Every Child By Two (ECBT) officially launched its campaign "Vaccinate Your Baby" along with the American Academy of Pediatrics and actress Amanda Peet on August 5 in New York City. The campaign's purpose is to urge parents to immunize their babies against vaccine-preventable diseases and address misinformation about vaccines that causes confusion among parents and puts children at risk.

The campaign includes Public Service Announcements featuring Ms. Peet and a new website, http://www.vaccinateyourbaby.org, which features information for parents who want to get the facts about childhood immunization.

ECBT would like to spread the word about this new site with the support of partners like IAC Express readers. They have created online buttons that you can add to your own site, blog, or email. It is easy to download them--just visit http://www.vaccinateyourbaby.org/partner and follow the instructions. Alternatively, you can check out this Facebook page: http://www.new.facebook.com/pages/Vaccinate-Your-Baby/28164899111 and become a fan.

Please take a few moments (or longer!) to visit the new site http://www.vaccinateyourbaby.org; we really think it is a great resource that parents and practitioners alike will find valuable. Features of the site include:

• Video welcome message from our spokesperson and new mother, actress Amanda Peet
   
• Video PSAs that will be running nationally to promote the campaign
   
• Interactive timeline that illustrates the enormous beneficial impact vaccines have had over the years
   
• Links to the latest scientific studies, research, expert commentary and news about vaccines
   
• Information that addresses the allegations there is a link between vaccines and autism
   
• Detailed descriptions about vaccine safety, including information about ingredients, production, and scheduling
   
• Opportunity to subscribe to a newsletter to stay informed of the latest campaign activities and related news

Please feel free to share any comments you have about the site with EBCT at info@ecbt.org

On August 5, FDA announced that it had approved this year's seasonal influenza vaccines that include new strains of the virus likely to cause influenza in the United States during the 2008-09 season.

The six vaccines and their manufacturers are CSL Limited, Afluria; GlaxoSmithKline Biologicals, Fluarix; ID Biomedical Corporation of Quebec, FluLaval; MedImmune Vaccines Inc., FluMist; Novartis Vaccines and Diagnostics Limited, Fluvirin; and Sanofi Pasteur Inc., Fluzone.

Approval information and specific indications can be found at
http://www.fda.gov/cber/flu/flu2008.htm

The related FDA press release can be accessed at
http://www.fda.gov/bbs/topics/NEWS/2008/NEW01872.html

CDC published "Prevention and Control of Influenza: Recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), 2008" in the August 8 MMWR Recommendations and Reports. Previously, the recommendations were available in electronic format as an MMWR Early Release.

Reminder: the 2008-09 ACIP influenza vaccination recommendations have been expanded to include annual vaccination for all children and teens ages 5 through 18 years. Vaccination of all children ages 6 months through 18 years should begin before or during the 2008-09 influenza season if feasible, but no later than during the 2009-10 influenza season. See the official recommendations at the link below for details.

To access a ready-to-print (PDF) version of the influenza recommendations, go to:
http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/pdf/rr/rr5707.pdf

To access a web-text (HTML) version of them, go to:
http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/rr5707a1.htm

IAC recently reviewed and updated the following three educational pieces.

Newly licensed vaccines Pentacel, Kinrix, and Rotarix were added to "Notification of Vaccination Letter." To access this revised resource, go to: http://www.immunize.org/catg.d/p3060.pdf

The title was changed, and Tdap, zoster, HPV vaccines were added to "Before you vaccinate adults, consider their 'H-A-L-O!'" To access this revised resource, go to:
http://www.immunize.org/catg.d/p3070.pdf

National statistics were updated and other minor changes made to "Hepatitis B: Questions and Answers." To access this revised resource, go to:
http://www.immunize.org/catg.d/p4205.pdf

To find Q&A's about all vaccine-preventable diseases, go to:
http://www.immunize.org/printmaterials/questions.asp

IAC's Print Materials web section has more than 175 FREE, ready-to-print English-language resources for healthcare professionals and the public--as well as many in translation. To access all of IAC's print resources, go to: http://www.immunize.org/printmaterials

The National Association of School Nurses' (NASN) "Give Your Kid A Boost!" campaign offers resources to help educate parents, preteens, and teens about the need for a dose of Tdap for protection against pertussis.

The available materials include background information in English and Spanish, a video testimonial, fact sheets, and more. As part of this campaign Jean Grabell, NASN Executive Committee member and mother of Lucas Grabell of "High School Musical" fame, encourages parents to talk to their child's healthcare provider about protection from pertussis. Visitors to the campaign website can send an e-postcard to friends with a message from Lucas and Jean.

To access these new resources, go to http://www.nasn.org and click on "Give Your Kids a Boost!"

The 16th annual Louisiana Shots for Tots conference will take place November 20-21 in New Orleans. Presenters include Paul Offit, MD, Vaccine Education Center, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia; and Bill Atkinson, MD, MPH, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

For more information about the agenda or registration dates and fees, go to: http://www.shotsfortots.com/html/conference.html Those without Internet access can call (504) 838-5300 or email gina.deris@charter.net