Issue
Number 615
August 14, 2006
CONTENTS OF THIS ISSUE
- New: CDC publishes recommendations for preventing
rotavirus gastroenteritis among infants and children
- Important: ACOG posts excerpts from its recommendations
for use of HPV vaccine on its website
- Attention: August 15 teleconference on the upcoming
2006-07 influenza season to feature presentations from CDC
- New: IAC develops form for healthcare workers to sign if
declining influenza vaccination
- New: August issue of CDC's Immunization Works electronic
newsletter now online
- Free: Two Spanish- and English-language films on
immunization now available from Migrant Clinicians Network
- New VIS translations: VISs for injectable and
nasal-spray influenza vaccines now in additional languages
- New: Thai-language VISs now available for hepatitis A,
Tdap, and rotavirus vaccines
- Free CME credits: Web-enhanced teleconferences on
adolescent immunization scheduled for August and September
- Campaign underway to vaccinate Lebanon's displaced
children against measles and polio
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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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August 14, 2006
NEW: CDC PUBLISHES RECOMMENDATIONS FOR PREVENTING ROTAVIRUS GASTROENTERITIS
AMONG INFANTS AND CHILDREN
On August 11, CDC published "Prevention of Rotavirus Gastroenteritis Among
Infants and Children: Recommendations of the Advisory Committee on
Immunization Practices (ACIP)" in MMWR Recommendations and Reports. The
summary is reprinted below in its entirety.
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In February 2006, a live, oral, human-bovine reassortant rotavirus vaccine (RotaTeq)
was licensed for use among U.S. infants. The Advisory Committee on
Immunization Practices recommends routine vaccination of U.S. infants with 3
doses of this rotavirus vaccine administered orally at ages 2, 4, and 6
months. The first dose should be administered between ages 6–12 weeks.
Subsequent doses should be administered at 4–10 week intervals, and all 3
doses should be administered by age 32 weeks. Rotavirus vaccine can be
co-administered with other childhood vaccines. Rotavirus vaccine is
contraindicated for infants with a serious allergic reaction to any vaccine
component or to a previous dose of vaccine. . . .
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To access a ready-to-print (PDF) version of the recommendations, go to:
http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/PDF/rr/rr5512.pdf
To access a web-text (HTML) version, go to:
http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/rr5512a1.htm
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August 14, 2006
IMPORTANT: ACOG POSTS EXCERPTS FROM ITS RECOMMENDATIONS FOR USE OF HPV
VACCINE ON ITS WEBSITE
The website of American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG)
recently posted excerpts from the organization's recommendations for use of
human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine. The complete ACOG recommendations are
scheduled for publication in the September issue of the journal Obstetrics &
Gynecology. The opening paragraph of the excerpted recommendations is
reprinted below.
******************
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration recently approved a quadrivalent human
papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine for females aged 9–26 years. The American
College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) recommends the vaccination
of females in this age group. The Advisory Committee on Immunization
Practices has recommended that the vaccination routinely be given to girls
when they are 11 or 12 years old. Although obstetrician–gynecologists are
not likely to care for many girls in this initial vaccination target group,
they are critical to the widespread use of the vaccine for females aged
13–26 years. Specific recommendations regarding the use of the quadrivalent
HPV vaccine will be published in the September 2006 issue of Obstetrics &
Gynecology. Because of the urgent nature of this information, excerpts of
the recommendations are being posted online in advance of publication.
******************
To read the excerpted material in its entirety, go to:
http://www.acog.org/departments/dept_notice.cfm?recno=7&bulletin=3945
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August 14, 2006
ATTENTION: AUGUST 15 TELECONFERENCE ON THE UPCOMING 2006-07 INFLUENZA SEASON
TO FEATURE PRESENTATIONS FROM CDC
The National Immunization Coalition TA [technical assistance] Network has
scheduled a teleconference about the upcoming influenza season. It will be
held at 1:00PM, ET, August 15.
Presenters are Jeanne M. Santoli, MD, MPH, who will speak about influenza
vaccine supply for 2006-07, and Curtis Allen, who will speak about CDC's
plans for communicating about influenza vaccine and CDC's educational
materials available for promoting influenza vaccination within the
community. Santoli is deputy director, Division of Immunization Services,
National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, CDC (NCIRD/CDC),
and Allen is with the Office of Media Relations, NCIRD/CDC.
To register for the teleconference, send an email to
IZTA@aed.org Include this message: "Sign
me up for the flu update call."
For additional information, or to access earlier programs, go to:
http://www.izcoalitionsta.org/confcall.cfm
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August 14, 2006
NEW: IAC DEVELOPS FORM FOR HEALTHCARE WORKERS TO SIGN IF DECLINING INFLUENZA
VACCINATION
In July, IAC developed the one-page form "Declination of influenza
vaccination." It is intended for the use of healthcare employers who
recommend that their employees receive annual influenza vaccination. It
succinctly states reasons for vaccinating healthcare workers against the
disease and provides space for the employee's signature if the employee
declines vaccination.
To access a ready-to-print (PDF) version of the form, go to:
http://www.immunize.org/catg.d/p4068.pdf
To access a web-text (HTML) version, go to:
http://www.immunize.org/catg.d/p4068.htm
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August 14, 2006
NEW: AUGUST ISSUE OF CDC'S IMMUNIZATION WORKS ELECTRONIC NEWSLETTER NOW
ONLINE
The August issue of Immunization Works, a monthly email newsletter published
by CDC, is available on CDC's website. The newsletter offers members of the
immunization community non-proprietary information about current topics. CDC
encourages its wide dissemination.
Some of the information in the August issue has already appeared in previous
issues of IAC Express. Following is the text of four articles we have not
covered.
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OTHER NEWS AND SUMMARIES
MUMPS OUTBREAK SUBSIDES: The mumps outbreak that began in Iowa in December
2005 appears to be subsiding, as over 98% of cases had onset dates from
January 1 through June 30. From January 1 through July 22, 2006, a total of
4,908 cases of mumps were reported to CDC from 15 outbreak-affected states.
The majority of cases, 4,894 or 98%, were reported from eight states (Iowa,
Kansas, Illinois, Nebraska, Missouri, South Dakota, Pennsylvania, and
Wisconsin) that had endemic, in-state transmission (i.e., outbreak states).
An additional 14 cases associated with travel to, or temporary residence in
an outbreak-affected state were reported from seven states (Colorado,
Minnesota, Mississippi, New York, New Mexico, Michigan, and Texas). It is
expected that once the outbreak is over, the number of cases being reported
each week will be higher than in previous years, due to improved mumps
surveillance.
The age-group-specific incidence was highest among persons 18-24 years old
(32 per 100,000) reflecting transmission in college and university settings.
While most cases occurred among persons who had received 2 doses of
mumps-containing vaccine (the vaccine has an estimated efficacy of 90%),
preliminary data suggest attack rates were higher among persons who had
received only 1 dose of vaccine. In July, the American College Health
Association (ACHA) distributed a letter to universities and colleges across
the United States. The letter encouraged the vaccination of enrolled
students with 2 doses of MMR vaccine before returning to school. State and
local health departments are encouraged to remain vigilant for mumps cases,
especially among college and university students when they return to school
in the fall. For more information about mumps, please visit CDC's mumps
website at
http://www.cdc.gov/nip/diseases/mumps
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MEETINGS, CONFERENCES & RESOURCES
PROMOTE HCW VACCINATION: CDC has recently updated posters and flyers for
healthcare worker (HCW) vaccinations, "Healthcare Workers! Are your
vaccinations up-to-date?" The updated materials reflect the Advisory
Committee on Immunization Practices' (ACIP's) new pertussis vaccine
recommendations. They can be downloaded and printed in black and white or
commercial quality color from
http://www.cdc.gov/nip/publications/default.htm#healthcare
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RESPIRATORY NEWS & RESOURCES
NEW COUGH GUIDELINES: New guidelines on the diagnosis and treatment of cough
in adults and children have been released by the American College of Chest
Physicians (ACCP). These [new] practice guidelines (1) more narrowly focus .
. . on the diagnosis and treatment of cough, the symptom, in adult and
pediatric populations, and minimize the discussion of cough as a defense
mechanism; (2) improve on the rigor of the evidence-based review and
describe the methodology in a separate section; (3) update and expand, when
appropriate, all previous sections; and (4) add new sections with topics
that were not previously covered. The new guidelines can be found at the
ACCP's website at
http://www.chestjournal.org/content/vol129/1_suppl
GET SMART: CDC's "Get Smart, Know When Antibiotics Work" campaign offers an
electronic newsletter. Readers may view past issues and subscribe at
http://www.cdc.gov/drugresistance/community/news.htm
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To access the complete August issue from the NIP website, go to:
http://www.cdc.gov/nip/news/newsltrs/imwrks/2006/200608.htm
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August 14, 2006
FREE: TWO SPANISH- AND ENGLISH-LANGUAGE FILMS ON IMMUNIZATION NOW AVAILABLE
FROM MIGRANT CLINICIANS NETWORK
The Migrant Clinicians Network (MCN) recently announced that its Migrant
Immunization Initiative has developed two short films on immunization.
Available in both English and Spanish and in DVD and VHS formats, the films
cover tetanus vaccine and hepatitis A vaccine. Each film is about 10 minutes
long.
Intended for the use of clinicians who serve low-literate Spanish- or
English-speaking patients, the films should be used in clinical settings for
educating migrant, mobile, or underserved populations. They are available
free of charge; postage is free to U.S. addresses. Clinicians who receive
the films will be asked to complete a questionnaire to evaluate the films'
effectiveness.
To order the films online, go to:
http://www.migrantclinician.org/excellence/immunizations Or download the
order form, complete it, and fax it to MCN at (512) 327-0719, or email it to
ihargrove@migrantclinician.org
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August 14, 2006
NEW VIS TRANSLATIONS: VISs FOR INJECTABLE AND NASAL-SPRAY INFLUENZA VACCINES
NOW IN ADDITIONAL LANGUAGES
The current versions of the VISs for trivalent inactivated influenza vaccine
(TIV; injectable) and live attenuated intranasal influenza vaccine (LAIV;
nasal spray) are now available on the IAC website in Chinese, Korean,
Tagalog, and Vietnamese. IAC gratefully acknowledges the California
Department of Health Services for these translations. The current VIS for
TIV is also available in Turkish. IAC gratefully acknowledges Mustafa
Kozanoglu, MD, and Murat Serbest, MD, for this translation
VISs for TIV (dated 6/30/06)
To obtain a ready-to-print (PDF) version of the VIS for TIV in Chinese, go
to:
http://www.immunize.org/vis/ch_flu06.pdf
To obtain it in Korean, go to:
http://www.immunize.org/vis/ko_flu06.pdf
To obtain it in Tagalog, go to:
http://www.immunize.org/vis/ta_flu06.pdf
To obtain it in Turkish, go to:
http://www.immunize.org/vis/tu_flu06.pdf
To obtain it in Vietnamese, go to:
http://www.immunize.org/vis/vn_flu06.pdf
To obtain it in English, go to:
http://www.immunize.org/vis/2flu.pdf
VISs for LAIV (dated 6/30/06)
To obtain a ready-to-print (PDF) version of the VIS for LAIV in Chinese, go
to:
http://www.immunize.org/vis/chLAIV06.pdf
To obtain it in Korean, go to:
http://www.immunize.org/vis/koLAIV06.pdf
To obtain it in Tagalog, go to:
http://www.immunize.org/vis/taLAIV06.pdf
To obtain it in Vietnamese, go to:
http://www.immunize.org/vis/vnLAIV06.pdf
To obtain it in English, go to:
http://www.immunize.org/vis/liveflu.pdf
For information about the use of VISs, and for VISs in more than 30
languages, visit IAC's VIS web section at
http://www.immunize.org/vis
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August 14, 2006
NEW: THAI-LANGUAGE VISs NOW AVAILABLE FOR HEPATITIS A, Tdap, AND ROTAVIRUS
VACCINES
The current version of the VIS for hepatitis A vaccine (dated 3/21/06) and
the interim versions of the VISs for rotavirus vaccine (dated 4/12/06) and
Tdap (tetanus-diphtheria-acellular pertussis) vaccine (dated 6/10/06) are
now available on the IAC website in Thai. IAC gratefully acknowledges Asian
Pacific Health Care Venture for the translations.
VIS FOR HEPATITIS A VACCINE
To obtain a ready-to-print (PDF) version in Thai, go to:
http://www.immunize.org/vis/th_hpa06.pdf
To obtain it in English, go to:
http://www.immunize.org/vis/v-hepa.pdf
INTERIM VIS FOR ROTAVIRUS VACCINE
To obtain a ready-to-print (PDF) version in Thai, go to:
http://www.immunize.org/vis/th_rota06.pdf
To obtain it in English, go to:
http://www.immunize.org/vis/rota_06.pdf
INTERIM VIS FOR Tdap VACCINE
To obtain a ready-to-print (PDF) version in Thai, go to:
http://www.immunize.org/vis/th_tdap.pdf
To obtain it in English, go to:
http://www.immunize.org/vis/tdap.pdf
To obtain Thai-language VISs for eleven additional vaccines, go to:
http://www.immunize.org/vis/#thai
For information about the use of VISs, and for VISs in more than 30
languages, go to:
http://www.immunize.org/vis
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August 14, 2006
FREE CME CREDITS: WEB-ENHANCED TELECONFERENCES ON ADOLESCENT IMMUNIZATION
SCHEDULED FOR AUGUST AND SEPTEMBER
The one-hour teleconference A New Era in Adolescent Immunization: Promoting
Health and Preventing Disease is scheduled for the three remaining
Wednesdays in August and the first Wednesday in September. Each offers Web
or telephone participation, as well as a live Q&A session.
Sponsored by Boston University School of Medicine, the course will (1)
provide a current overview of infectious diseases for which adolescents are
at risk; (2) familiarize clinicians with the growing number of vaccines
available to prevent those diseases; and (3) offer practical strategies for
vaccinating the adolescent population. It is intended for office based
pediatricians, family physicians (including osteopaths),
pediatric/adolescent gynecologists, and ob/gyns with a secondary specialty
in infectious disease.
Web-enhanced teleconferences are scheduled for the following Wednesdays:
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August 16 (3PM ET)
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August 23 (8PM ET)
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August 30 (2PM ET)
-
September 6 (1PM ET)
For additional information on participation and CME credit, go to:
http://adolescentimmunization.haymarketmedical.com
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August 14, 2006
CAMPAIGN UNDERWAY TO VACCINATE LEBANON'S DISPLACED CHILDREN AGAINST
MEASLES AND POLIO
UNICEF recently issued two press releases related to vaccinating children
displaced by the conflict in Lebanon. Excerpts from both follow:
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Beirut
August 7, 2006
MEASLES VACCINATION CAMPAIGN FACES UP TO CHALLENGES OF ONGOING LEBANON
CONFLICT
The campaign to protect tens of thousands of children displaced by the
ongoing conflict in Lebanon against the twin threat of measles and polio
is moving up a gear this week. . . .
It's feared that outbreaks of measles and polio could easily occur in the
crowded and unsanitary conditions in which many displaced families now
find themselves. . . .
With no sign of a let-up in the conflict, the campaign faces serious
challenges. Families displaced by the bombardment and fighting in the
south have been widely scattered: according to Lebanon's Higher Relief
Commission, some 130,000 people are currently living in 823 schools and
other public locations. An even larger number—565,000—is thought to have
found shelter with relatives and friends.
Vaccination teams must cover each location despite the worsening shortage
of fuel gripping the country. . . .
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Beirut
August 4, 2006
UNICEF AND PARTNERS BEGIN IMMUNISATION CAMPAIGN FOR CHILDREN DISPLACED BY
THE LEBANON CONFLICT
UNICEF measles campaign in Beirut has been seriously hampered by recent
bombings. While the campaign is still going on, it has been greatly
disrupted.
The initial focus of the campaign, administered by the Lebanon Ministry of
Health with the support of UNICEF, WHO, and NGO partners, was 18,000
children who are now camped in crowded and often unsanitary conditions in
the Beirut area. Children up to the age of 15 were being given injectable
vaccine to shield them from measles. Young children, aged five and under,
were receiving polio vaccine drops and Vitamin A. . . .
"Immunisation is vital in a crisis like this one," said UNICEF Lebanon
Representative Roberto Laurenti. "The last thing these distressed and
fearful families need is to have their children fall victim to a
potentially fatal disease. . . ."
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To access the complete August 7 press release, go to:
http://www.unicef.org/media/media_35241.html
To access the complete August 4 press release, go to:
http://www.unicef.org/media/media_35215.html
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