public Service Announcement (PSA) that will encourage college
freshmen planning to live in dorms to get the meningococcal vaccine.
The selected entry will be featured on the CDLHN website and a teen
vaccination website. It will also be included on a DVD on meningococcal
disease. This will give the teen's PSA exposure to thousands of people
visiting the Web and watching the DVD.
For comprehensive information on the contest, go to:
http://cdlhn.com/podcast.info |