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IAC Express 2009 |
| Issue number 791: April 20, 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. |
- MMWR
publishes article on FDA's December 2008 approval of
expanded age indication for use of Tdap vaccine
- CDC's "Guide to Vaccine Contraindications and Precautions"
available for downloading
- 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 Video of the Week features former First Lady Rosalynn
Carter's public service announcement about childhood
immunization
- AAP's 2009 Red Book will be available in four formats in
July; order by June 1 to save up to $40
- Reminder: AAP makes its audiocast training course on
countering vaccine misinformation available at no cost
through April 30
- May 13 is the deadline for public comment on the draft report
of NVAC's Vaccine Safety Working Group
- May 8 is the deadline for public comment on proposed
vaccination criteria for U.S. immigration
- CDC reports on U.S. influenza activity from September 28,
2008 to April 4, 2009, and on composition of 2009-10
influenza vaccine
- Celebrity spokespeople Gwyneth Paltrow and Hugh Laurie
announce that November 2 is World Pneumonia Day
- MMWR publishes report on importations of wild poliovirus in
15 African countries in 2008-09
- FDA approves rapid test for detecting avian influenza A
virus in humans
- Conferences on novel vaccines scheduled for August 17-18
and August 18-19 in Providence, RI
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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 791: April 20, 2009 |
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1. |
MMWR publishes article on FDA's December 2008 approval of expanded age
indication for use of Tdap vaccine
CDC published "FDA Approval of Expanded Age
Indication for a
Tetanus Toxoid, Reduced Diphtheria Toxoid and Acellular
Pertussis Vaccine" in the April 17 issue of MMWR. A portion of
the article is reprinted below.
On December 4, 2008, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
approved an expanded age indication for the tetanus toxoid,
reduced diphtheria toxoid and acellular pertussis vaccine (Tdap)
Boostrix (GlaxoSmithKline Biologicals, Rixensart, Belgium).
Boostrix is now licensed for use in persons aged 10-64 years as
a single-dose booster immunization; the vaccine initially was
licensed for persons aged 10-18 years. This announcement
summarizes the indications for use of Boostrix. Complete
recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization
Practices (ACIP) for Tdap vaccines have been described
previously.
On October 23, 2008, ACIP was presented data on the safety and
immunogenicity of Boostrix in adults aged 19-64 years and
notified of the impending expanded age indication for Boostrix.
Guidance for the use of Boostrix is the same as for Adacel
(sanofi pasteur, Toronto, Canada), another Tdap vaccine licensed
for use in adults. . . .
Indications and Guidance for Use
For prevention of tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis,
adolescents and adults are recommended to receive a one-time
booster dose of Tdap. Adolescents aged 11-18 years who have
completed the recommended childhood diphtheria and tetanus
toxoids and pertussis vaccine (DTP)/DTaP vaccination series
should receive a single dose of Tdap instead of tetanus and
diphtheria toxoids (Td) vaccine, preferably at a preventive care
visit at age 11 or 12 years. For adults aged 19-64 years who
previously have not received a dose of Tdap, a single dose of
Tdap should replace a single decennial Td booster dose.
Boostrix is now indicated for use as a single-dose booster
immunization in persons aged 10-64 years. The recommended
interval between 2 doses of Td-containing vaccines in
adolescents and adults is at least 5 years because of concern
over increased reactogenicity; however, data are available
suggesting that intervals as short as approximately 2 years are
safe. An interval <5 years between Td and Tdap may be used if
increased risk for acquiring pertussis (e.g., during outbreaks
or periods of increased pertussis activity in the community, or
among healthcare workers) exists. The safety and effectiveness
of Tdap have not been established in pregnant women, nursing
mothers, and children aged <10 years. Current doses in stock can
be used for persons aged 10-64 years.
To access a web-text (HTML) version of the complete article, go
to: http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm5814a5.htm
To access a ready-to-print (PDF) version of this issue of MMWR,
go to: http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/PDF/wk/mm5814.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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2. |
CDC's "Guide to Vaccine Contraindications and Precautions" available for
downloading
In April, CDC posted "Guide to Vaccine
Contraindications and
Precautions" on the NCIRD website. The 32-page guide summarizes
CDC's recommendations regarding common symptoms and conditions
that do and do not contraindicate administering vaccines
licensed for use in the United States.
It includes these six appendices:
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Appendix A: Summary of Contents of Vaccines Licensed in the
United States
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Appendix B: Latex in Vaccine Packaging
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Appendix C: Reactions after a Previous Dose of Diphtheria-,
Tetanus-, or Pertussis-Containing Vaccine
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Appendix D: Suggested Intervals Between Administration of
Immune Globulin Preparations and Measles- or Varicella-
Containing Vaccine
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Appendix E: Vaccinia (Smallpox) Vaccine (Routine, Non-
Emergency Use)
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Appendix F: Quick Reference--Contraindications and Precautions
to Routine Childhood and Adolescent Vaccinations, by Vaccine
To access the guide, go to:
http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/recs/vac-admin/contraindications.htm
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3. |
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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4. |
IAC's Video of the Week features former First Lady Rosalynn Carter's public
service announcement about childhood immunization
IAC encourages IAC Express readers to take 30
seconds to view an
excellent public service announcement developed by Every Child
By Two (ECBT). The narrator is former First Lady Rosalynn
Carter, a cofounder of ECBT. Note: To view the video, you may
need to install Adobe Flash Player.
The video will be available on the home page of IAC's website
through April 26. 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. |
AAP's 2009 Red Book will be available in four formats in July; order by June
1 to save up to $40
Slated for July publication, The American Academy
of Pediatrics'
"Red Book: 2009 Report of the Committee on Infectious Diseases"
is now available for pre-ordering. The 2009 publication, the
book's 28th edition, offers readers the latest clinically tested
guidelines on the manifestations, etiology, epidemiology,
diagnosis, and treatment of 200 childhood conditions. It was
developed by the AAP Committee on Infectious Diseases, in
conjunction with the CDC, FDA, and other leading institutions,
and with contributions from hundreds of physicians nationwide.
The 2009 Red Book is available in four formats:
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Red Book print (softbound)
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Red Book online
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Red Book Plus (print and online)
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Red Book mobile/PDA
Order any of the formats by June 1 and receive a $5 discount on
each. To order, go to: http://www.aap.org/bookstore and click on
"Red Book/Infectious Diseases" in the left column under the
heading Professional Resources.
Additional savings are available by ordering certain
combinations of formats:
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Save $40 when you order this combination by June 1: Red Book
Plus and Red Book mobile/PDA (item #MA0505).
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Save $15 when you order this combination by June 1: Red Book
print and Red Book mobile/PDA (item #MA0503).
To order either combination, go to
http://www.aap.org/bookstore
and type the item number in the space in the left column under
the heading Search the AAP Bookstore.
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6. |
Reminder: 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. |
May 13 is the deadline for public comment on the draft report of NVAC's
Vaccine Safety Working Group
The web section of National Vaccine Advisory
Committee (NVAC)
recently posted the following information about the opportunity
for public comment on the draft report of its Vaccine Safety
Working Group:
"The NVAC Vaccine Safety Working Group is seeking public comment
on their draft report on the draft ISO Scientific Agenda. An
opportunity to submit written comments is now available. You
can view the Federal Register notice requesting comments from
the public. In addition to general comments, NVPO is seeking
input on any additional gaps not addressed in the ISO
Scientific Agenda [or] the NVAC Vaccine Safety Working Group
draft report . . . ."
To access the NVAC Vaccine Safety Working Group Draft Report (4/14/09),
click here.
For additional information on public input into the ISO
Scientific Agenda, go to:
http://www.hhs.gov/nvpo/nvac/PublicEngagement.html
The deadline for written public comment is May 13. The notice in
the Federal Register contains information on submitting comment
electronically and by mail. To access the notice, go to:
http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/E9-8399.htm
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8. |
May
8 is the deadline for public comment on proposed vaccination criteria for U.S.
immigration
On April 8, HHS and CDC posted a Federal Register
notice on
proposed vaccination criteria for U.S. immigration. The deadline
for public comment is May 8.
For a fact sheet that outlines the current and proposed
vaccination requirements for U.S. immigration, go to:
http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dq/pdf/vaccine-criteria-fact-sheet.pdf
To access a web page of background information titled "Notice of
Proposed Vaccination Criteria for U.S. Immigration," go to:
http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dq/refugee
The notice in the Federal Register contains background
information on the topic, as well as information on submitting
comment electronically and by mail. To access the notice, go to:
http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/E9-7934.htm
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9. |
CDC
reports on U.S. influenza activity from September 28, 2008 to April 4, 2009, and
on composition of 2009-10 influenza vaccine
CDC published "Update: Influenza Activity--United
States,
September 28, 2008-April 4, 2009, and Composition of the 2009-10
Influenza Vaccine" in the April 17 issue of MMWR. Portions of
the article are reprinted below.
This report summarizes U.S. influenza activity from September
28, 2008, the start of the 2008-09 influenza season, through
April 4, 2009, and reports on the 2009-10 influenza vaccine
strain selection. Low levels of influenza activity were reported
from October through early January. Activity increased from mid-January and peaked in mid-February. Influenza A (H1N1) viruses
have predominated overall this season, but influenza B viruses
have been isolated more frequently than influenza A viruses
since mid-March. Widespread oseltamivir resistance was detected
among circulating influenza A (H1N1) viruses and a high level of
adamantane resistance was identified among influenza A (H3N2)
viruses. . . .
Composition of the 2009-10 Influenza Vaccine
WHO recommended that the 2009-10 Northern Hemisphere trivalent
influenza vaccine contain A/Brisbane/59/2007-like (H1N1),
A/Brisbane/10/2007-like (H3N2), and B/Brisbane/60/2008-like
(B/Victoria lineage) viruses. The Food and Drug Administration's
Vaccines and Related Biological Products Advisory Committee
recommended these same vaccine strains be included in the 2009-10 influenza vaccine for the United States. Only the influenza B
component represents a change from the 2008-09 vaccine
formulation. These recommendations were based on antigenic and
genetic analyses of recently isolated influenza viruses,
epidemiologic data, post-vaccination serologic studies in
humans, and the availability of candidate vaccine strains and
reagents. . . .
Pneumonia- and Influenza-Related Mortality
For the week ending April 4, 2009, pneumonia and influenza was
reported as an underlying or contributing cause of death for
7.4% of all deaths reported through the 122 Cities Mortality
Reporting System. This is below the epidemic threshold of 7.8%
for that week. Since September 28, 2008, the weekly percentage
of deaths attributed to pneumonia and influenza ranged from 6.1%
to 7.6%, and remained below the epidemic threshold. . . .
Influenza-Associated Pediatric Mortality
Since September 28, 2008, CDC has received 45 reports of
influenza-associated pediatric deaths that occurred during the
current season. Of the 27 decedents who had specimens collected
for bacterial culture from normally sterile sites, 12 (44.4%)
were positive; Staphylococcus aureus was identified in eight of
the 12 children. Three of the S. aureus isolates were sensitive
to methicillin, and five were methicillin resistant. Among the
12 children with bacterial coinfections, all were aged >=5
years, and 10 (83.3%) were aged >=12 years. An increase in the
number of influenza-associated pediatric deaths with S. aureus
coinfections was first recognized during the 2006-07 influenza
season.
Of the 36 decedents aged >6 months for whom patient vaccination
status was known, five (13.9%) had been vaccinated against
influenza according to 2008 Advisory Committee on Immunization
Practices recommendations. These data are provisional and
subject to change as more information becomes available. . . .
Vaccination remains the best method for preventing influenza
virus infection and its complications. Influenza vaccination can
prevent influenza infections from strains that are sensitive or
resistant to antiviral medications. Thus far this season, all
the influenza A viruses that have been characterized, including
oseltamivir-resistant (H1N1) viruses, are antigenically related
to the components in the vaccine. However, approximately 80% of
influenza B viruses tested are from a distinct lineage that is
not related to the vaccine strain. Limited or no protection is
expected when the vaccine and circulating virus strains are from
different lineages. The composition of the 2009-10 influenza
vaccine includes the same influenza A (H1N1 and H3N2)
components, and a change in the influenza B component from the
Yamagata to the Victoria lineage. . . .
To access a web-text (HTML) version of the complete article, go
to: http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm5814a4.htm
To access a ready-to-print (PDF) version of this issue of MMWR,
go to: http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/PDF/wk/mm5814.pdf
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10. |
Celebrity spokespeople Gwyneth Paltrow and Hugh Laurie announce that November
2 is World Pneumonia Day
On April 7, the GAVI Alliance posted the
following press release
on its website: "Child Health Leaders Call for Day to Unite
against Pneumonia, World's Top Child Killer: Pneumonia is
world's most neglected disease, kills more than 2 million
children annually." Portions of the press release are reprinted
below. IAC Express editor's note: Information on World Pneumonia
Day is given at the end of this IAC Express article.
Child health groups united with Save the Children Artist
Ambassadors Gwyneth Paltrow and Hugh Laurie today to establish
an annual World Pneumonia Day on November 2, 2009.
The day will mobilize efforts to fight a neglected disease that
kills more than two million children under the age of five each
year worldwide. . . .
Preventing pneumonia is critical to reducing deaths. Research
shows that a package of health measures provided globally,
especially to the poorest communities, could dramatically cut
childhood deaths from pneumonia.
Vaccines against two of pneumonia's common bacterial causes, Hib
(Haemophilus influenzae type B) and pneumococcus, have prevented
many deaths in industrialized countries. The GAVI Alliance, an
international partnership devoted to improving child health, has
helped low-income countries introduce Hib and pneumococcal
vaccines within their public vaccination programs.
Other proven, low-cost techniques include exclusive breast
feeding for six months, ensuring good nutrition, reducing indoor
air pollution, using antibiotics, washing hands, and preventing
mother-to-child transmission of HIV. . . .
To access the complete press release,
click here.
Information on World Pneumonia Day
Goals of World Pneumonia Day are to increase awareness of
pneumonia's death toll and encourage policy-makers and grass
roots organizers to combat the disease with vaccines, early
diagnosis, and use of antibiotics. These are the organizations
spearheading the effort: GAVI Alliance, Save the Children,
PneumoADIP at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public
Health, and Hedge Funds vs. Malaria & Pneumonia.
For additional information, go to:
http://www.worldpneumoniaday.org
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11. |
MMWR publishes report on importations of wild poliovirus in 15 African
countries in 2008-09
CDC published "Wild Poliovirus Type 1 and 3
Importations--15
Countries, Africa, 2008-09" in the April 17 issue of MMWR. A
summary made available to the press is reprinted below in its
entirety.
Until the challenges in countries with ongoing wild poliovirus
transmission have been fully addressed, the risk of wild
poliovirus (WPV) importations will continue. Although countries
that border countries with ongoing WPV transmission are at
higher risk, all polio-free countries need to maintain sensitive
surveillance systems and prepare for rapid response campaigns.
From 2007 to 2008, cases of polio in Africa increased 144
percent, from 387 in 2007 to 946 in 2008, primarily because of a
resurgence of cases in Nigeria as well as an increase in Angola,
Chad, and Sudan and the introduction of WPV from these countries
into neighboring countries. These importations of WPV have
resulted in 96 polio cases in 15 countries in West Central
Africa, the Horn of Africa, and South Central Africa in 2008-2009 as of March 24. The majority of these cases were caused by
importations of WPV originating in Nigeria; the remaining
importations were from WPV originating in India, and were
introduced either directly or after persistent transmission in
another country. The four African countries from which multiple
importations have spread--Angola, Chad, Nigeria, Sudan--have
serious weaknesses in health infrastructure and require specific
efforts to strengthen their fight again WPV circulation. Until
polio eradication is reached, other countries need to have
sensitive surveillance and plans to rapidly respond if imported
WPV is found.
To access a web-text (HTML) version of the complete article, go
to: http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm5814a1.htm
To access a ready-to-print (PDF) version of this issue of MMWR,
go to: http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/PDF/wk/mm5814.pdf
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12. |
FDA approves rapid test for detecting avian influenza A virus in humans
On April 7, FDA issued a press release titled
"FDA Clears Rapid
Test for Avian Influenza A Virus in Humans." Portions of the
press release are reprinted below.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration today cleared for
marketing a new, more rapid test for the detection of influenza
A/H5N1, a disease-causing subtype of the avian influenza A virus
that can infect humans.
The test, called AVantage A/H5N1 Flu Test, detects influenza
A/H5N1 in throat or nose swabs collected from patients who have
flu-like symptoms. The test identifies in less than 40 minutes a
specific protein (NS1) that indicates the presence of the
influenza A/H5N1 virus subtype. Previous tests cleared by the
FDA to detect this influenza A virus subtype can take three or
four hours to produce results. . . .
AVantage A/H5N1 Flu Test is manufactured by Arbor Vita
Corporation, located in Sunnyvale, Calif.
To access the press release, go to:
http://www.fda.gov/bbs/topics/NEWS/2009/NEW01987.html
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13. |
Conferences on novel vaccines scheduled for August 17-18 and August 18-19 in
Providence, RI
Two conferences on novel vaccines will be held in
August in
Providence, RI. Novel Vaccines: Design & Development is planned
for August 17-18 and Novel Vaccines: Adjuvants & Delivery
Systems for August 18-19.
To access the Novel Vaccines: Design & Development website, go
to:
http://www.healthtech.com/vac.aspx
To access the Novel Vaccines: Adjuvants & Delivery Systems
website, go to: http://www.healthtech.com/imt/adj
For a conference brochure,
click here.
For online registration, go to:
https://chidb.com/register/2009/imt/reg.asp
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