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IAC Express 2007 |
| Issue number 696: November 26, 2007 |
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Contents
of this Issue
Select a title to jump to the article. |
-
Important: CDC publishes expanded ACIP recommendations for FluMist use in
children age 2-4 years, as well as other changes in the vaccine's use
- CDC
announces availability of an additional injectable influenza vaccine
- Maine
updates its mumps vaccination recommendations in response to mumps
outbreak
- MMWR
notifies readers that November 26-December 2 is National Influenza
Vaccination Week
- Adult
Immunization Schedule available in several more formats
- Check
your email: Wednesday's IAC Express Extra Edition will keep you up to date
on activities and resources for National Immunization Vaccination Week
-
Important: Be sure to administer influenza vaccine throughout the
influenza season--from fall 2007 through spring 2008
- VIS for
nasal-spray influenza vaccine now available in Arabic, Chinese, Korean,
Tagalog, and Vietnamese
- November
issue of CDC's Immunization Works e-newsletter covers seasonal influenza
and several other topics
- CDC
updates "Vaccine Management," an essential document on vaccine storage and
handling
- NFID's
S.T.O.P. Meningitis toolkit offers resources for immunizing adolescents
and young adults
- CDC's
plans December 13 satellite broadcast and webcast on VPD surveillance
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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 696: November 26, 2007 |
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1. |
Important: CDC publishes expanded ACIP recommendations for FluMist use in
children age 2-4 years, as well as other changes in the vaccine's use
CDC published "Notice to Readers: Expansion of
Use of Live
Attenuated Influenza Vaccine (FluMist) to Children Aged 2-4
Years and Other FluMist Changes for the 2007-08 Influenza
Season" in the November 23 issue of MMWR. The article is
reprinted below in its entirety, excluding references.
On September 19, 2007, MedImmune Vaccines (Gaithersburg,
Maryland) received approval from the Food and Drug
Administration (FDA) to expand the use of FluMist, a live,
attenuated influenza vaccine (LAIV), to children aged 2-4 years
(i.e., 24-49 months). FluMist is an intranasally administered
influenza vaccine that was first licensed by the FDA in 2003 for
healthy, nonpregnant persons aged 5-49 years. Expanding the age
indications to include healthy children aged 2-4 years provides
another influenza vaccination option for young children. In
granting the new approval, FDA emphasized that FluMist is not
approved for vaccination of children aged <2 years or adults
aged >49 years, and that FluMist safety has not been established
in persons with underlying medical conditions predisposing them
to influenza-related complications. In addition, FluMist should
not be administered to persons with asthma or children aged <5
years with recurrent wheezing.
New Recommendation for FluMist
In a randomized trial published in 2007, FluMist and trivalent
inactivated vaccine (TIV) were compared among children aged 6-59
months. Children with medically diagnosed or treated wheezing
within 42 days before enrollment, or a history of severe asthma,
were excluded from this study. FluMist had a 55% (95% confidence
interval [CI] = 45%-63%) greater efficacy compared with TIV in
preventing culture-confirmed influenza illness.
In the trial, among children aged 6-23 months, wheezing that
required bronchodilator therapy or that was associated with
significant respiratory symptoms occurred in 5.9% of FluMist
recipients, compared with 3.8% of those who received TIV (risk
ratio [RR] = 1.5, CI = 1.2-2.1). Wheezing was not greater among
children aged 24-59 months who received FluMist. In a previous
randomized placebo-controlled safety trial among children aged
12 months-17 years, an elevated risk for asthma events (RR =
4.06, CI = 1.29-17.86) was noted among 728 children aged 18-35
months who received FluMist; of the 16 children with asthma-related events, none required hospitalization, and elevated
risks for asthma were not observed in other age groups.
During 2006-2007, the Advisory Committee on Immunization
Practices (ACIP) influenza vaccine workgroup reviewed data on
the use of FluMist among children aged 2-4 years. On the basis
of these data, expert opinion of the workgroup members, and
consultation with representatives from the American Academy of
Pediatrics and immunization safety experts, the workgroup
revised recommendations for use of LAIV to include children aged
2-4 years, and presented its recommendations to ACIP. On October
24, 2007, ACIP recommended that either LAIV or TIV can be used
to vaccinate healthy non-pregnant persons aged 2-49 years. For
the purposes of this recommendation, healthy persons were
defined as persons who do not have an underlying medical
condition that predisposes them to influenza complications. ACIP
also approved use of FluMist for healthy persons aged 2-18 years
under the federal Vaccines for Children (VFC) program.
Although FDA licensure of FluMist excluded children aged 2-4
years with a history of asthma or recurrent wheezing, the
precise risk, if any, of wheezing caused by FluMist among these
children is unknown because experience with FluMist among these
young children is limited. Young children might not have a
history of recurrent wheezing if their exposure to respiratory
viruses has been limited because of their age. Certain children
might have a history of wheezing with respiratory illnesses but
have not had asthma diagnosed. The ACIP influenza vaccine
workgroup, with advice from consultants, developed the following
screening recommendations to assist persons who administer
influenza vaccines in providing the appropriate vaccine for
children aged 2-4 years.
Clinicians and immunization programs should screen for possible
reactive airways diseases when considering use of FluMist for
children aged 2-4 years, and should avoid use of this vaccine in
children with asthma or a recent wheezing episode. Healthcare
providers should consult the medical record, when available, to
identify children aged 2-4 years with asthma or recurrent
wheezing that might indicate asthma. In addition, to identify
children who might be at greater risk for asthma and possibly at
increased risk for wheezing after receiving LAIV, parents or
caregivers of children aged 2-4 years should be asked: "In the
past 12 months, has a healthcare provider ever told you that
your child had wheezing or asthma?" Children whose parents or
caregivers answer "yes" to this question and children who have
asthma or who had a wheezing episode noted in the medical record
within the past 12 months, should not receive FluMist. TIV is
available for use in children with asthma or possible reactive
airways diseases.
Other Changes in FluMist Use for 2007-08
Three other changes in the use of FluMist and its 2007-08
formulation should be noted; the amount of vaccine administered,
the temperature at which FluMist is shipped and stored after
delivery to the end-user, and the minimum interval between doses
have changed compared with the 2006-07 influenza season
formulation. First, FluMist is now supplied in a prefilled,
single-use sprayer containing 0.2 mL of vaccine instead of the
previous 0.5 mL dose. Persons administering FluMist should spray
0.1 mL (i.e., half of the total sprayer contents) into the first
nostril while the recipient is in an upright position. An
attached dose-divider clip should then be removed from the
sprayer and the second half of the dose administered into the
other nostril. Second, FluMist is now approved to be shipped to
end users at 35 degrees F-46 degrees F (2 degrees C-8 degrees C)
instead of being shipped and stored frozen. FluMist should be
stored at 35 degrees F-46 degrees F (2 degrees C-8 degrees C)
upon receipt, and can remain at that temperature until the
expiration date is reached. Third, the recommended interval from
the first to the second dose in children requiring 2 doses has
changed from a minimum of 6 weeks to a minimum of 4 weeks, the
same interval recommended between doses for TIV.
Regardless of the vaccine used, ACIP, the American Academy of
Pediatrics, and the American Academy of Family Physicians
recommend that children aged <9 years who have not previously
been administered an influenza vaccine should receive 2 doses
separated by 4 or more weeks in the initial year. Children aged
<9 years who did not receive the recommended second dose of
influenza vaccine in the initial year that they received
influenza vaccine should receive 2 doses separated by 4 or more
weeks before or during the next influenza season. This
recommendation applies only to the influenza season that follows
the first season that a child aged <9 years receives influenza
vaccine. Children aged <9 years who are being vaccinated two or
more seasons after receiving an influenza vaccine for the first
time should receive a single annual dose, regardless of the
number of doses administered previously. Additional information
is available from the manufacturer's package insert and
MedImmune Vaccines, telephone (877) 358-6478.
To access a web-text (HTML) version of the complete article, go
to: http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm5646a4.htm
To access a ready-to-print (PDF) version of this issue of MMWR,
go to: http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/PDF/wk/mm5646.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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2. |
CDC announces availability of an additional injectable influenza vaccine
CDC published "Notice to Readers: Availability of
Additional
Trivalent Inactivated Influenza Vaccine for Adults (Afluria)" in
the November 23 issue of MMWR. The article is reprinted below in
its entirety, excluding references.
On September 28, 2007, CSL Biotherapies, Inc., (King of Prussia,
Pennsylvania) received approval from the Food and Drug
Administration for use of Afluria, a trivalent inactivated
influenza vaccine (TIV) administered intramuscularly in persons
aged >=18 years. Afluria can be used for any adult influenza
vaccine indication.
The addition of Afluria brings to six (five TIVs and one live,
attenuated influenza vaccine) the number of seasonal influenza
vaccines licensed for the U.S. market. CDC estimates that
manufacturers of the six vaccines will supply a record 132
million doses of influenza vaccine for the 2007-08 influenza
season.
Afluria is available in a 0.5 mL preservative-free, single-dose,
prefilled syringe and in a 5 mL multidose vial containing 10
doses. Thimerosal, a mercury derivative, is added as a
preservative to the multidose vial; each 0.5 mL dose contains
24.5 micrograms of mercury. Additional information is available
from the manufacturer's package insert and CSL Biotherapies,
Inc., telephone (888) 435-8633.
To access a web-text (HTML) version of the complete article, go
to: http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm5646a5.htm
To access a ready-to-print (PDF) version of this issue of MMWR,
go to: http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/PDF/wk/mm5646.pdf
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3. |
Maine updates its mumps vaccination recommendations in response to mumps
outbreak
On November 19, the Maine Department of Health
and Human
Services (DHHS) issued a press release announcing that the Maine
Center for Disease Control and Prevention has updated the
state's recommendations for mumps vaccination in response to a
mumps outbreak in the state. Portions of the press release are
reprinted below.
Also on November 19, the website of the Maine DHHS posted a
health alert containing a broad spectrum of information for
healthcare professionals. The link to the health alert is given
at the end of this IAC Express article.
With four people being identified with a mumps infection over
the past month and results of tests on between one and two dozen
additional patients with the suspected illness pending, the
Department of Health and Human Services' Maine Center for
Disease Control and Prevention Director Dr. Dora Ann Mills said
that vaccination recommendations for mumps are being updated.
Maine now has seven people who have been diagnosed with the
illness, ranging in age from the late teens to the late 50s.
They reside in various towns in Southern and Central Maine.
"Because this outbreak has spread, we are updating vaccination
recommendations, especially among children, college and
university students, and hospital workers," Mills said. "These
are indicated priority populations for vaccine from experiences
in other outbreaks. . . ."
For kindergarten through 12th grade schools, the Maine CDC is
recommending:
- All vaccine records need to be reviewed and updated.
- For those children who are not updated with their MMR vaccine,
a letter should be given to the parents notifying them that
Maine is currently experiencing an outbreak of mumps, and that
if the infection is detected in their school their child will
needed to be excluded for at least 18 days.
For colleges and universities, the Maine CDC is recommending:
- All vaccine records need to be reviewed and updated.
- All college and university students should have documentation
of two doses of MMR, rather than the previously required one
dose. Most students would have had two doses as part of their
routine childhood vaccinations.
For hospital healthcare workers with direct patient care, the
Maine CDC is recommending:
- All hospital healthcare workers in hospitals who have direct
patient contact should have their vaccine records reviewed and
updated.
- Adequate mumps vaccination for those born during or after 1957
now consists of two doses of MMR, rather than the previously
required one dose.
- Adequate mumps vaccination for those born before 1957 now
consists of one dose of MMR, rather than no doses as
previously required. . .
Besides additional vaccinations, the Maine CDC will also be
recommending those who are infected to be isolated for nine days
after the onset of illness and those who are non-immune and who
are exposed to be isolated for about 18 days after the last
exposure.
For More Information
To access the complete press release, click
here.
To access the health alert, go to:
http://www.maine.gov/dhhs/boh/documents/2007PHADV016.pdf
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4. |
MMWR notifies readers that November 26-December 2 is National Influenza
Vaccination Week
CDC published "Notice to Readers: National
Influenza Vaccination
Week--November 26-December 2, 2007" in the November 23 issue of
MMWR. The article is reprinted below in its entirety, excluding
a figure and references.
To help raise awareness regarding the importance of obtaining
influenza vaccination throughout the entire influenza season,
the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, National
Influenza Vaccine Summit, CDC, and other partners are conducting
activities during the second annual National Influenza
Vaccination Week (NIVW), November 26-December 2.
Influenza vaccination coverage in all groups recommended for
vaccination remains suboptimal. Despite the timing of the peak
of influenza disease, administration of vaccine decreases
substantially after November. According to results from the
National Health Interview Survey regarding the two most recent
influenza seasons, approximately 84% of all influenza
vaccinations were administered during September-November. Among
persons aged >=65 years, the percentage of September-November
vaccinations was even higher, at 92% (CDC, unpublished data,
2007). Because many persons recommended for vaccination remain
unvaccinated at the end of November, CDC is encouraging public-health partners and healthcare providers to conduct vaccination
clinics and other activities that promote influenza vaccination
during NIVW and throughout the remainder of the influenza
season.
Each year, on average, approximately 15-60 million persons in
the United States are infected with influenza virus; an
estimated 200,000 persons are hospitalized from influenza
complications, and an estimated 36,000 persons die from those
complications. Influenza vaccination is the best way to prevent
influenza and potentially severe complications. CDC recommends
that anyone who wants to reduce their risk for influenza
infection should be vaccinated every influenza season. Annual
vaccination is particularly important for the following groups.
(1) persons at high risk for influenza-related complications and
severe disease, including:
- children aged 6-59 months,
- pregnant women,
- persons aged >=50 years,
- persons of any age with certain chronic medical
conditions; and
(2) persons who live with or care for persons at high risk,
including:
- household contacts and caregivers of persons in the above
groups,
- household contacts and caregivers of children aged <6
months (these children also are at high risk for
influenza-related complications but are too young to
receive influenza vaccination), and
- healthcare workers.
The time to receive influenza vaccination starts when vaccine
becomes available in the local community and continues into
January or later, when the influenza season typically peaks.
Throughout NIVW, CDC will be highlighting the importance of
influenza vaccination for persons at high risk, their close
contacts, and all those who want to be protected from influenza.
CDC, Families Fighting Flu, and other partners also have
designated Tuesday, November 27, as Children's Flu Vaccination
Day to put a special focus on the importance of vaccinating
children at high risk and their close contacts.
NIVW posters and other influenza educational materials are
available to download for local printing and distribution at
http://www.cdc.gov/flu/professionals/flugallery Other
influenza-related tools and information for healthcare
professionals and patients are available at http://www.cdc.gov/flu
To access a web-text (HTML) version of the complete article, go
to: http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm5646a3.htm
To access a ready-to-print (PDF) version of this issue of MMWR,
go to: http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/PDF/wk/mm5646.pdf
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5. |
Adult Immunization Schedule available in several more formats
The CDC website recently posted the Adult
Immunization Schedule
for October 2007-September 2008 in four additional formats:
black and white brochure size (11" x 17"), color brochure size
(11" x 17"), color regular size (8/5" x 11"), and color pocket
size (6" x 4.5").
To access, the Adult Immunization Schedule in all available CDC
versions, go to:
http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/recs/schedules/adult-schedule.htm
In addition, laminated copies of the Adult Immunization Schedule
are available for sale on the IAC website.
To access the laminated version of the Adult Immunization
Schedule, go to: http://www.immunize.org/shop/schedule_adult.asp
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6. |
Check your email: Wednesday's IAC Express Extra Edition will keep you up to
date on activities and resources for National Immunization Vaccination Week
On November 28, IAC will send IAC Express
subscribers an Extra
Edition full of information and resources related to National
Influenza Vaccination Week. Please look for it and share it with
your colleagues who are not IAC Express subscribers. (And
encourage them to become subscribers by going to
http://www.immunize.org/subscribe)
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7. |
Important: Be sure to administer influenza vaccine throughout the influenza
season--from fall 2007 through spring 2008
Influenza vaccination should continue from now
into the early
months of 2008. 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 Seasonal Flu web section at http://www.cdc.gov/flu
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8. |
VIS
for nasal-spray influenza vaccine now available in Arabic, Chinese, Korean,
Tagalog, and Vietnamese
The current version (dated 10/4/07) of the VIS
for live
attenuated influenza vaccine (LAIV; nasal spray) is now
available on the IAC website in Arabic, Chinese, Korean,
Tagalog, and Vietnamese. IAC gratefully acknowledges the
California Department of Health Services for the
translations.
To obtain a ready-to-print (PDF) version of the VIS for LAIV
vaccine in Arabic, go to:
http://www.immunize.org/vis/abLAIV06.pdf
To obtain the VIS for LAIV vaccine in Chinese, go to:
http://www.immunize.org/vis/chLAIV06.pdf
To obtain the VIS for LAIV vaccine in Korean, go to:
http://www.immunize.org/vis/koLAIV06.pdf
To obtain the VIS for LAIV vaccine in Tagalog, go to:
http://www.immunize.org/vis/taLAIV06.pdf
To obtain the VIS for LAIV vaccine in Vietnamese, go to:
http://www.immunize.org/vis/vnLAIV06.pdf
To obtain the VIS for LAIV vaccine 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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9. |
November issue of CDC's Immunization Works e-newsletter covers seasonal
influenza and several other topics
The November 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.
To mark the start of National Influenza Vaccination Week, the
November issue contains a special section focused on seasonal
influenza. Some of the information in the November issue has
already appeared in previous issues of IAC Express. Following is
the text of four articles we have not covered.
INFLUENZA UPDATE
NIVW STARTS MONDAY, NOVEMBER 26: To help raise awareness
regarding the importance of obtaining influenza vaccination
throughout the entire influenza season, HHS, the National
Influenza Vaccine Summit, CDC, and other partners are conducting
activities during the second annual National Influenza
Vaccination Week (NIVW), November 26-December 2.
Influenza vaccination coverage in all groups recommended for
vaccination remains suboptimal. Despite the timing of the peak
of influenza disease, administration of vaccine decreases
substantially after November. According to results from the
National Health Interview Survey regarding the two most recent
influenza seasons, approximately 84% of all influenza
vaccinations were administered during September-November. Among
persons 65 years or older, the percentage of September-November
vaccinations was even higher, at 92%. Because many persons
recommended for vaccination remain unvaccinated at the end of
November, CDC is encouraging public-health partners and
healthcare providers to conduct vaccination clinics and other
activities that promote influenza vaccination during NIVW and
throughout the remainder of the influenza season.
Each year, on average, approximately 15-60 million persons in
the United States are infected with influenza virus; an
estimated 200,000 persons are hospitalized from influenza
complications, and an estimated 36,000 persons die from those
complications. Influenza vaccination is the best way to prevent
influenza and potentially severe complications. CDC recommends
that anyone who wants to reduce their risk for influenza
infection should be vaccinated every influenza season. Annual
vaccination is particularly important for persons at high risk
for influenza-related complications and severe disease as well
as their close contacts.
The time to receive influenza vaccination starts when vaccine
becomes available in the local community, and continues into
January or later, when the influenza season typically peaks.
Throughout NIVW, CDC will be highlighting the importance of
influenza vaccination for persons at high risk, their close
contacts, and all those who want to be protected from influenza.
CDC, Families Fighting Flu, and other partners also have
designated Tuesday, November 27, as Children's Flu Vaccination
Day to put a special focus on the importance of vaccinating
children at high risk and their close contacts.
NIVW posters and other influenza educational materials are
available to download for local printing and distribution at
CDC's Flu Gallery
[http://www.cdc.gov/flu/professionals/flugallery]. Other
influenza-related tools and information for healthcare
professionals and patients are available at CDC's Influenza
Website [http://www.cdc.gov/flu]. More information about NIVW
can be found in the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report Notice
to Readers
[http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm5646a3.htm]
NATION'S INFLUENZA VACCINE SUPPLIES CONTINUE TO INCREASE: So far
this season 108 million doses of influenza vaccine have been
distributed by manufacturers and major distributors--more doses
than had ever previously been distributed in the U.S. in a
single season. CDC officials believe that most influenza vaccine
providers currently have supplies sufficient for meeting demand.
As many as 132 million total doses of vaccine could be produced
by the end of the 2007-2008 flu season, according to
manufacturers. This record amount would be about 12 million more
doses than were produced during the 2006-2007 season. During the
2006-2007 season, manufacturers distributed 102.5 million doses
to providers. CDC officials have worked closely with vaccine
manufacturers, distributors and the Food and Drug Administration
to ensure improved vaccine availability. Flu vaccine
distribution typically continues through December and early
January. For more information, see the CDC press release
[http://www.cdc.gov/od/oc/media/pressrel/2007/r071109.htm]
BREAKING FROM YOUR COMFORT ZONE: Please mark your calendars for
December 6, noon EST, when the National Influenza Vaccine Summit
and CDC will co-host a conference call about late season
influenza vaccination for healthcare providers and partner
constituents. Entitled Breaking from your Comfort Zone--Extending the Influenza Vaccination Season, the call will
explain why it is important to extend the influenza vaccination
season through March. The call will also provide up-to-the
minute information about influenza activity and the status of
influenza vaccine supply. More details about the call will be
posted soon on the CDC Vaccine Web Site and through other
partner communication channels.
FLU ACTIVITY AND SURVEILLANCE: Please bookmark the CDC Flu
Activity and Surveillance website
[http://www.cdc.gov/flu/weekly/fluactivity.htm] for weekly
reports with U.S. influenza surveillance data. This site will be
kept updated throughout the influenza season. The influenza
activity map has a new look that will allow a dynamic view of
the season's progression of influenza activity and will
facilitate making black and white photocopies.
FRONT PAGE NEWS
NEW ACIP RECOMMENDATIONS: On October 24-25, CDC's Advisory
Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) met in Atlanta, GA.
The ACIP meets three times annually and provides recommendations
to the Director of the CDC and the Secretary of HHS concerning
the prevention of vaccine-preventable diseases in the United
States. Below are key votes from the meeting [Note: IAC Express
has already covered two of the key votes; following is
information on the remaining one]:
Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine (PCV):
ACIP clarified existing Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine (PCV)
recommendations to emphasize its recommendation that for healthy
24-through-59 months-old children with an incomplete PCV
schedule, providers should administer one dose of PCV. For
incompletely vaccinated children 24 through 59 months with
underlying medical conditions, providers should administer two
doses of PCV (if they have previously received three doses they
only need one dose). The ACIP also recommended Meningococcal
Conjugate Vaccine (MCV4) for high risk children from 2 through
10 years old.
OTHER NEWS & SUMMARIES
UPDATE--CDC'S GLOBAL IMMUNIZATION ACTIVITIES: CDC recently led a
team to establish an all-vaccine preventable disease (VPD)
integrated surveillance system in Costa Rica with subject matter
experts in Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae type
b, rotavirus, and influenza. An integrated surveillance system
for VPDs will build upon existing VPD surveillance
infrastructure, highlight synergies, and conserve public health
resources. In other global immunization news, in October, CDC
led an immunization course in Atlanta to prepare Chinese
provincial and national health officials for the 2008 Olympics.
The course focused both on strategies for achieving regional
goals of Measles Elimination and Hepatitis B Control by 2012,
and on immunization systems issues in anticipation of the
expansion of China's routine vaccinations from 6 to 12
recommended antigens.
MEETINGS, CONFERENCES & RESOURCES
END OF AN ERA: The satellite broadcast series Epidemiology and
Prevention of Vaccine-Preventable Diseases has been presented at
least once a year since 1995. Because of escalating costs and
limited availability of the CDC broadcast facility the series
will no longer be presented as a live broadcast. Beginning in
2008 this training program will be available only on DVD and by
Internet. The 2008 series is expected to be available in late
spring. Additional details will be forthcoming in future
editions of this publication.
Issues of Immunization Works are posted on CDC's Vaccines &
Immunizations website a few days after publication. Once the
November issue is posted, you can access it by going to:
http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/news/newsltrs/imwrks Click on the
link titled "Nov" under the banner titled "2007 Newsletters
Available Online."
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10. |
CDC updates "Vaccine Management," an essential document on vaccine storage
and handling
Newly updated, "Vaccine Management," CDC's
comprehensive and
authoritative document on vaccine storage and handling, is now
available for downloading. The document covers an array of
vaccines (including combination vaccines) and succinctly
presents the following information on each:
-
Shipping requirements
-
Condition on arrival
-
Storage requirements
-
Shelf life
-
Instructions for use
-
Shelf life after opening
-
Special instructions
To access a ready-to-print (PDF) version of "Vaccine
Management," go to:
http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/pubs/downloads/bk-vac-mgt.pdf
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11. |
NFID's S.T.O.P. Meningitis toolkit offers resources for immunizing
adolescents and young adults
The National Foundation for Infectious Diseases'
(NFID's)
S.T.O.P. Meningitis Toolkit offers healthcare professionals and
patients information on meningitis disease and vaccine.
To access the toolkit, go to: http://66.11.193.178/main.html
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12. |
CDC's plans December 13 satellite broadcast and webcast on VPD surveillance
CDC published "Notice to Readers: Satellite
Broadcast:
Surveillance of Vaccine-Preventable Diseases 2007" in the
November 23 issue of MMWR. The article is reprinted below in its
entirety, excluding references.
On December 13, 2007, CDC and the Public Health Training Network
will present the satellite broadcast and webcast, Surveillance
of Vaccine-Preventable Diseases 2007. The 3.5-hour broadcast
will occur live from 9:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. EST. This program
is designed to provide information on case investigation,
outbreak control, and disease reporting for vaccine-preventable
diseases, and will discuss methods of enhancing surveillance and
completing case investigations. The program is specifically
targeted to persons with surveillance responsibilities (e.g.,
those in state health departments). The broadcast will feature a
live question-and-answer session in which participants
nationwide can interact with course instructors via toll-free
telephone lines. Continuing education credits will be provided.
Additional information about the program is available at
http://www2a.cdc.gov/phtn/vpd-07
Information for site administrators about establishing and
registering a viewing location is available at
http://www.cdc.gov/tceonline No registration is necessary to
access the webcasts via an Internet connection. The link to the
live webcast is available at
http://www2a.cdc.gov/phtn/webcast/vpd-07 The webcast will be
accessible through an Internet connection until January 14,
2008. The program will become available as a self-study DVD and
Internet-based program in January 2008.
To access a web-text (HTML) version of the complete article, go
to: http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm5646a6.htm
To access a ready-to-print (PDF) version of this issue of MMWR,
go to: http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/PDF/wk/mm5646.pdf
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