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IAC Express 2009 |
| Issue number 788: April 6, 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. |
- FDA
approves new vaccine to prevent Japanese encephalitis
- IAC updates three of its most popular print materials: two
screening questionnaires and a patient-education piece about
adult vaccinations
- IAC's Video of the Week is the PBS documentary "The Polio
Crusade"
- Influenza complications have killed 43 U.S. children during
the current influenza season. It is vital to continue
vaccinating through the spring months
- MMWR article encourages U.S. residents to be vaccinated
against influenza before traveling to the southern hemisphere
- AAP makes its audiocast training course on countering vaccine
misinformation available at no cost through April 30
- IAC's laminated versions of the 2009 child/teen and adult
immunization schedules offer significant advantages over
paper versions. Place your order today and use them
throughout 2009!
- "CDC Features" includes information for parents on rotavirus
vaccine and on detecting autism
- World
Hepatitis Day is May 19
- MMWR publishes report on worldwide progress in interrupting
wild poliovirus transmission during 2008
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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 788: April 6, 2009 |
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1. |
FDA approves new vaccine to prevent Japanese encephalitis
On March 30, FDA issued a press release
announcing that it has
approved a new vaccine to prevent Japanese encephalitis. The
press release is reprinted below in its entirety.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration today approved IXIARO, a
vaccine to prevent Japanese encephalitis (JE) which is caused by
a mosquito-transmitted virus found mainly in Asia. IXIARO will
be the only vaccine for JE available in the United States.
"This vaccine offers protection for individuals who travel to or
live in areas where outbreaks are known to occur," said Karen
Midthun, MD, acting director of the FDA's Center for Biologics
Evaluation and Research.
In Asia, JE affects about 30,000 to 50,000 people each year,
resulting in 10,000 to 15,000 deaths. JE is rarely seen in the
United States, with very few cases reported among civilians and
military traveling from the United States to Asia.
The virus that causes JE affects membranes around the brain, and
mild infections can occur without apparent symptoms other than
fever and headache. In people who develop severe disease, JE
usually starts as a flu-like illness but can worsen, causing
high fever, neck stiffness, brain damage, coma, or even death.
The disease is transmitted via infected mosquitoes; it is not
spread from human to human.
IXIARO is a second-generation JE vaccine, in that it is
manufactured using cell culture technology leading to improved
manufacturing efficiency as well as more reliable control of the
vaccine manufacturing process. This technology utilizes an
established bank of cells that can be drawn from at any time
contributing to the assurance of consistent vaccine quality. It
also enhances the ability to rapidly manufacture a vaccine on a
large scale if needed, without compromise to the vaccine's
safety or effectiveness.
Clinical studies were conducted in more than 800 healthy men and
women in the United States and Europe. Participants received
either IXIARO or JE-VAX, another U.S.-licensed vaccine that is
no longer being manufactured. The studies found that IXIARO
produced sufficient levels of antibodies in the blood to protect
against JE. IXIARO requires two doses instead of JE-VAX's three.
The vaccine was well tolerated and the most commonly reported
adverse events were headache, muscle pain and pain, swelling,
and tenderness at the injection site. Overall, it was more
tolerable and had fewer side effects than the comparator, JE-VAX.
IXIARO is manufactured by Intercell Biomedical, Livingston, U.K.
For more information, visit:
http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvbid/jencephalitis
and http://www.fda.gov/cber/vaccines.htm
To access the complete press release, go to:
http://www.fda.gov/bbs/topics/NEWS/2009/NEW01981.html
To access the package insert for military use of the vaccine, go
to: http://www.fda.gov/cber/label/ixiaromilitaryLB.pdf
To access the package insert for commercial use of the vaccine,
go to: http://www.fda.gov/cber/label/ixiarocommercialLB.pdf
To access the approval letter, go to:
http://www.fda.gov/cber/approvltr/ixiaro03009L.htm
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2. |
IAC updates three of its most popular print materials: two screening
questionnaires and a patient-education piece about adult vaccinations
IAC recently updated two patient screening
questionnaires,
"Screening Questionnaire for Child and Teen Immunization" and
"Screening Questionnaire for Adult Immunization." On both
questionnaires, the word "x-ray" has been replaced by
"radiation" in a question that assesses if administering live
virus vaccines should be postponed for people who have received
radiation or other treatments. Also on both questionnaires,
antiviral drugs have been added to a question that assesses if
administering certain live virus vaccines should be deferred for
people who have received antiviral drugs or other biological
products.
On the adult vaccination piece "Vaccinations for Adults: You're
never too old to get immunized!" cigarette smoking has been
added as an indication for pneumococcal vaccination for people
ages 19 through 64 years. This reflects a change ACIP recently
made to its pneumococcal vaccine recommendation. Other changes
were also made to the piece.
To access the updated "Screening Questionnaire for Child and
Teen Immunization," go to:
http://www.immunize.org/catg.d/p4060.pdf
To access the updated "Screening Questionnaire for Adult
Immunization," go to: http://www.immunize.org/catg.d/p4065.pdf
To access the updated "Vaccinations for Adults: You're never too
old to get immunized!" go to:
http://www.immunize.org/catg.d/p4030.pdf
IAC's Print Materials web section offers healthcare
professionals and the public approximately 250 FREE English-language materials (many also available in translation), which
we encourage website users to print out, copy, and distribute
widely. To access all of IAC's free print materials, go to:
http://www.immunize.org/printmaterials
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3. |
IAC's Video of the Week is the PBS documentary "The Polio Crusade"
IAC encourages IAC Express readers to watch "The
Polio Crusade,"
a 54-minute documentary that aired on PBS. It weaves the
personal accounts of polio survivors with the story of an ardent
crusader who fought on their behalf while scientists raced to
eradicate the dreaded disease. Notes: (1) viewers can pause the
video and move forward and back by putting their cursor into the
middle of the online screen; (2) viewers may need to install
Adobe Flash Player to watch the video.
The video will be available on the home page of IAC's website
through April 13. 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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4. |
Influenza complications have killed 43 U.S. children during the current
influenza season. It is vital to continue vaccinating through the spring
months
In the week of March 22-28, CDC received reports
of eight more
U.S. children killed by complications from influenza; the total
of reported pediatric influenza deaths this influenza season now
stands at 43.
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.
Many resources regarding influenza disease and vaccination are
available to healthcare professionals and the public. Following
is a list of some of them.
To access the National Influenza Vaccine Summit website, go to:
http://www.preventinfluenza.org
To access CDC's Seasonal Flu web section, go to:
http://www.cdc.gov/flu
To access IAC's print piece titled "Don't take chances with your
family's health--make sure you all get vaccinated against
influenza every year!" go to:
http://www.immunize.org/catg.d/p4069.pdf
In March, CDC posted several updated resources on its Seasonal
Flu web section. Here are links to some of them:
Datos importantes sobre la influenza o gripe estacional:
http://www.cdc.gov/flu/espanol/keyfacts.htm
Sintomas de la influenza (gripe):
http://www.cdc.gov/flu/espanol/symptoms.htm
Datos importantes sobre la vacuna contra la influenza o gripe
estacional: http://www.cdc.gov/flu/protect/espanol/keyfacts.htm
Los ninos, la influenza y la vacuna contra la influenza (gripe):
http://www.cdc.gov/flu/espanol
Free flu materials:
http://www.cdc.gov/flu/professionals/flugallery
International influenza surveillance:
http://www.cdc.gov/flu/weekly/intsurv.htm
Seasonal influenza vaccination resources for health
professionals: http://www.cdc.gov/flu/professionals/vaccination
Flu symptoms & severity:
http://www.cdc.gov/flu/about/disease/symptoms.htm
Influenza: The disease: http://www.cdc.gov/flu/about/disease
Preventing seasonal flu:
http://www.cdc.gov/flu/protect/preventing.htm
Key facts about seasonal influenza (flu):
http://www.cdc.gov/flu/keyfacts.htm
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5. |
MMWR article encourages U.S. residents to be vaccinated against influenza
before traveling to the southern hemisphere
CDC published "Use of Northern Hemisphere
Influenza Vaccines by
Travelers to the Southern Hemisphere" in the April 3 issue of
MMWR. A portion of a summary made available to the press is
reprinted below.
Influenza is the most common vaccine-preventable disease among
travelers. Influenza viruses circulate during October-March in
the northern hemisphere, from April-September in the southern
hemisphere, and year round in the tropics. This year, influenza
vaccines used in the northern hemisphere during the 2008-09
season are the same as those recommended for the upcoming 2009
southern hemisphere season. Persons from the northern hemisphere
who are recommended for annual vaccination or who want to avoid
influenza illness should be being vaccinated before travel to
the southern hemisphere or the tropics, or when traveling as
part of a tour group that includes persons from areas where
influenza circulates during April–September (e.g., the southern
hemisphere).
To access a web-text (HTML) version of the complete article, go
to: http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm5812a4.htm
To access a ready-to-print (PDF) version of this issue of MMWR,
go to: http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/PDF/wk/mm5812.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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6. |
AAP makes its audiocast training course on countering vaccine misinformation
available at no cost through April 30
[The following is cross posted from "Got Your
Shots? News," the
Minnesota Department of Health's electronic immunization
newsletter, March 2009.]
"Countering Vaccine Misinformation"--This new audiocast training
program by the American Academy of Pediatrics is part of a
monthly series offered free of charge through April 30, 2009, at
http://www.prepaudio.org/default.aspx?id=16
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7. |
IAC's laminated versions of the 2009 child/teen and adult immunization
schedules offer significant advantages over paper versions. Place your order
today and use them throughout 2009!
IAC's 2009 laminated immunization schedules are a
must for every
immunization setting: from conventional health clinics and
private practices to walk-in shot clinics in workplaces,
pharmacies, schools, and other sites. IAC offers the laminated
schedules for two age groups. The child/teen immunization
schedule is for people ages 0 through 18 years; the adult
schedule is for those older than 18. Though both are adapted
from the immunization schedules that were posted on the CDC
website in January, the laminated schedules offer these
advantages over downloadable paper versions:
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Coated in thick plastic, the laminated schedules are washable
and will hold up to a year's worth of use as teaching tools
that providers in any immunization setting can use to give
patients and parents authoritative information about the
vaccines recommended for various age groups. You can also use
them as a handy reference to consult at a moment's notice.
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For the second year in a row, IAC has added a significant
feature to the two laminated schedules. Each includes a guide
to contraindications and precautions for the pertinent age
group (i.e., the child/teen schedule has a guide to
contraindications and precautions for child/teen vaccines, and
the adult schedule has a guide for adult vaccines). Healthcare
professionals will find these guides extremely valuable in
making an on-the-spot determination about vaccinating any
patient they see in any immunization setting.
The durable laminated schedules 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".
For specific information about the child/teen schedule, to view
images of it, or to order online or download an order form,
visit http://www.immunize.org/shop/schedule_child.asp
For specific information about the adult schedule, to view
images of it, or to order online or download an order form,
visit http://www.immunize.org/shop/schedule_adult.asp
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
To learn about other essential immunization resources available
for purchase from IAC, go to: http://www.immunize.org/shop
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8. |
"CDC
Features" includes information for parents on rotavirus vaccine and on detecting
autism
The "CDC Features" web section recently added two
features of
interest for parents of young children. One, titled "Protect
Your Child Against Rotavirus," presents information on rotavirus
disease and the vaccines that prevent it. The other, titled
"Detect Autism Early. Learn the Signs of Healthy Child
Development," presents basic information on ways to measure a
child's developmental milestones. It also has links to
activities a child should be doing at various intervals between
ages 3 months and 60 months and behavior to be concerned about.
To access the feature on rotavirus, go to:
http://www.cdc.gov/Features/Rotavirus
To access the feature on detecting autism, go to:
http://www.cdc.gov/Features/DetectAutism
To access an alphabetical index of all "CDC Features," go to:
http://www.cdc.gov/az
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9. |
World Hepatitis Day is May 19
Scheduled for May 19, World Hepatitis Day is
intended to
increase global awareness of the prevalence of and seriousness
of viral hepatitis disease.
For information on planning efforts in the U.S., visit the
National Viral Hepatitis Roundtable at
http://www.nvhr.org/WHD-2009.htm
For information on the global campaign, go to:
http://www.worldhepatitisday.org
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10. |
MMWR publishes report on worldwide progress in interrupting wild poliovirus
transmission during 2008
CDC published "Progress Toward Interruption of
Wild Poliovirus--Worldwide, 2008" in the April 3 issue of MMWR. A summary made
available to the press is reprinted below in its entirety.
There have been major challenges to polio eradication in 2008
that require more local political accountability and continued
campaign efforts in insecure areas to be successful. Only four
countries have never interrupted wild poliovirus circulation.
However, the number of polio cases increased by 26 percent in
2008 compared to 2007, and 14 previously polio-free countries
have had polio cases after importation of poliovirus in 2008. Of
the four endemic countries, India came closest to interrupting
transmission, but increased poliovirus circulation occurred in
other countries in 2008. In Afghanistan, the increase is due to
security problems, in Pakistan due to security problems and
management problems even in secure areas, and in Nigeria due to
continued inadequate management and planning of vaccination
campaigns on top of a weak health system. All these issues
prevent appropriate vaccination of young children. Management
improvements in some areas in Pakistan and Nigeria demonstrate
effective interventions that could be scaled-up.
To access a web-text (HTML) version of the complete article, go
to: http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm5812a3.htm
To access a ready-to-print (PDF) version of this issue of MMWR,
go to: http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/PDF/wk/mm5812.pdf
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