Remember, influenza vaccination should continue through the early months of 2007. Visit the following websites often to find the information you need to keep vaccinating. Both are continually updated with the latest resources.

The National Influenza Vaccine Summit website at http://www.preventinfluenza.org

CDC's Influenza web section at http://www.cdc.gov/flu

Dated 2/2/07, the current version of the interim VIS for human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine is now available in Spanish on the IAC website.

To access a ready-to-print (PDF) version of it, go to:
http://www.immunize.org/vis/sp_hpv.pdf

To access a ready-to-print (PDF) version in English, go to:
http://www.immunize.org/vis/vis-hpv-gardasil.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

IAC recently updated its professional information sheet "It's Federal Law! You must give your patients current Vaccine Information Statements (VISs)." The table titled "Most current versions of VISs" now lists the most current issue dates for each VIS.

To access a ready-to-print (PDF) version of the sheet, go to:
http://www.immunize.org/catg.d/2027law.pdf

On February 21, ACIP voted to approve new language for the Vaccines for Children (VFC) resolution for the use of influenza vaccine. The revised resolution (No. 2/07-1) states the following:

"All children ages 6 months through 8 years who receive influenza vaccine for the first time should be given 2 doses. Children who receive only one dose in the first year of vaccination should receive two doses in their second year of vaccination."

To access a copy of the revised resolution, "Eligible Groups for Inactivated Influenza Vaccine," in its entirety go to: http://www.cdc.gov/nip/vfc/acip_resolutions/0207influenza.pdf

Published in February, the Journal of Family Practice's 2007 immunization supplement, "Vaccines Across the Life Span," is now available online. The 76-page supplement contains seven articles (titles below) and an 8-page color centerfold with pictures of vaccine-preventable diseases and immunization schedules.

Following are the titles of the seven articles:

1. HPV vaccine and its recommendations
2. Rotavirus disease and vaccine update
3. Recent changes in influenza vaccination recommendations
4. Routine vaccines across the life span
5. Vaccines for persons at high risk
6. Vaccine schedules and procedures
7. Addressing immunization barriers, benefits, and risks

To access the supplement online, go to: http://www.jfponline.com/pages.asp?id=1061 Scroll down to the subhead titled "Non-CME Supplements 2007," and click on the link titled "Vaccines Across the Life Span."

Published by the National Network for Immunization Information (NNii), the booklet "Are Vaccines Safe? Evaluating information about immunizations on the Internet" has been updated and expanded. The 16-page booklet offers tips on finding reliable information about vaccination on the Internet and evaluating such information for accuracy and validity.

Health professionals will find the booklet useful as a patient hand out. For additional information, including ordering information, go to: http://www.immunizationinfo.org/bookstore.cfm

Written by Denise Fields and pediatrician Ari Brown, MD, "Baby 411" and "Toddler 411" offer parents "clear answers and sound advice," according to the book jackets. Each has a chapter on vaccinations that covers topics such as the following: vaccines and the diseases they stop, the biggest vaccine misconceptions, truths about vaccines, vaccine controversies, and vaccine shortages.

For additional information, and to order online, go to: http://www.windsorpeak.com/baby411

CDC recently updated two pages on its Influenza web section:

1. "Questions & Answers About Avian Influenza (Bird Flu) and Avian Influenza A (H5N1) Virus" (posted 2/27/07)

2. "Questions & Answers: 2006-07 Influenza Season" (posted 2/27/07)

To access these resources, go to: http://www.cdc.gov/flu/whatsnew.htm#updated and click on the pertinent link.

To access a broad range of continually updated information on seasonal influenza, avian influenza, pandemic influenza, and swine influenza, go to: http://www.cdc.gov/flu

CDC's Office of Public Health Research has announced the availability of $10 million for improving public health practice through translational research. Up to 28 awards will be funded; the average award is expected to be approximately $350,000-$450,000 per year including direct and indirect costs.

The specific objective of the funding opportunity is to conduct translational research using an evidence-based intervention or policy. Proposed research should identify: (1) impediments and/or facilitators to the successful translation of evidence-based public health intervention(s); (2) methodological tools for the successful translation of evidence-based programs, practices, or policies; that retain fidelity, and achieve positive outcomes for target populations; or (3) optimal strategies to enhance the widespread adoption and institutionalization of effective public health intervention programs.

One of the examples of specific topics of interest to CDC involves characterizing the factors necessary for the increased implementation of recommended prevention services of pregnant women infected with hepatitis B, their exposed newborns, and other family contacts.

Letters of intent are due by March 12 and applications by April 10.

To access a synopsis of this grant opportunity and other information, go to:
http://www.grants.gov/search/search.do?oppId=12558&mode=VIEW