Dated 7/16/07, the current version of the VIS for inactivated influenza vaccine (TIV; injectable) is now available in Spanish. IAC gratefully acknowledges the Immunization Branch of the California Department of Public Health for the translation.

To obtain a ready-to-print (PDF) version of the VIS for TIV in Spanish, go to: http://www.immunize.org/vis/spflu06.pdf

To obtain it in English, go to:
http://www.immunize.org/vis/2flu.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

[The following is cross posted from CDC's Immunization Works electronic newsletter, September 2007.]

GET READY FOR INFLUENZA SEASON: Influenza vaccine manufacturers are projecting that as many as 132 million doses of vaccine will be available for this season. Three manufacturers have already begun to ship this season's influenza vaccine, with almost all of the vaccine expected to be shipped and distributed in October and November.

On September 19, the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases (NFID), in partnership with the [National Influenza Vaccine] Summit, will sponsor the 10th Annual Influenza/Pneumoccoccal News Conference, which will be broadcast via live webcast and telephone. More information about this event can be found at http://www.visualwebcaster.com/NFID-NewsConference-2007 To promote influenza vaccination and improve protection of infants, children, and adolescents, NFID recently formed the Childhood Influenza Immunization Coalition (CIIC). CIIC held a teleconference in August and will continue to coordinate efforts across partners to improve influenza immunization rates among young children.

CDC has many influenza resources available at http://www.cdc.gov/flu and a gallery of educational materials for the public and healthcare providers at http://www.cdc.gov/flu/gallery Please check the CDC's Flu Gallery for new materials throughout the influenza season.

The National Influenza Vaccine Summit--a partnership of more than 100 stakeholders representing both public and private organizations in influenza vaccine research, production, distribution, advocacy, and administration--has a website with additional influenza resources: http://www.preventinfluenza.org In addition, the American Medical Association (AMA) hosts the Influenza Vaccine Availability Tracking System (IVATS) on its website. IVATS, a tool to assist healthcare professionals in finding vaccine to purchase, can be found at http://www.ama-assn.org/ama/pub/category/16919.html

CDC encourages anyone who wants to be protected against influenza to seek vaccination, especially those at increased risk for influenza-related complications, as well as those who live with or care for people at high risk--including healthcare providers, children between 6 months and up to 5 years of age, and people with chronic diseases such as diabetes, asthma, and heart disease, as well as people 50 years old and older.

While the best time for vaccination is October and November before the influenza season typically begins, vaccination can still provide protection in December and later because during most years influenza does not peak until February or later. Since influenza is unpredictable, and different types and strains of influenza circulate throughout the flu season, the CDC's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommends that influenza vaccine be offered throughout the influenza season--even after influenza has appeared or begun appearing in a community.

To help get the word out about late season vaccination, National Influenza Vaccination Week (NIVW) will take place November 26–December 2. More information about NIVW will be available in future issues of Immunization Works.

On September 17, CDC unveiled its new website for seasonal influenza, www.cdc.gov/flu Designed with a clean, user-friendly format, the site links users to five main categories of information: (1) basic materials on influenza disease, prevention, and treatment; (2) materials for health professionals; (3) materials for specific population groups; (4) influenza news; and (5) federal government websites for avian influenza, swine influenza, and pandemic influenza.

To access the new website, go to: http://www.cdc.gov/flu

The website of the Immunization Coalitions Technical Assistance Network (IZTA) features media resources created for CDC's 2007-08 national influenza campaign. IZTA is a program of the Center for Health Communication, Academy for Educational Development.

Available in English and Spanish, the resources include television and radio public service announcements (PSAs), black and white print ads, and sample newspaper articles. Intended audiences include African American seniors, Hispanic seniors, and parents of young children and of children with chronic health problems.

The materials are free and available to local, county, and state health departments and their partners for use in promoting influenza vaccination. To access the materials, go to: http://izta.org/resources.cfm?cat=23&subcat=65

IZTA will be adding new resources in early October, including a new TV PSA, color print ad, and newspaper articles.

[The following is cross posted from CDC's Immunization Works electronic newsletter, September 2007.]

NAIAW IN SEPTEMBER: National Adult Immunization Awareness Week (NAIAW) is September 23rd through September 29th. This year marks the 20th consecutive observance of NAIAW and is a great opportunity for individuals and organizations to promote the importance of adult and adolescent immunization. More information [including a comprehensive 84-page 2007 Campaign Kit from the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases and Tools and Presentations for NAIAW 2007 from the California Adult Immunization Coalition] can be found at http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/events/naiaw

The September issue of Immunization Works, a monthly email newsletter published by CDC, is available on the website of the National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases (NCIRD). The newsletter offers members of the immunization community non-proprietary information about current topics. CDC encourages its wide dissemination.

Most of the information in the September issue has appeared in this or previous issues of IAC Express. Following is the text of one article we have not covered.

Issues of Immunization Works are posted on CDC's Vaccines & Immunizations website a few days after publication. To access the September issue, go to:
http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/news/newsltrs/imwrks/2007/200709.htm

The Immunization Coalitions Technical Assistance Network (IZTA) conference call on October 23 will offer participants ideas for building support for immunization registries in their communities. IZTA is a program of the Center for Health Communication, Academy for Educational Development.

The presenter is Debbie McCune Davis, program director, The Arizona Partnership for Immunization (TAPI).

The October 23 call will be held at 1PM, ET. To register, send an email to izta@aed.org Include this message: "Sign me up for the immunization registries call."

For additional information, or to access earlier programs, go to: http://www.izta.org/confcall.cfm