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IAC Express 2006 |
| Issue number 634: December 4, 2006 |
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Contents
of this Issue
Select a title to jump to the article. |
- New: CDC
issues ACIP's General Recommendations on Immunization
- New
Hampshire's vaccine program to offer free HPV vaccine to girls ages 11-18
years
- Dr. Julie
Gerberding issues statement for World AIDS Day and announces the launch of
www.aids.gov website
- Updated:
IAC revises standing orders protocols for administering four vaccines to
adults
- IAC
updates its online Ask the Experts information on varicella and
diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis
- IAC makes
major revisions to hepatitis B education material for Asian American and
Pacific Islander patients
- Two
freebies: Bulk copies of October 2006 issues of Needle Tips and Vaccinate
Adults will go fast—don't miss out!
- Influenza
Summit newsletter publishes a thank-you to all who participated in
National Influenza Vaccination Week
-
Correction: Influenza Summit corrects a phone number in the November 30
issue of its newsletter
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| Abbreviations |
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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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Issue 634: December 4, 2006 |
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1. |
New: CDC issues ACIP's General
Recommendations on Immunization
On December 1, CDC published
"General Recommendations on Immunization: Recommendations of the Advisory
Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP)" in the MMWR Recommendations and
Reports. Last issued in 2002, the recommendations now cover the following
topics: (1) timing and spacing of immunobiologics, (2) contraindications and
precautions, (3) vaccine administration, (4) altered immunocompetence, (5)
special situations, (6) vaccination records, (7) reporting adverse events
after vaccination, (8) vaccination programs, and (9) vaccine information
sources.
The 2006 revision of the General Recommendations features visual elements,
such as diagrams, images, tables. Following are some of the more notable
additions: (1) an updated table of contraindications and precautions to
commonly used vaccines, (2) images displaying the correct administration site
for intramuscular and subcutaneous injections for infants and adults, (3) a
table outlining the treatment of anaphylaxis, (4) a table comparing the
advantages and disadvantages of various types of thermometers used to monitor
vaccine storage temperatures, and much more.
The Summary, which outlines significant changes made to the General
Recommendations, is reprinted below in its entirety.
Summary
This report is a revision of General Recommendations on Immunization and
updates the 2002 statement by the Advisory Committee on Immunization
Practices (ACIP) (CDC. General recommendations on immunization:
recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices and the
American Academy of Family Physicians. MMWR 2002;51[No. RR-2]). This report
is intended to serve as a general reference on vaccines and immunization. The
principal changes include (1) expansion of the discussion of vaccination
spacing and timing; (2) an increased emphasis on the importance of injection
technique/age/body mass in determining appropriate needle length; (3)
expansion of the discussion of storage and handling of vaccines, with a table
defining the appropriate storage temperature range for inactivated and live
vaccines; (4) expansion of the discussion of altered immunocompetence,
including new recommendations about use of live-attenuated vaccines with
therapeutic monoclonal antibodies; and (5) minor changes to the
recommendations about vaccination during pregnancy and vaccination of
internationally adopted children, in accordance with new ACIP
vaccine-specific recommendations for use of inactivated influenza vaccine and
hepatitis B vaccine. The most recent ACIP recommendations for each specific
vaccine should be consulted for comprehensive discussion. This report, ACIP
recommendations for each vaccine, and other information about vaccination can
be accessed at CDC's National Center for Immunization and Respiratory
Diseases (proposed; formerly known as the National Immunization Program)
website at http://:www.cdc.gov/nip
To access a web-text (HTML) version of the General Recommendations, go to:
http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/rr5515a1.htm
To access a ready-to-print (PDF) version, go to:
http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/PDF/rr/rr5515.pdf
Note: The PDF version includes a free CDC-sponsored education activity that
can be completed online or submitted by U.S. mail for CME, CEU, CNE, CHES, or
CPE credit. Simply read the primer, answer the questions at the end, and
follow instructions for submitting your answers.
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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2. |
New Hampshire's vaccine program
to offer free HPV vaccine to girls ages 11-18 years
On November 29, the New Hampshire
Department of Health & Human Services issued a press release announcing that
it will offer free human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine routinely to girls ages
11-18 years. It is the first state in the U.S. to do so. The press release is
reprinted below in its entirety.
DHHS ANNOUNCES NEW HAMPSHIRE WILL OFFER FREE VACCINE TO CHILDREN FOR HPV;
MOST COMMON SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED DISEASE NATIONALLY
The Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) today
announced that New Hampshire's Vaccine for Children program will
now offer vaccine for several common types of human
papillomavirus (HPV). The vaccine, which was recently approved
by the Food and Drug Administration, covers four strains of HPV
that are responsible for 70 percent of cervical cancers and 90
percent of genital warts. The vaccine, called Gardasil, will be
made available, free of charge, to New Hampshire girls aged 11-18.
"The HPV vaccine represents a significant step forward in
protecting the health and lives of the women and girls of New
Hampshire," said DHHS Commissioner John Stephen. "This
represents a small victory in the battle against cancer, and we
are thrilled to be able to offer this vaccine. We strongly
recommend that all parents consider getting their daughters
vaccinated."
HPV is the most prevalent sexually transmitted disease in the
United States. According to the Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention (CDC), 6.2 million Americans acquire the disease each
year, which, in some women, can lead to cervical cancer. Based
on CDC figures, in 2002 more than 12,000 women were diagnosed
with cervical cancer and nearly 4,000 died nationally. In New
Hampshire, between 2000 and 2002, 53 women were diagnosed with
cervical cancer each year, and between 1999-2003, 16 women died
from the illness annually, according to the National Cancer
Institute. The administration of this vaccine was a
recommendation of the Advisory Committee on Immunization
Practices (ACIP). ACIP, a part of CDC, is made up of healthcare
professionals who make recommendations on the use of vaccines
nationally.
"This vaccine is a major scientific breakthrough, we know there
is a direct relationship between HPV and cervical cancer and we
have the rare opportunity to reduce the incidences of cancer in
women," said Mary Ann Cooney, Director of Public Health, "We are
very excited to be able to offer this vaccine to our young
women. This vaccine has the ability to reduce healthcare costs,
cancer death rates, and the devastating impact this disease can
have on women and their families."
To access the press release, go to:
http://www.dhhs.state.nh.us/DHHS/PIO/LIBRARY/Press+Release/DPHS-HPV.htm
To access comprehensive information on HPV disease and vaccine,
go to: http://www.immunize.org/HPV
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3. |
Dr. Julie Gerberding issues
statement for World AIDS Day and announces the launch of www.aids.gov website
On December 1, on World AIDS Day, CDC issued a press release of
a statement made by Julie Gerberding, MD, MPH, CDC's director.
It is reprinted below in its entirety.
More than 25 years into the AIDS epidemic, we've made important
progress against the disease but serious challenges remain.
Advances in treatment continue to extend and improve the lives
of people living with HIV and AIDS, yet not everyone has access
to quality care. HIV prevention efforts have saved countless
lives in the United States and around the world, but many people
at risk must still be reached. And though we've achieved
extraordinary declines in mother-to-child HIV transmission in
the United States to fewer than 240 cases per year, even that
number could be significantly reduced.
Over a million people are living with HIV in the United States,
with African Americans and gay and bisexual men of all races
remaining most severely affected. Far too many Americans with
HIV are not diagnosed until years after they were infected, when
it may be too late to fully benefit from available treatments.
And one-quarter of people with HIV—at least 250,000 Americans—still do not realize they are infected.
If we are to defeat HIV/AIDS, we must ensure that people know
whether or not they are infected, so those who are HIV positive
can receive life-extending treatment and take steps to protect
their partners. To help accomplish this goal, CDC recently
issued new recommendations to make HIV screening a routine part
of medical care for all patients between the ages of 13 and 64.
These recommendations are an essential part of the nation's
comprehensive program of HIV prevention and care, and we believe
they will help reach many of the quarter-million Americans who
are unaware of their infection.
On World AIDS Day, the Department of Health and Human Services
launches http://www.aids.gov, the new Internet gateway to
federal HIV/AIDS information. It will guide users to information
on prevention, testing, treatment, and research programs, and to
federal HIV/AIDS policies and resources.
Success against HIV will require many different solutions and a
life-long commitment from everyone—from those infected, from
those at risk, and from society as a whole. As we pause today to
remember those lost to AIDS, let us also honor them with a
renewed commitment to completely stopping the spread of HIV in
the United States and around the world.
To access the press release, go to:
http://www.cdc.gov/od/oc/media/pressrel/a061201.htm
To access the new HIV screening recommendations, go to:
http://www.aids.gov/testing/guidelines
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4. |
Updated: IAC revises standing
orders protocols for administering four vaccines to adults
IAC recently revised the standing orders protocols for
administering the following vaccines to adults: hepatitis B,
varicella, pneumococcal polysaccharide (PPV), measles-mumps-rubella (MMR).
The protocol for administering hepatitis B vaccine now includes
the information that the vaccine may be administered to anyone
who wants to be protected against hepatitis B virus infection.
In addition, minor changes were made. To access a ready-to-print
(PDF) version of the protocol, go to:
http://www.immunize.org/catg.d/p3076.pdf
The protocol for administering varicella vaccine now includes
new information regarding who needs the vaccine. In addition,
minor changes were made. To access a ready-to-print (PDF)
version of the protocol, go to:
http://www.immunize.org/catg.d/p3080.pdf
The protocol for administering PPV was revised with minor
changes. To access a ready-to-print (PDF) version of the
protocol, go to: http://www.immunize.org/catg.d/p3075.pdf
The protocol for administering MMR vaccine was revised with
changes to the specifics about mumps. To access a ready-to-print
(PDF) version of the protocol, go to:
http://www.immunize.org/catg.d/p3079.pdf
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5. |
IAC updates its online Ask the
Experts information on varicella and diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis
The IAC website recently posted updated Ask the Experts
information on the following diseases and vaccines: varicella;
and diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis. IAC extends thanks to
William L. Atkinson, MD, MPH, and Andrew T. Kroger, MD, MPH, for
reviewing and revising these Ask the Experts web pages so that
they reflect the most current information. Both are medical
epidemiologists with CDC's National Center for Immunization and
Respiratory Diseases.
To access the varicella Ask the Experts, go to:
http://www.immunize.org/catg.d/p2021n.htm
To access the diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis Ask the
Experts, go to:
http://www.immunize.org/catg.d/p2021d.htm
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6. |
IAC makes major revisions to
hepatitis B education material for Asian American and Pacific Islander
patients.
IAC recently made major revisions to its three-page patient-education piece "Hepatitis B Information for Asian Americans and
Pacific Islanders." To access a ready-to-copy (PDF) version of
the revised piece, go to: http://www.immunize.org/catg.d/4190apia.pdf
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7. |
Two freebies: Bulk copies of
October 2006 issues of Needle Tips and Vaccinate Adults will go fast—don't
miss out!
IAC is giving away bulk copies of the latest (October 2006)
issues of Needle Tips and Vaccinate Adults. Those interested may
order up to 50 copies of each publication. Both publications are
written for health professionals. THEY ARE NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION
TO THE PUBLIC.
NEEDLE TIPS. If you have an immunization conference or an
educational program coming up for physicians, residents, or
nurses who specialize in pediatrics or family practice, this 24-page publication is an excellent item to distribute. The October
2006 issue includes IAC's Summary of Recommendations for
Childhood and Adolescent Immunization; IAC's Summary of
Recommendations for Adult Immunization; a comprehensive three-page Q&A about indications for healthcare worker hepatitis B
vaccination, postvaccination serologic testing, and postexposure
prophylaxis; a review of the sweeping changes found in the ACIP
recommendations for influenza vaccination of healthcare
personnel and the new standard of the Joint Commission on
Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCACO); four
resources for administering vaccines across the lifespan; and
influenza vaccination standing orders and screening
questionnaires.
VACCINATE ADULTS. If you have an immunization conference or an
educational program coming up for adult medical specialists,
this 12-page publication is an excellent item to distribute. The
October 2006 issue offers the resources mentioned above with one
notable exception: it does not have IAC's Summary of
Recommendations for Childhood and Adolescent Immunization.
HOW TO ORDER. Because supplies of the October 2006 issues of
both publications are limited, it's best to make your request
right away. Free copies go quickly. Sorry, we can mail orders
only to addresses within the United States.
TO REQUEST COPIES OF NEEDLE TIPS, fill out the online form on
IAC's website: http://www.immunize.org/freeoffernt
TO REQUEST COPIES OF VACCINATE ADULTS, fill out the online form
on IAC's website: http://www.immunize.org/freeofferva
You will be asked to supply the following information:
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The number of copies of each publication that you want
(maximum is 50 copies of each)
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A description of how you plan to use the copies
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Your name and complete contact information, including mailing
address, telephone number, and email address
For further information, email
admin@immunize.org
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8. |
Influenza Summit newsletter
publishes a thank-you to all who participated in National Influenza Vaccination
Week
On December 1, the National Influenza Vaccine Summit published a
special issue of its newsletter thanking those who participated
in National Influenza Vaccination Week. The special issue is
reprinted below in its entirety.
Today, on December 1, 2006, it is with great admiration and
thanks that we conclude the first annual National Influenza
Vaccination Week.
With less than one month between the conception of a national
effort to extend vaccination activities and the event itself, an
amazing amount of energy, creativity, commitment, and hard work
have been accomplished by countless individuals and
organizations, including state and local public health
officials, private healthcare providers across a wide variety of
clinical settings, professional societies, community
immunization providers, influenza vaccine manufacturers and
distributors, and numerous federal agencies and departments. We
have made an important first step in the important work of
addressing the misconception that it is "okay" to stop
vaccinating after Thanksgiving or that people vaccinated in
November or December or beyond won't benefit from vaccination.
We look forward to continuing this tradition next year with the
second annual National Influenza Vaccination Week. With lessons
learned from this year, it is our hope that next year's effort
will have an even greater impact and that we will be able to
work even more closely with the same thoughtful and dedicated
group of partners in planning and implementing next year's
activities.
To access the special issue, go to:
http://www.preventinfluenza.org/summit_news_4g.doc
Remember influenza vaccination should continue through the month
of December and beyond! Visit http://www.preventinfluenza.org
often to find the information you need to keep vaccinating!
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9. |
Correction: Influenza Summit
corrects a phone number in the November 30 issue of its newsletter
On December 4, the National Influenza Vaccine Summit (NIVS)
issued a correction to the article titled "Washoe County
District Health Department (Nevada) 'Cocooning' Program," which
appeared in the November 30 issue of the NIVS newsletter. Here
is the text of the corrected information: "For additional
information, please contact Judy Davis, Public Information
Officer, at (775) 843-3946."
To access the corrected newsletter, go to:
http://www.preventinfluenza.org/summit_news_4f.doc
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