CDC's H1N1 Flu web page titled "H1N1 Flu Clinical and Public Health Guidance" has recently been updated with some interim guidance documents. Following are the titles and URLs of documents that have been published or updated since the May 6 IAC Express.

Interim Guidance on Antiviral Recommendations for Patients with Novel Influenza A (H1N1) Virus Infection and Their Close Contacts
http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/recommendations.htm

Interim Guidance for Clinicians on the Prevention and Treatment of Novel Influenza A (H1N1) Influenza Virus Infection in Infants and Young Children
http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/childrentreatment.htm

Pregnant Women and Novel Influenza A (H1N1) Considerations for Clinicians
http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/clinician_pregnant.htm

Update on School (K-12) and Child Care Programs: Interim CDC Guidance in Response to Human Infections with the Novel Influenza A (H1N1) Virus
http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/K12_dismissal.htm

Interim CDC Guidance for Colleges, Universities, and Post-secondary Educational Institutions in Response to Human Infections with Novel Influenza A (H1N1) Virus
http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/guidance/guidelines_colleges.htm

Interim CDC Guidance for Public Gatherings in Response to Human Infections with Novel Influenza A (H1N1) http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/guidance/public_gatherings.htm

Interim Additional Guidance for Infection Control for Care of Patients with Confirmed, Probable, or Suspected Novel Influenza A (H1N1) Virus Infection in Outpatient Hemodialysis Settings
http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/guidance/hemodialysis_centers.htm

CDC has also posted interim guidance on such topics as screening, specimen collection, facemask and respirator use, travel, and emergency personnel. To access the web page, which is constantly evolving, go to: http://www.cdc.gov/H1N1flu/guidance

The home page of CDC's H1N1 Flu web section can be accessed from
http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu

IAC has gathered important information related to H1N1 influenza in a new web section to make it easier to keep up to date with developments. To access this resource, go to:
http://www.immunize.org/h1n1

CDC published " Update: Novel Influenza A (H1N1) Virus Infections--Worldwide, May 6, 2009" in the May 8 issue of MMWR. The first paragraph of the article and the first paragraph of the editorial note follow, excluding references.

To receive a FREE electronic subscription to MMWR (which includes new ACIP recommendations), go to:
http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/mmwrsubscribe.html

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:

• 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.
   
• 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

IAC's Video of the Week is titled "The Importance of Childhood Immunizations" and was created by Cincinnati Children's Hospital. This 5-minute video and Q&A with Robert Frenck Jr., MD, staff physician in the Division of Infectious Diseases, provides evidence-based answers to questions many parents have regarding vaccine safety. Consider sharing this with parents who have questions about vaccines.

The video will be available on the home page of IAC's website through May 17. 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.

All the videos featured as an IAC Video of the Week have recently been archived in a new section of IAC's website. To view any of the videos previously featured, go to:
http://www.immunize.org/votw/apr09.asp

IAC recently had its "Screening Questionnaire for Child and Teen Immunization" re-translated to match the changes made to the English version in April.

To access the Spanish translation of "Screening Questionnaire for Child and Teen Immunization," go to:
http://www.immunize.org/catg.d/p4060-01.pdf

To access the Arabic translation of "Screening Questionnaire for Child and Teen Immunization," go to:
http://www.immunize.org/catg.d/p4060-20.pdf

To access the Chinese translation of "Screening Questionnaire for Child and Teen Immunization," go to:
http://www.immunize.org/catg.d/p4060-08.pdf

To access the French translation of "Screening Questionnaire for Child and Teen Immunization," go to:
http://www.immunize.org/catg.d/p4060-10.pdf

To access the Korean translation of "Screening Questionnaire for Child and Teen Immunization," go to:
http://www.immunize.org/catg.d/p4060-09.pdf

To access the Russian translation of "Screening Questionnaire for Child and Teen Immunization," go to:
http://www.immunize.org/catg.d/p4060-07.pdf

To access the Vietnamese translation of "Screening Questionnaire for Child and Teen Immunization," go to:
http://www.immunize.org/catg.d/p4060-05.pdf

To access the English version of "Screening Questionnaire for Child and Teen Immunization," go to:
http://www.immunize.org/catg.d/p4060.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

The May 8 issue of MMWR includes two articles about H1N1 influenza which had already been released as MMWR Dispatches and covered in the May 1 issue of IAC Express. The titles and links to the MMWR articles follow:

Outbreak of Swine-Origin Influenza A (H1N1) Virus Infection--Mexico, March-April 2009
http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm5817a5.htm (English)
http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm58d0430a2ensp.htm (Spanish)

Swine-Origin Influenza A (H1N1) Virus Infections in a School--New York City, April 2009
http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm5817a6.htm

To access a ready-to-print (PDF) version of this issue of MMWR, go to: http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/PDF/wk/mm5817.pdf

Several articles have recently been published in peer-reviewed journals that may be of interest to IAC Express readers.

Vaccine Refusal

"Vaccine Refusal, Mandatory Immunization, and the Risks of Vaccine-Preventable Diseases"
Authors: Omer SB, Salmon, DA, Orenstein WA, deHart MP, Halsey N
Source: N Engl J Med, May 7, 2009
http://content.nejm.org/cgi/content/full/360/19/1981

Hepatitis B

"Hepatitis B Vaccination Coverage in Newborns and Vaccine Supply Policy"
Authors: Jacques-Carroll L, Wang S, Zhao Z, Malik T, David F
Source: Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med, 2009, Vol. 163(5):489-490
http://archpedi.ama-assn.org/cgi/content/short/163/5/489

H1N1 Influenza

"Implications of the Emergence of a Novel H1 Influenza Virus"
Author: Belshe RB
Source: N Engl J Med, May 7, 2009
http://content.nejm.org/cgi/content/full/NEJMe0903995

"Emergence of a Novel Swine-Origin Influenza A (H1N1) Virus in Humans"
Authors: Novel Swine-Origin Influenza A (H1N1) Virus
Investigation Team
Source: N Engl J Med, May 7, 2009
http://content.nejm.org/cgi/content/full/NEJMoa0903810

"Triple-Reassortant Swine Influenza A (H1) in Humans in the United States, 2005–2009"
Authors: Shinde V, Bridges CB, Uyeki TM, et al.
Source: N Engl J Med, May 7, 2009
http://content.nejm.org/cgi/content/full/NEJMoa0903812

"The Signature Features of Influenza Pandemics--Implications for Policy"
Authors: Miller MA, Viboud C, Balinska M, Simonsen L
Source: N Engl J Med, May 7, 2009
http://content.nejm.org/cgi/content/full/NEJMp0903906

IAC offers links to thousands of immunization-related articles and abstracts at http://www.immunize.org/journalarticles

The current version (dated 4/16/09) of the VIS for pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine (PPSV) is now available on the IAC website in Turkish. IAC gratefully acknowledges Mustafa Kozanoglu, MD, and Murat Serbest, MD, for the translation.

To obtain the VIS for PPSV vaccine in Turkish, go to:
http://www.immunize.org/vis/tu_pne97.pdf

To obtain the VIS for PPSV vaccine in English, go to:
http://www.immunize.org/vis/pneum3.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

Since its 2002 launch date, IAC's izcoalitions.org website (http://www.izcoalitions.org) has posted information from 176 immunization coalitions. The site includes data from coalitions at all levels (local, state, regional, and national) and of all types, vaccine-specific as well as age-specific (childhood, adult, senior).

This online database allows health professionals, immunization advocates, parents, and others to contact specific coalitions to find resources, share ideas, and form strategic partnerships. Searches can be done by coalition name or geographic area.

Be sure your coalition is part of this powerful web-based networking tool by checking for your coalition's listing. If your coalition is not listed, sign up today. If your coalition is already displayed but information about your coalition has changed, be sure to update your listing to help us keep izcoalitions.org current and accurate.

To look for your coalition on the izcoalitions.org website, go to:
http://www.izcoalitions.org

If you have questions or difficulties updating your coalition's information, send an email to Janelle at janelle@immunize.org or call her at (651) 647-9009.

On April 25, Rwanda became the first nation eligible for aid from the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization (GAVI) to offer PCV7 vaccine as part of its national immunization program.

While 35 high- and middle-income countries, including South Africa, currently provide routine childhood immunization against pneumococcal disease, Rwanda is the first low-income country to offer PCV vaccine. Ten other low-income countries have also been granted approval to introduce this vaccine in partnership with GAVI Alliance. Based on Expression of Interest, about 30 countries could receive this approval in the coming three years. By accelerating access to this lifesaving vaccine in low-income countries, millions of lives can be saved.

To read more about the change to Rwanda's immunization program, go to:
http://www.preventpneumo.org/news/pneumofocus/PneumoALERT-April-23-09.cfm

For more information on GAVI and pneumococcal disease and its prevention, please visit http://www.preventpneumo.org

The 9th Annual B Informed Patient Conference will take place June 26-27. The conference will be held at the Delaware Valley College campus in Doylestown, PA, in collaboration with the Hepatitis B Information & Support List and the HBV Adoption Support List.

Both days will include roundtable discussion, educational seminars, breakout sessions, and opportunities to learn to live more successfully with chronic HBV infection. This conference continues to be the only one of its kind, giving patients and families the unique opportunity to connect with one another in a supportive environment.

For more information on the program and registration, go to:
http://www.hepb.org/patients/patient_conference2009.htm