IAC Express 2009 |
Issue number 780: February 16, 2009 |
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as well as other FREE IAC periodicals. |
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Contents
of this Issue
Select a title to jump to the article. |
- IAC's
popular laminated versions of the 2009 child/teen and adult immunization
schedules are now available. Place your order today!
- Vaccine
Court rules that MMR vaccine, when administered with thimerosal-containing
vaccines, does not cause autism
- Lead
author "changed and misreported" research data published in the 1998
Lancet article that sparked MMR-autism scare, Sunday Times investigation
indicates
- IAC's
Video of the Week features a specialized image analysis of several phases
of cough airflow
- February
issue of CDC's Immunization Works electronic newsletter recently released
- CDC's
update on 2008-09 influenza season indicates increasing activity beginning
at the end of January
-
Important: Be sure to give influenza vaccine throughout the influenza
season--through spring 2009
- American
Idol's Brook White will give a concert at the school of the teen whose
video wins an influenza prevention contest
-
Correction: Error fixed on Korean version of HPV vaccine VIS
- "CDC
Features" includes information that encourages vaccination to protect
children against Hib disease
- Project
Immunize Virginia plans the tenth Vaccine Update Conference for April 3 in
Richmond
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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 780: February 16, 2009 |
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1. |
IAC's popular laminated versions of the 2009 child/teen and adult
immunization schedules are now available. Place your order today!
A pair of 2009 laminated immunization schedules
will be a useful and welcome addition to every exam room at your practice
site. We offer them for two age groups. The child/teen immunization schedule
is for people ages 0 through 18 years. It is adapted from CDC's "Recommended
Immunization Schedules for Persons Aged 0 Through 18 Years, United States,
2009," which was endorsed by the Advisory Committee on Immunization
Practices, American Academy of Pediatrics, and American Academy of Family
Physicians. The adult schedule is for those older than 18. It is adapted from
CDC's "Recommended Adult Immunization Schedule, United States, 2009," which
was endorsed by Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, American
Academy of Family Physicians, American College of Obstetricians and
Gynecologists, and American College of Physicians.
For the second year in a row, IAC has included a significant feature on the
two laminated schedules. The laminated child/teen schedule includes a "Guide
to Contraindications and Precautions to Commonly Used Vaccines in Children
and Teens." The laminated adult schedule includes a "Guide to
Contraindications and Precautions to Commonly Used Vaccines in Adults." IAC
adapted the guides from "General Recommendations on Immunization:
Recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices," which
was published in the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report on December 1,
2006. IAC recently updated the two guides to reflect contraindications and
precautions found in vaccine-specific recommendations that were published
after December 1, 2006. Healthcare professionals will find the updated guides
extremely valuable in making an on-the-spot determination about vaccinating
any patient.
The new 2009 laminated schedules are coated in plastic to withstand
heavy-duty use. They come complete with essential footnotes and are printed
in color for easy reading. Each schedule has six pages (i.e., three
double-sided pages), and when folded, measures 8.5" x 11".
To learn more about the schedules, to view images of each, or to order online
or download an order form, visit
www.immunize.org/shop
Prices start at $10 each for 1-4 copies and drop to $6.50 each for 5-19
copies. Discount pricing is available for 20 or more copies. For quotes on
customizing or placing orders in excess of 999 schedules, call (651) 647-9009
or email admininfo@immunize.org
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2. |
Vaccine Court rules that MMR vaccine, when administered with thimerosal-containing
vaccines, does not cause autism
On February 12, three Special Masters of the U.S.
Court of
Federal Claims issued separate rulings related to autism and
vaccine injury compensation cases. As reported in CDC's February
2009 Immunization Works newsletter, "each of the Special Masters
ruled that the measles-mumps-rubella vaccine, whether
administered alone or in conjunction with thimerosal-containing
vaccines, were not causal factors in the development of autism
or autism spectrum disorders." A link to the February
Immunization Works is given at the end of this IAC Express
article.
The rulings are part of the Omnibus Autism Proceeding created by
the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program to handle the
large number of claims (more than 4,900) that vaccines induce
autism. The rulings can be appealed. Links to the rulings are
given at the end of this IAC Express article.
Also on February 12, Every Child By Two (ECBT) issued a press
release on the rulings, and the Department of Health and Human
Services (HHS), American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), American
Medical Association issued statements. Links to the HHS, AAP,
and AMA statements are given at the end of this IAC Express
article. The ECBT press release is reprinted below.
FEDERAL COURT DECLARES VACCINES DO NOT CAUSE AUTISM
The U.S. Court of Federal Claims today exonerated vaccines in
the debate over the causes of autism. The three judges ruled
that the measles-mumps-rubella vaccine (MMR), given in
combination with thimerosal-containing vaccines, does not cause
autism. The ruling is consistent with 18 major scientific
studies which have failed to show a link between vaccines and
the widely-diagnosed neurodevelopmental disorder.
The decision is the result of an extensive deliberation by three
Special Masters, judges responsible for claims filed in the
National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program. In his opinion on
general causation, and the specific case of Michelle Cedillo,
Special Master George Hastings wrote, "The petitioners have
failed to persuade me that there is validity to any of their
general causation arguments, and have also failed to persuade me
that there is any substantial likelihood that Michelle's MMR
vaccination contributed in any way to the causation of any of
Michelle's own disorders." Hastings further stated that the
advice given to the Cedillos by their physicians "suggesting a
causal connection between Michelle's MMR vaccination and her
chronic conditions have been very wrong."
"This is a real victory for children and a great day for
science," said pediatrician Dr. Paul Offit, chief of Infectious
Diseases and the director of the Vaccine Education Center at the
Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. "I hope that this decision
will finally put parents' fears to rest and that we can once
again concentrate on protecting children from the resurgence of
deadly vaccine-preventable diseases such as measles and whooping
cough."
"What is most important about these decisions is that the three
cases were decided based on the overwhelming body of science,"
said Randolph Moss, partner and co-chair of the Government and
Regulatory Litigation Practice Group at WilmerHale. "The Special
Masters looked at the scientific evidence and credited the
opinions of the scientific experts."
"It is a great relief to public health advocates to see that the
Special Masters have based their judgment on the expert opinions
of the scientific community," said Amy Pisani, MS, executive
director of Every Child By Two. "We are hopeful that parents
will have confidence in their decision to protect children
against deadly diseases by vaccinating them on time."
This is the first of two decisions to be issued in what the U.S.
Court of Federal Claims has dubbed the Omnibus Autism
Proceeding. The second ruling will decide whether thimerosal-containing vaccines alone can cause autism. These judgments will
decide over 5,000 claims that autism is caused by vaccines
pending in this court.
To access the three rulings, go to:
http://www.uscfc.uscourts.gov/node/5026
To access the ECBT press release, go to:
http://www.vaccinateyourbaby.org/news/releases/2009/021209_press_release.cfmTo access the February issue of Immunization Works, go to:
http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/news/newsltrs/imwrks Click on the
link titled "FEB" under the banner titled "2009 Newsletters
Available Online."
To access the HHS statement, go to:
http://www.hhs.gov/news/press/2009pres/02/20090212a.html
To access the AAP statement, go to:
http://www.aap.org/featured/vaccinecourt.htm
To access the AMA statement, go to:
http://www.ama-assn.org/ama/no-index/news-events/vaccines-autism.shtml
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3. |
Lead author "changed and misreported" research data published in the 1998
Lancet article that sparked MMR-autism scare, Sunday Times investigation
indicates
On February 8, Britain's Sunday Times published "MMR
Doctor
Andrew Wakefield Fixed Data on Autism." Written by reporter
Brian Deer, the article is based on a Sunday Times
investigation. Portions of the article are reprinted below.
The doctor who sparked the scare over the safety of the MMR
vaccine for children changed and misreported results in his
research, creating the appearance of a possible link with
autism, a Sunday Times investigation has found.
Confidential medical documents and interviews with witnesses
have established that Andrew Wakefield manipulated patients'
data, which triggered fears that the MMR triple vaccine to
protect against measles, mumps, and rubella was linked to the
condition.
The research was published in February 1998 in an article in the
Lancet medical journal. It claimed that the families of eight
out of 12 children attending a routine clinic at the hospital
had blamed MMR for their autism, and said that problems came on
within days of the jab. The team also claimed to have discovered
a new inflammatory bowel disease underlying the children's
conditions.
However, our investigation, confirmed by evidence presented to
the General Medical Council (GMC), reveals that: In most of the
12 cases, the children's ailments as described in the Lancet
were different from their hospital and GP records. Although the
research paper claimed that problems came on within days of the
jab, in only one case did medical records suggest this was true,
and in many of the cases medical concerns had been raised before
the children were vaccinated. Hospital pathologists, looking for
inflammatory bowel disease, reported in the majority of cases
that the gut was normal. This was then reviewed and the Lancet
paper showed them as abnormal.
Despite involving just a dozen children, the 1998 paper's impact
was extraordinary. After its publication, rates of inoculation
fell from 92% to below 80%. Populations acquire "herd immunity"
from measles when more than 95% of people have been vaccinated.
Last week official figures showed that 1,348 confirmed cases of
measles in England and Wales were reported last year, compared
with 56 in 1998. Two children have died of the disease. . . .
To access the February 8 Sunday Times article, go to:
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/health/article5683671.ece
Three side-bar articles accompanied the February 8 article.
Links to those follow:
To access "Hidden Records Show MMR Truth," go to:
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/health/article5683643.ece
To access "How the MMR Scare Lead to the Return of Measles," go
to:
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/health/article5683687.ece
To access "MMR: Key Dates in the Crisis," go to:
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/health/article5683642.ece
OTHER MATERIAL FROM THE UNITED KINGDOM RELATED TO THE MMR SCARE
The research paper the Lancet published in 1998 was the subject
of controversy in February 2004, when the Lancet's editors
issued a statement indicating that they had recently been made
aware that the paper's authors had not disclosed a possible
conflict of interest. The editors apologized for publishing the
paper. To access the editors' statement, go to:
http://image.thelancet.com/extras/statement20Feb2004web.pdf
In March 2004, 10 of the research paper's 13 authors retracted
the paper's interpretation that a link exists between MMR
vaccine and autism. To access the retraction from the website of
Sunday Times reporter Brian Deer, go to:
http://briandeer.com/mmr/lancet-retraction.pdf
To access other material pertinent to the MMR scare from Brian
Deer's website, go to: http://briandeer.com/mmr-lancet.htm
The General Medical Council (GMC) is the independent regulator
for doctors in the UK. Among its other functions, it registers
doctors to practice medicine. In July 2007, GMC initiated a
still-ongoing public inquiry into the conduct of Andrew
Wakefield.
OTHER PERTINENT RESOURCES
Developed by IAC, "MMR Vaccine Does Not Cause Autism: Examine
the evidence!" presents 25 studies that refute any connection
between autism and MMR. To access it, go to:
http://www.immunize.org/catg.d/p4026.pdf
An article titled "Vaccines and Autism: A Tale of Shifting
Hypotheses" by Drs. Jeffrey Gerber and Paul Offit is currently
available online, courtesy of Clinical Infectious Diseases. To
access this article in PDF format, go to:
http://www.journals.uchicago.edu/doi/pdf/10.1086/596476
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4. |
IAC's Video of the Week features a specialized image analysis of several
phases of cough airflow
IAC encourages IAC Express readers to watch a
40-second video
that shows a person coughing, expelling a turbulent jet of air
that is captured in a specialized image analysis. Several phases
of cough airflow are revealed. The image is made available by
the New England Journal of Medicine.
The video will be available on the home page of IAC's website
through February 22. To access it, go to: http://www.immunize.org and click on the image under the words
Video of the Week, which you'll find toward the top of the page.
It may take a few moments for the video to begin playing; please
be patient!
Remember to bookmark IAC's home page to view a new video every
Monday. While you're at our home page, we encourage you to
browse around--you're sure to find resources and information
that will enhance your practice's immunization delivery.
To view IAC's video collection, go to:
http://www.vaccineinformation.org/video
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5. |
February issue of CDC's Immunization Works electronic newsletter recently
released
CDC recently released the February issue of its
monthly
newsletter Immunization Works; it will soon be posted on the
website of the National Center for Immunization and Respiratory
Diseases (NCIRD). The newsletter offers the immunization
community information about current topics. The information is
in the public domain and can be reproduced and circulated
widely.
The February issue's "Front Page News" article focuses the
Vaccine Court's decision, which is covered in article #2 of this
issue of IAC Express. Other information in the February
Immunization Works has already appeared in previous issues of
IAC Express. Following is the text of some articles we have not
covered.
NCIRD NEWS
INTERIM LEADERSHIP CHANGES WITHIN NCIRD: CDC's National Center
for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases (NCIRD) has recently
experienced some interim leadership changes. Dr. Anne Schuchat--who has served as NCIRD's Director since 2006--will now serve as
CDC's Interim Deputy for Science and Program. To advise partners
of the changes, Dr. Schuchat has written a letter [a portion of
which follows]: During my detail, Beth Bell, MD, MPH, will serve
as Acting Director and Jane Seward, MBBS, MPH, will serve as
Acting Deputy Director of NCIRD. Melinda Wharton is continuing
her detail as Acting Director of the Immunization Safety Office.
OTHER NEWS & SUMMARIES
GLOBAL HEALTH COMMUNITY COMMITS OVER $630 MILLION TO ERADICATE
POLIO: In a recent push to eradicate polio--a crippling and
sometimes fatal disease that paralyzes children--Rotary
International, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, and the
British and German governments recently committed more than $630
million in new funds. In addition to pledging needed funds,
leaders urged additional donors and leaders of countries where
polio still exists to join them in aggressive push for
eradication. Polio has been completely eliminated in the
Americas, the Western Pacific, and Europe, but the wild polio
virus persists in Afghanistan, India, Nigeria, and Pakistan. It
is in these four countries that the most serious challenges
exist, including vaccine effectiveness (India), low vaccination
coverage rates (Nigeria), and access problems due to conflict
(Afghanistan and Pakistan). Imported cases from these countries
threaten other developing nations.
GET READY FOR NATIONAL INFANT IMMUNIZATION WEEK: National
Immunization Week (NIIW) will be celebrated April 25-May 2,
2009, in conjunction with Vaccination Week in the Americas
(VWA). The theme for NIIW is "Love them. Protect them. Immunize
Them." Visit the NIIW Events web page
(http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/events/niiw) for planning and
evaluation resources, public relations materials, and
communication campaign materials. Add your local activity to the
National Calendar of NIIW Events
(http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/events/niiw/2009/activity-form.htm)
ACIP MEETING: The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices
(ACIP; http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/recs/acip/default.htm) will
hold its next meeting on February 25-26, 2008, at the CDC in
Atlanta, Georgia. This meeting is open to the general public,
but advanced registration is required.
PARENTS WHO QUESTION VACCINES: The American Academy of
Pediatrics (AAP) has a new audiocast training, "Countering
Vaccine Misinformation"
(http://www.prepaudio.org/default.aspx?id=16), to assist
pediatricians and others in responding to parents' concerns
about vaccines. The training is part of a monthly series and is
offered free of charge through April 30, 2009.
INCREASING ADULT VACCINATION RATES: WHAT WORKS: CDC's training
course on adult immunization has been revised to reflect
recently approved recommendations from The Advisory Committee on
Immunization Practices (ACIP). Increasing Adult Vaccination
Rates: What Works
(http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/ed/self-study.htm#whatworks) is a
web-based self-paced course that outlines tips and proven
strategies to strengthen a clinic's adult immunization rates.
Free continuing education credits are available.
Issues of Immunization Works are posted on CDC's Vaccines &
Immunizations website a few days after publication. To access
the February issue, go to:
http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/news/newsltrs/imwrks Click on the
link titled "FEB" under the banner titled "2009 Newsletters
Available Online."
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6. |
CDC's update on 2008-09 influenza season indicates increasing activity
beginning at the end of January
CDC published "Update: Influenza Activity--United
States,
September 29, 2008-January 31, 2009" in the February 13 issue of
MMWR. Portions of the article are reprinted below.
From September 28, 2008, to January 31, 2009, influenza activity
remained low in the United States but began to increase at the
end of January. Thus far during the 2008-09 influenza season,
influenza A viruses have predominated and are antigenically
related to the 2008-09 influenza vaccine strains. Oseltamivir
resistance has been detected in nearly all of the influenza A
(H1N1) viruses tested so far during the 2008-09 season, with
high levels of adamantane resistance among influenza A (H3N2)
viruses. This report summarizes U.S. influenza activity since
the last update and reviews interim recommendations for the use
of influenza antiviral medications. . . .
Outpatient Illness Surveillance
Since September 28, 2008, the weekly percentage of outpatient
visits for influenza-like illness (ILI) reported by
approximately 1,500 U.S. sentinel providers comprising the U.S.
Outpatient ILI Surveillance Network (ILINet), has ranged from
0.9% to 2.3%, which was reported during the most recent
surveillance week. This is below the national baseline of 2.4%
based on a 3-year average of noninfluenza weeks. Four
surveillance regions (East North Central, East South Central,
New England, and West South Central) reported levels at or above
their respective region-specific baselines. The five other
surveillance regions reported percentages below their region-specific baselines.
Pneumonia- and Influenza-Related Mortality
For the week ending January 31, 2009, pneumonia or influenza was
reported as an underlying or contributing cause of death for
7.0% of all deaths reported to the 122 Cities Mortality
Reporting System. This is below the epidemic threshold of 7.9%
for that week. Since September 28, 2008, the weekly percentage
of deaths attributed to pneumonia and influenza ranged from 6.0%
to 7.5%, remaining below the epidemic threshold.
Influenza-Associated Hospitalizations
Hospitalizations associated with laboratory-confirmed influenza
infections are monitored by two population-based surveillance
networks, the Emerging Infections Program (EIP) and the New
Vaccine Surveillance Network (NVSN). No influenza-associated
pediatric hospitalizations have been reported in the NVSN this
season.
From October 31, 2008, to January 31, 2009, preliminary rates of
laboratory-confirmed influenza-associated hospitalization
reported by EIP for children aged 0-4 years and 5-17 years were
0.8 per 10,000 and 0.04 per 10,000, respectively. For adults
aged 18-49 years, 50-64 years, and >=65 years, the rates were
0.07, 0.1, and 0.3 per 10,000, respectively.
Influenza-Related Pediatric Mortality
Three influenza-associated pediatric deaths have been reported
for the 2008-09 season. Two occurred during the week ending
January 10, 2009 (reported from Colorado and Texas), and one
during the week ending January 24, 2009 (reported from New York
City). Two of the children had evidence of coinfection with
Staphylococcus aureus, which was methicillin susceptible in one
child and methicillin resistant in the other. . . .
Editorial Note:
From September 28, 2008, through January 31, 2009, the United
States experienced low levels of influenza activity, but levels
appeared to be increasing at the end of January. Activity is
expected to increase throughout the country over the next few
weeks. In 11 of the past 20 seasons, influenza activity has
peaked during February or March. . . .
Vaccination remains the cornerstone of influenza prevention
efforts. Influenza vaccination can prevent influenza virus
infections from strains that are susceptible or resistant to
antiviral medications. Thus far in the season, all influenza A
(H1N1) viruses found to be oseltamivir resistant are
antigenically similar to the components included in the 2008-09
vaccine. Vaccine is still available, and vaccination efforts
should continue throughout the influenza season (which can
persist as late as April or May) to protect as many persons from
influenza and its complications as possible. . . .
To access a web-text (HTML) version of the complete article, go
to: http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm5805a4.htm
To access a ready-to-print (PDF) version of this issue of MMWR,
go to: http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/PDF/wk/mm5805.pdf
To receive a FREE electronic subscription to MMWR (which
includes new ACIP recommendations), go to:
http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/mmwrsubscribe.html
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7. |
Important: Be sure to give influenza vaccine throughout the influenza
season--through spring 2009
Influenza activity is increasing, and yearly
vaccination is the
first and most important step in protecting against influenza
and its complications. It is important to continue vaccinating
into the spring months. The supply of influenza vaccine is
robust; if you run out of vaccine in your work setting, please
place another order.
For abundant information about influenza vaccination, visit the
following two websites often. They 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. |
American Idol's Brook White will give a concert at the school of the teen whose
video wins an influenza prevention contest
The message of the "I Don't Want to Miss . . ."
campaign is
this: Teens--if you don't want to miss out on parties, sports,
concerts, and other fun, be sure to get protected against
influenza! The campaign's goal is to inform teens that they need to
get vaccinated because they are among the people for whom annual
influenza vaccination is recommended.
As an inducement for teens to get vaccinated and to get the
influenza vaccination message out, singer/songwriter and former
American Idol finalist Brooke White has agreed to appear in
concert at the school of the student whose influenza-prevention
public service announcement (PSA) wins the "I Don't Want to Miss
. . ." contest.
To enter, a teen needs to create a video on SchoolTube.com
explaining in 45-60 seconds what they would miss out on if they
came down with influenza. The deadline for uploading the video
is March 11.
To enter, go to:
http://www2.schooltube.com/Contests/IDontWanttoMiss.aspx and
follow directions.
For information on the "I Don't Want to Miss . . ." campaign, go
to: http://www.idontwanttomiss.com
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9. |
Correction: Error fixed on Korean version of HPV vaccine VIS
The Korean version of the current (2/2/07) VIS
for human
papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine was recently corrected. The error
concerned the dosing schedule, which appears in section 3 on the
first page of the VIS. IAC gratefully acknowledges the New York
City Department of Education and the New York City Department
Health and Mental Hygiene for the translation and the
correction.
To access the corrected Korean version of the VIS for HPV
vaccine, go to: http://www.immunize.org/vis/ko_hpv.pdf
To access the English version of the VIS for HPV vaccine, go to:
http://www.immunize.org/vis/hpv.pdf
For information about the use of VISs, and for VISs in more than
35 languages, visit IAC's VIS web section at
http://www.immunize.org/vis
For general information about VISs from CDC's website go to:
http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/pubs/vis
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10. |
"CDC Features" includes information that encourages vaccination to protect
children against Hib disease
The "CDC Features" web section includes
information for parents
about Hib disease. "Is Your Baby Protected against Hib Disease?"
informs parents about the disease, its seriousness, and the
vaccine that protects against it. This "CDC Feature" is quite
timely as Hib disease has been in the news lately--five cases of
Hib, including one death, were recently reported in Minnesota.
To access "Is Your Baby Protected against Hib Disease? go to:
http://www.cdc.gov/Features/HibDisease
To access an alphabetical index of all "CDC Features," go to:
http://www.cdc.gov/az
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11. |
Project Immunize Virginia plans the tenth Vaccine Update Conference for April
3 in Richmond
Project Immunize Virginia is sponsoring the tenth
Vaccine Update
Conference: Addressing Parents' Concerns. It is planned for
April 3 in Richmond. Dr. William Atkinson, medical
epidemiologist with NCIRD, is among the presenters.
For complete conference details, go to:
http://www.immunizeva.org/vaccine_update_conference
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