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IAC Express 2007 |
| Issue number 685: September 24, 2007 |
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Contents
of this Issue
Select a title to jump to the article. |
- New: FDA
approves use of FluMist nasal-spray influenza vaccine in children age 2-5
years
- Health
experts deplore low influenza vaccination rates and call for vaccination
throughout fall and winter months
- CDC data
show low influenza vaccination rates for older and at-risk adults
- CDC data
indicate that fewer than one-third of children age 6-23 months received
influenza vaccine during 2005-06
- CDC data
from six sentinel sites point to low influenza vaccination coverage for
children age 6-59 months in 2006-07
- VISs for
shingles, HPV, DTaP, and PCV7 vaccines available in Hmong, Somali, and/or
Russian
-
Nominations due September 27 for Association of Immunization Managers
Bull's-Eye Award
- Global
Hepatitis A Meeting planned for November 30- December 1 in Miami;
abstracts due October 1
- CDC
reports on progress in controlling measles in Kenya during 2002-07
- CDC
reports on laboratory surveillance for wild and vaccine-derived
polioviruses
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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; AMA, American Medical Association; CDC, Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention; FDA, Food and Drug Administration; IAC, Immunization
Action Coalition; MMWR, Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report; NCIRD,
National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases; NIVS, National
Influenza Vaccine Summit; VIS, Vaccine Information Statement; VPD,
vaccine-preventable disease; WHO, World Health Organization. |
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Issue 685: September 24, 2007 |
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1. |
New: FDA approves use of FluMist nasal-spray influenza vaccine in children
age 2-5 years
On September 19, FDA issued a press release
announcing that it
approved the use of FluMist nasal-spray influenza vaccine in
children age 2-5 years. The nasal-spray vaccine, also known as
live attenuated influenza vaccine (LAIV), is now recommended for
use in people age 2-49 years. Previously, it had been
recommended for those age 5-49 years. The press release is
reprinted below in its entirety.
Also on September 19, CDC's seasonal influenza website posted
several online resources for health professionals that have been
revised to reflect the expanded age range for LAIV. Links to
those resources appear at the end of this IAC Express article.
[FDA press release]
FDA APPROVES NASAL INFLUENZA VACCINE FOR USE IN YOUNGER CHILDREN
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration today approved expanding
the population for use of the nasal influenza vaccine FluMist to
include children between the ages of 2 and 5.
Approval for the vaccine, which contains a weakened form of the
live virus and is sprayed in the nose, was previously limited to
healthy children 5 years of age and older and to adults up to
age 49.
"The goal of preventing influenza is now more attainable with
the availability of FluMist for younger children," said Jesse L.
Goodman, MD, director, FDA's Center for Biologics Evaluation and
Research. "This approval also offers parents and health
professionals a needle-free option for squeamish toddlers, who
may be reluctant to get a traditional influenza shot."
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends
that all children age 6 months to 59 months receive a
vaccination to protect against influenza. Studies have shown
that children younger than 5 years had rates of influenza-associated hospitalizations similar to those among individuals
age 50 through 64 years, emphasizing the need for improved
influenza prevention efforts for this younger U.S. population.
However, until today, there have been only two vaccines licensed
in the U.S. for children under the age of 5. One influenza
vaccine, Fluzone, is indicated for people over 6 months of age,
while another vaccine, Fluvirin, is available for use in
children age 4 and older.
Approximately 6,400 infants and children age 6 months to 59
months received FluMist in three studies to support the
vaccine's safety and effectiveness. Two studies compared FluMist
to placebo (no vaccine), both of which demonstrated the
vaccine's effectiveness in preventing influenza illness. A third
study compared FluMist to an inactivated or "killed" seasonal
influenza vaccine shot. The results showed that there were 53
cases of influenza disease among 3,900 children who received
FluMist compared to 93 cases among the same number of children
who received an inactivated or "killed" seasonal influenza
vaccine shot. Children under the age of 2 should not receive
FluMist because there was an increased risk of hospitalization
and wheezing for this age group during the clinical trials.
Commonly observed adverse events from the vaccine were generally
mild and most often included runny nose and/or nasal congestion,
as well as a slight fever in children 2 to 6 years of age.
FluMist should not be administered to anyone with asthma or to
children under the age of 5 years with recurrent wheezing
because of the potential for increased wheezing after receiving
the vaccine. People who are allergic to any of FluMist's
components, including eggs or egg products, should also not
receive the vaccine.
FluMist is manufactured by MedImmune Vaccines, Inc.,
Gaithersburg, MD. Fluvirin is made by Novartis Vaccines and
Diagnostics Ltd, Liverpool, England. Fluzone is manufactured by
sanofi pasteur Inc., Swiftwater, PA.
To access the press release, go to:
http://www.fda.gov/bbs/topics/NEWS/2007/NEW01705.html
- [Updated online resources]
Update: Questions & Answers: The Nasal-Spray Flu Vaccine (Live
Attenuated Influenza Vaccine [LAIV])
- Update: Influenza Symptoms
- Update: Questions & Answers: Seasonal Influenza Vaccine Supply
and Vaccination Prioritization Recommendations for the U.S.
2007-08 Influenza Season
- Update: Questions & Answers: Seasonal Influenza Vaccine
Production, Supply, and Distribution in the United States
- Update: HIV/AIDS and the Flu
- Update: Questions & Answers: Seasonal Flu Vaccine
- Update: Key Facts About Seasonal Flu Vaccine
To access the resources listed above, go to:
http://www.cdc.gov/flu/whatsnew.htm and click on the pertinent
link.
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2. |
Health experts deplore low influenza vaccination rates and call for
vaccination throughout fall and winter months
On September 19, the National Foundation for
Infectious Diseases
(NFID) held a press conference in collaboration with
representatives from the National Influenza Vaccine Summit, CDC,
AAP, AMA, and other national organizations. Portions of a press
release summarizing the conference are reprinted below.
SERIOUSLY LOW VACCINATION RATES CAUSE EXPERTS TO CALL FOR
INCREASED IMMUNIZATION BEFORE INFLUENZA SEASON PEAKS
Paradigm Shift Needed to Ensure Americans Seek Vaccination Now
Through the Fall and Winter Months
New data, released today by the Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention (CDC), show alarmingly low influenza vaccination
rates in both adults and children. CDC joined the National
Foundation for Infectious Diseases (NFID) and the nation'sleading health organizations at a national news conference
urging increased efforts for Americans to seek immunization
against influenza throughout the fall and winter.
"We need to re-think the influenza immunization season and
encourage vaccination throughout the fall and winter for anyone
wishing to be protected," said Julie L. Gerberding, MD, MPH,
director, CDC. "More doses are expected this year than in
previous seasons and there is ample time to be immunized."
Dr. Gerberding issued this urgent public health message with
leaders from the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP),American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), American Medical
Association (AMA), Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
(CMS), CDC, and NFID, in partnership with the National Influenza
Vaccine Summit, at a news conference this morning at the
National Press Club in Washington, DC.
Dr. Gerberding also released new CDC vaccination coverage rates
for adults and children, which reinforced the need for ongoing
efforts to improve influenza immunization throughout the entire
season. During the 2005-2006 season, only one in five children
aged 6-23 months were fully vaccinated and little more than one
in ten children needing two doses received both doses. Influenza
vaccine coverage varied substantially among states, but no state
had more than 40 percent of children fully vaccinated.
In addition, this CDC report, released during NFID's news
conference, indicates that influenza vaccination coverage in all
states during the 2005-2006 influenza season was substantially
below the national 60 percent target for persons aged 18-64
years with high-risk conditions, and the 90 percent target for
persons aged 65 years and older.
Annual Severe Disease Burden Reinforces Importance of
Vaccination
Influenza is responsible for about 36,000 deaths and more than
200,000 hospitalizations in the U.S. each year. In addition, the
disease results in more than $87 billion of U.S. economic burden
annually (e.g., hospitalization costs, missed days of work, lost
lives, etc.). Influenza can be especially severe for those with
high-risk conditions (e.g., diabetes, heart disease), and recent
studies have also found the illness may trigger up to 92,000
cardiac deaths per year nationwide.
"While we cannot predict influenza virus activity each season,
we do know that annual vaccination will help protect individuals
against influenza and also reduce spread of the virus to
others," said Jeanne M. Santoli, MD, MPH, deputy director of the
CDC's Immunization Services Division.
The CDC recommends an annual influenza vaccination for anyone,
including school-aged children, who wishes to reduce their risk
for contracting the illness or spreading the disease to others.
Additionally, vaccination is important for certain populations
at increased risk for severe complications, including children
from 6 months up to 5 years of age, people with chronic medical
conditions (e.g., asthma, diabetes, heart disease, HIV), and
pregnant women. Immunization is also recommended for persons 50
years of age and older, healthcare professionals and all others
in close contact with high-risk populations, particularly
[those] in contact with children younger than 6 months of age
who cannot receive influenza vaccine. This includes parents,
grandparents, siblings, and babysitters.
"Not only does annual influenza vaccination help protect
yourself, it also helps create a 'cocoon of protection' for
those around you," said William Schaffner, MD, NFID vice
president. "Vaccination is the best way to prevent influenza
from infecting yourself and others, including family, friends,
schoolchildren, and co-workers, and is the right thing to do for
your community this and every influenza season. . . ."
To access a video of the press conference and a copy of the
press release, you will need to register by going to
http://medianfid.nfidinitiatives.org After registering, scroll
down to be taken to the video and to a link to the press
release.
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3. |
CDC data show low influenza vaccination rates for older and at-risk adults
CDC published "State-Specific Vaccination
Coverage Among Adults
Aged >=18 Years--United States, 2003–04 and 2005–06 Influenza
Seasons" in the September 21 issue of MMWR. Portions of an
article synopsis made available to the press are reprinted
below.
Influenza epidemics occur seasonally and result in substantial
morbidity and mortality among adults in the United States. Among
adults, annual influenza vaccination is recommended for anyone
who wants it for their own protection as well as for prevention
of transmission to others, but especially for all persons aged
>=50 years and persons 18-49 years of age with high-risk
conditions. To evaluate state-specific recent progress toward
the Healthy People 2010 (HP2010) objectives, we compared data
from the 2004 and 2006 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance
System surveys, which reflected vaccine received for the 2003-2004 and 2005-2006 influenza seasons. In the 2005-06 season,
influenza vaccination coverage levels among persons aged 18-49
years with high-risk conditions, persons aged 50-64 years, and
persons aged >=65 years were 30.5%, 36.6%, and 69.3%,
respectively. Influenza vaccination coverage for the 2005–06
season remained substantially below HP2010 targets in all states
and was four to nine median percentage points lower than
coverage during the 2003–04 season. Thus, vaccination rates in
the 2005–06 season had not returned to levels observed before
the vaccine shortage of 2004–05. Comprehensive measures are more
widely needed to improve influenza vaccination coverage among
adult populations in the United States.
To access a web-text (HTML) version of the complete MMWR
article, go to:
http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm5637a1.htm
To access a ready-to-print (PDF) version of this issue of MMWR,
go to: http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/PDF/wk/mm5637.pdf
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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4. |
CDC data indicate that fewer than one-third of children age 6-23 months
received influenza vaccine during 2005-06
CDC published "Influenza Vaccination Coverage
Among Children
Aged 6–23 Months--United States, September–December, 2005–06
Influenza Season" in the September 21 issue of MMWR. Portions of
an article synopsis made available to the press are reprinted
below.
Children aged <2 years are at increased risk for influenza-related hospitalizations, and those aged <5 years have more
influenza-related healthcare visits than older children. In
2004, the ACIP recommended annual influenza vaccination of
children aged 6–23 months, with 2 doses at least 4 weeks apart
for those receiving influenza vaccination for the first time. To
assess influenza vaccination coverage among children aged 6–23
months during the 2005–06 influenza season, data from the 2006
National Immunization Survey (NIS) were analyzed. The findings
indicate that 32% of children in this age group received at
least 1 dose of influenza vaccine and 21% were fully vaccinated
according to ACIP recommendations, with substantial variability
among states. The results underscore the need to continue to
monitor childhood influenza vaccination coverage among young
children and develop systems to more efficiently provide
influenza vaccination services.
To access a web-text (HTML) version of the complete MMWR
article, go to:
http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm5637a2.htm
To access a ready-to-print (PDF) version of this issue of MMWR,
go to: http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/PDF/wk/mm5637.pdf
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5. |
CDC data from six sentinel sites point to low influenza vaccination coverage
for children age 6-59 months in 2006-07
CDC published "Influenza Vaccination Coverage
Among Children
Aged 6–59 Months--Six Immunization Information System Sentinel
Sites, United States, 2006–07 Influenza Season" in the September
21 issue of MMWR. An article synopsis made available to the
press is reprinted below in its entirety.
Public health officials should consider Immunization Information
Systems (IIS) an important way to rapidly assess influenza
vaccination coverage during or shortly following an influenza
season. This information can help to increase influenza
vaccination coverage by alerting officials to areas with low
vaccine coverage during the season and help shape the public
health message for the next season.
This is the first assessment of influenza vaccination coverage
among children 6-59 months of age during the 2006-07 influenza
season. Findings from 6 IIS, indicate that at all 6 sites, <30%
of children aged 6–23 months and <20% of children aged 24–59
months were fully vaccinated. IIS can help public health
officials monitor vaccination coverage among children by
tracking local data throughout the influenza season. Such
tracking can alert local and state public health agencies to
gaps in coverage during the influenza season in time to
recommend vaccination for those children who are not fully
vaccinated against influenza.
To access a web-text (HTML) version of the complete MMWR
article, go to:
http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm5637a3.htm
To access a ready-to-print (PDF) version of this issue of MMWR,
go to: http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/PDF/wk/mm5637.pdf
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6. |
VISs for shingles, HPV, DTaP, and PCV7 vaccines available in Hmong, Somali,
and/or Russian
The VISs for shingles vaccine and human
papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine are now available on the IAC website in Hmong,
Russian, and Somali. The VIS for diphtheria-tetanus-acellular pertussis (DTaP)
vaccine is available in Hmong and Somali, and the VIS for pneumococcal
conjugate vaccine (PCV7) is available in Hmong and Russian. IAC gratefully
acknowledges the Minnesota Department of Health for the translations.
SHINGLES VACCINE VIS (current version dated 9/11/06)
To access a ready-to-print (PDF) version of the shingles vaccine VIS in Hmong,
go to:
http://www.immunize.org/vis/hm_shingles.pdf
To access it in Russian, go to:
http://www.immunize.org/vis/ru_shingles.pdf
To access it in Somali, go to:
http://www.immunize.org/vis/so_shingles.pdf
To access it in English, go to:
http://www.immunize.org/vis/shingles.pdf
HPV VACCINE VIS (current version dated 2/2/07)
To access a ready-to-print (PDF) version of the HPV vaccine VIS in Hmong, go
to:
http://www.immunize.org/vis/hm_hpv.pdf
To access it in Russian, go to:
http://www.immunize.org/vis/ru_hpv.pdf
To access it in Somali, go to:
http://www.immunize.org/vis/so_hpv.pdf
To access it in English, go to:
http://www.immunize.org/vis/vis-hpv-gardasil.pdf
DTaP VACCINE VIS (current version dated 5/17/07)
To access a ready-to-print (PDF) version of the DTaP vaccine VIS in Hmong, go
to:
http://www.immunize.org/vis/hmdtap01.pdf
To access it in Somali, go to:
http://www.immunize.org/vis/sodtap01.pdf
To access it in English, go to:
http://www.immunize.org/vis/dtap01.pdf
PCV7 VACCINE VIS (current version dated 9/30/02)
To access a ready-to-print (PDF) version of the PCV7 vaccine VIS in Hmong, go
to:
http://www.immunize.org/vis/hmpnPCV7.pdf
To access it in Russian, go to:
http://www.immunize.org/vis/rupnPCV7.pdf
To access it in English, go to:
http://www.immunize.org/vis/pnPCV7.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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7. |
Nominations due September 27 for Association of Immunization Managers
Bull's-Eye Award
The Association of Immunization Managers (AIM)
Bull's-Eye Award
for Innovation and Excellence in Immunization is presented to a
local, tribal, territorial, or state government immunization
program to recognize excellence and/or innovation demonstrated
through an outstanding project or initiative. Three Bull's-Eye
Awards will be presented at the Immunization Program Managers
meeting on November 6, and award winners will be given an
opportunity to showcase their project through presentations at
the meeting.
Background materials and nomination forms can be found on the
AIM website, http://www.immunizationmanagers.org All
submissions must be emailed to aimbullseye@hotmail.com by
September 27, using the format detailed on the 2007 AIM Bull's-Eye Award Nomination Form. The recipients will receive a plaque
at the Immunization Program Managers meeting and a cash award of
$100.
For more information, contact Claire Hannan, AIM executive
director, at channan@astho.org or (301) 424-6080.
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8. |
Global Hepatitis A Meeting planned for November 30-December 1 in Miami;
abstracts due October 1
A Global Hepatitis A Meeting will be held in
Miami on November
30-December 1. The meeting is sponsored by the University of
Antwerp (Belgium), CDC, and Pan American Health Organization,
and is endorsed by the American Association for the Study of
Liver Diseases. For comprehensive meeting information, including
a link to the meeting agenda, go to: http://www.havmeeting.info
Abstracts are due October 1. To access information on abstract
submission, go to: http://www.havmeeting.info/index.php?S=abst
To access information on registration, and to register online,
go to: http://www.havmeeting.info/index.php?S=regi
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9. |
CDC
reports on progress in controlling measles in Kenya during 2002-07
CDC published "Progress in Measles
Control--Kenya, 2002–2007" in
the September 21 issue of MMWR. An article synopsis made
available to the press is reprinted below in its entirety.
This article shows that supplementary measles vaccination
campaigns can help increase coverage of other life-saving
interventions to high levels, [but] delaying a campaign may
allow a large measles outbreak to occur.
Kenya cut measles cases by over 99% from 2002–2004 as the result
of a well-done large-scale vaccination campaign, and improved
routine vaccination services, disease surveillance, and measles
case management. In 2005, Kenya delayed a scheduled follow-up
campaign to 2006 to include distribution of another life-saving
measure, long-lasting insecticide-treated bed nets that can
prevent malaria. The delay allowed >90% of children at risk for
malaria to receive a treated bed net, but during that time a
measles outbreak occurred affecting approximately 2,500 people
and leading to at least 24 deaths. Despite the documented
advantages of integrating measles supplemental immunization
activities (SIAs) with other life-saving interventions, in some
countries, consideration should be given to the risks of
delaying measles SIAs in order to gain the benefits of the other
interventions.
To access a web-text (HTML) version of the complete MMWR
article, go to:
http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm5637a5.htm
To access a ready-to-print (PDF) version of this issue of MMWR,
go to: http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/PDF/wk/mm5637.pdf
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10. |
CDC reports on laboratory surveillance for wild and vaccine-derived
polioviruses
CDC published "Laboratory Surveillance for Wild
and Vaccine-Derived Polioviruses" in the September 21 issue of MMWR. An
article synopsis made available to the press is reprinted below
in its entirety.
The Global Polio Laboratory Network (GPLN) provides critical,
detailed laboratory data in support of the WHO Global Polio
Eradication Initiative (PEI).
The data are used to identify endemic reservoir areas so that
immunization activities can be most effectively targeted and
vaccine strategies optimized. The laboratory data also inform
plans for eventual Oral Polio Vaccine cessation. The GPLN
continues to maintain high performance standards despite
challenges of ever increasing workloads, particularly in polio-endemic regions. The GPLN continues to be responsive to the
changing needs of the PEI, for example by implementing a new
diagnostic algorithm for cutting the time for poliovirus
identification in half and developing more sensitive methods for
detecting genetically divergent vaccine-derived polioviruses.
To access a web-text (HTML) version of the complete MMWR
article, go to:
http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm5637a4.htm
To access a ready-to-print (PDF) version of this issue of MMWR,
go to: http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/PDF/wk/mm5637.pdf
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