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IAC Express 2009 |
| Issue number 814: August 3, 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. |
- ACIP
makes recommendations for use of novel influenza A (H1N1) vaccine
- Study
indicates pregnant women have higher rates of hospitalization and death
from infection with H1N1 influenza virus; prompt antiviral treatment urged
- CDC's
2009 recommendations for prevention and control of seasonal influenza now
published as an MMWR Recommendations and Reports
- AAP
issues early release of a policy statement on recommendations for
prevention and control of seasonal influenza in children
- IAC's
Videos of the Week promote immunization across the lifespan during
National Immunization Awareness Month
- Order
IAC's laminated U.S. immunization schedules today!
- New: 2010
edition of the Yellow Book--CDC's travel-health guide--now available
online
- CDC's
H1N1 influenza web section updated with planning information for
healthcare professionals, Q&As for the public on H1N1 influenza vaccine,
and more
- FDA
authorizes emergency use of another diagnostic test for H1N1 influenza
-
Tuesday--August 4--is the date for IZTA's teleconference on influenza
communication
- "CDC
Features" tells parents how to protect their family from rabies1
- For
coalitions: August 18 is the date for IZTA's hepatitis B update
- MMWR
publishes a report on a case of laboratory-confirmed vaccinia virus in
Virginia in 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 814: August 3, 2009 |
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1. |
ACIP makes recommendations for
use of novel influenza A (H1N1) vaccine
On July 29, the CDC website posted the novel H1N1
vaccination recommendations made by ACIP. It is reprinted
below in its entirety.
NOVEL H1N1 VACCINATION RECOMMENDATIONS
With the new H1N1 virus continuing to cause illness,
hospitalizations and deaths in the U.S. during the normally
flu-free summer months and some uncertainty about what the
upcoming flu season might bring, CDC's Advisory Committee
on Immunization Practices has taken an important step in
preparations for a voluntary novel H1N1 vaccination effort
to counter a possibly severe upcoming flu season. On July
29, ACIP met to consider who should receive novel H1N1
vaccine when it becomes available.
Novel H1N1 Vaccine
Every flu season has the potential to cause a lot of
illness, doctor's visits, hospitalizations, and deaths.
CDC is concerned that the new H1N1 flu virus could result
in a particularly severe flu season this year. Vaccines are
the best tool we have to prevent influenza. CDC hopes that
people will start to go out and get vaccinated against
seasonal influenza as soon as vaccines become available at
their doctor's offices and in their communities (this may
be as early as August for some). The seasonal flu vaccine
is unlikely to provide protection against novel H1N1
influenza. However a novel H1N1 vaccine is currently in
production and may be ready for the public in the fall. The
novel H1N1 vaccine is not intended to replace the seasonal
flu vaccine--it is intended to be used alongside seasonal
flu vaccine.
CDC's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP),
a panel made up of medical and public health experts, met
July 29, 2009, to make recommendations on who should
receive the new H1N1 vaccine when it becomes available.
While some issues are still unknown, such as how severe the
virus will be during the fall and winter months, the ACIP
considered several factors, including current disease
patterns, populations most at-risk for severe illness based
on current trends in illness, hospitalizations, and deaths,
how much vaccine is expected to be available, and the
timing of vaccine availability.
The groups recommended to receive the novel H1N1 influenza
vaccine include
- PREGNANT WOMEN because they are at higher risk of
complications and can potentially provide protection to
infants who cannot be vaccinated;
- HOUSEHOLD CONTACTS AND CAREGIVERS FOR CHILDREN YOUNGER
THAN 6 MONTHS OF AGE because younger infants are at
higher risk of influenza-related complications and cannot
be vaccinated. Vaccination of those in close contact with
infants less than 6 months old might help protect infants
by "cocooning" them from the virus;
- HEALTHCARE AND EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES PERSONNEL
because infections among healthcare workers have been
reported and this can be a potential source of infection
for vulnerable patients. Also, increased absenteeism in
this population could reduce healthcare system capacity;
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ALL PEOPLE FROM 6 MONTHS THROUGH 24 YEARS OF AGE
- CHILDREN FROM 6 MONTHS THROUGH 18 YEARS OF AGE because
we have seen many cases of novel H1N1 influenza in
children and they are in close contact with each other
in school and day care settings, which increases the
likelihood of disease spread, and
- YOUNG ADULTS 19 THROUGH 24 YEARS OF AGE because we have
seen many cases of novel H1N1 influenza in these
healthy young adults and they often live, work, and
study in close proximity, and they are a frequently
mobile population; and,
- PERSONS AGED 25 THROUGH 64 YEARS who have health
conditions associated with higher risk of medical
complications from influenza.
We do not expect that there will be a shortage of novel
H1N1 vaccine, but flu vaccine availability and demand can
be unpredictable and there is some possibility that
initially, the vaccine will be available in limited
quantities. So, the ACIP also made recommendations
regarding which people within the groups listed above
should be prioritized if the vaccine is initially available
in extremely limited quantities. For more information see
the CDC press release CDC Advisors Make Recommendations for
Use of Vaccine Against Novel H1N1
(http://www.cdc.gov/media/pressrel/2009/r090729b.htm).
Once the demand for vaccine for the prioritized groups has
been met at the local level, programs and providers should
also begin vaccinating everyone from the ages of 25 through
64 years. Current studies indicate that the risk for
infection among persons age 65 or older is less than the
risk for younger age groups. However, once vaccine demand
among younger age groups has been met, programs and
providers should offer vaccination to people 65 or older.
To access the recommendations, go to:
http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/vaccination/acip.htm
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2. |
Study indicates pregnant women
have higher rates of hospitalization and death from infection with H1N1
influenza virus; prompt antiviral treatment urged
On July 29, the British medical journal The
Lancet issued a
press release titled "Pregnant Women with H1N1 Flu Should
Start Antiviral Treatment As Soon As Possible, While Those
Who Are Well Should Be Vaccinated." The press release
concerns an article published in an online issue of The
Lancet. Portions of the press release are reprinted below.
A link to the full text of the article is given at the end
of this IAC Express article, as is a link to CDC's clinical
guidance for treatment and prophylaxis of pregnant women
with suspected or confirmed pandemic H1N1 influenza.
An article published Online First [The Lancet online](http://www.thelancet.com) and in an upcoming edition of
The Lancet shows that pregnant women could be at increased
risk for complications from H1N1 flu. Furthermore, the
study, from the USA, shows that the rate of hospitalisation
for pregnant women is more than four times that of the
general population. Pregnant women with H1N1 flu should
start antiviral treatment as soon as possible, while those
who are well should be vaccinated once a vaccine becomes
available. The article is written by Dr. Denise J.
Jamieson, Division of Reproductive Health, Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA, and
colleagues. . . .
Between April 15 and June 16, 2009, six deaths in pregnant
women were reported to the CDC; all were in women who had
developed pneumonia and subsequent acute respiratory
distress syndrome requiring mechanical ventilation. . . .
[The authors wrote]: "CDC recommendations for pregnant
patients are that antiviral drugs be started as soon as
possible after the onset of influenza symptoms. The benefit
is expected to be greatest if started within 48 [hours] of
onset. . . . However, many pregnant women in our series
were not treated with either of these drugs at the time of
their presentation with influenza-like illness.
Furthermore, none of those who died were treated within 48
[hours] of illness onset." . . . .
To access the complete press release, go to:
http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2009-07/l-pww072909.php
To access the full text of The Lancet article, go to:
http://press.thelancet.com/h1n1pregart.pdf
To access Pregnant Women and Novel Influenza A (H1N1)
Virus: Considerations for Clinicians, go to:
http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/clinician_pregnant.htm
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3. |
CDC's 2009 recommendations for
prevention and control of seasonal influenza now published as an MMWR
Recommendations and Reports
On July 31, CDC published "Prevention and Control
of
Seasonal Influenza with Vaccines: Recommendations of the
Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), 2009"
as an MMWR Recommendations and Reports. Previously, the
recommendations were available only in electronic format as
an MMWR Early Release (published July 24).
To access a ready-to-print (PDF) version of the
recommendations, go to:
http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/pdf/rr/rr5808.pdf
To access a web-text (HTML) version of the recommendations,
go to:
http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/rr5808a1.htm
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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4. |
AAP issues early release of a
policy statement on recommendations for prevention and control of seasonal
influenza in children
On July 16, the American Academy of Pediatrics
(AAP) issued
an online early release of a policy statement made by AAP's
Committee on Infectious Diseases. Titled "Recommendations
for Prevention and Control of Influenza in Children, 2009–2010," the statement updates recommendations for routine
use of trivalent seasonal influenza vaccines and antiviral
medications for the prevention and treatment of influenza
in children.
To access a ready-to-print (PDF) version of the early
release of the policy statement, go to:
http://www.cispimmunize.org/ill/Flu/Influenza%20Recommendations.pdf
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5. |
IAC's Videos of the Week promote
immunization across the lifespan during National Immunization Awareness Month
This week, to mark the August observation of
National
Immunization Awareness Month (NIAM), IAC is providing a mix
of videos as its Video of the Week. They encourage
immunization for different age groups--children, teens, and
adults. This is in keeping with the goal of NIAM, which is
to increase awareness about immunizations across the life
span. "Vaccinate Your Baby: Facts" and "Vaccinate Your
Baby: Protect" are two 30-second public service
announcements (PSAs) that feature actress Amanda Peet; "Vaccines for Teens"
is a video with a run time of 3 minutes; and "Immunization for Adults" is a
30-second PSA.
They will be available on the home page of IAC's website
through August 9. To access them, go to:
http://www.immunize.org and click on the image under the
words Video of the Week. It may take a few moments for the
video or PSA you have selected to begin playing; please be
patient!
Remember to bookmark IAC's home page to view a new video
every Monday. To access an IAC Video of the Week selection
from the past, go to the video archive at
http://www.immunize.org/votw/jul09.asp
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6. |
Order IAC's laminated U.S.
immunization schedules today!
IAC has two laminated immunization schedules for
2009--one
for children/teens ages 0 through 18 years and one for
adults. Based on CDC's 2009 immunization schedules, the
laminated schedules offer two significant advantages over
paper schedules:
(1) They are covered with a tough, washable coating that
lets them stand up to a year's worth of use as guides to
immunization and as teaching tools you can use to give
patients and parents authoritative immunization
information.
(2) Each schedule includes a guide to vaccine
contraindications and precautions, a feature that will help
you make on-the-spot determinations about vaccinating
patients of any age.
IAC's 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".
An image of each schedule is available, as is specific
information about each, and a downloadable order form and
online ordering information.
To access an image of the child/teen schedule and related
information, go to:
http://www.immunize.org/shop/schedule_child.asp
To access an image of the adult schedule and related
information, go to:
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
IAC's offers other products for sale, including educational
videos and personal immunization record cards, at
http://www.immunize.org/shop
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7. |
New: 2010 edition of the Yellow
Book--CDC's travel-health guide--now available online
The 2010 edition of Health Information for
International
Travel (also known as the Yellow Book), is now available
online at
http://wwwn.cdc.gov/travel/content/yellowbook/home-2010.aspx It is published every two years by CDC as a reference forthose who advise international travelers of health risks,as well as others who might find it useful.
The 2010 edition features extensive sections on travel-related vaccine-preventable diseases (VPDs) and routine
VPDs. For the first time, the book includes information on
medical tourism, the growing practice of combining
international travel for medical procedures with leisure
travel. It also offers vaccination and medication
information for disease risks by destination, as well as
helpful hints for healthy travel and information on a wide
range of common travel problems such as motion sickness.
You can also access the Yellow Book from CDC's Travelers'
Health home page at http://www.cdc.gov/travel
The book is available at bookstores. The cost is $29.95.
To order a copy from the publisher, go to:
http://www.us.elsevierhealth.com/product.jsp?isbn=9780702034817
You can also call (800) 545-2522 and ask for ISBN#
978-0-7020-3481-7.
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8. |
CDC's H1N1 influenza web section
updated with planning information for healthcare professionals, Q&As for the
public on H1N1 influenza vaccine, and more
CDC recently posted new or updated information to
various
sub-sections of its H1N1 Flu web section. Following are the
titles and URLs of documents that have been posted since
the July 27 issue of IAC Express:
Planning and Preparing for Novel H1N1 Vaccination [for
healthcare professionals]
http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/vaccination/provider/preparing.htm
Updated: Questions & Answers: Novel H1N1 Influenza Vaccine
[for the public]
http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/vaccination/public/vaccination_qa_pub.htm
Interim Guidance for the Detection of Novel Influenza A
Virus Using Rapid Influenza Diagnostic Tests
http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/guidance/rapid_testing.htm
Managing Calls and Call Centers during a Large-Scale
Influenza Outbreak: Implementation Tool
http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/callcenters.htm
FOR MORE INFORMATION
The home page of CDC's H1N1 Flu web section can be accessed
from http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu
IAC has gathered information related to H1N1 influenza in a
single web section at http://www.immunize.org/h1n1
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9. |
FDA authorizes emergency use of
another diagnostic test for H1N1 influenza
On July 24, FDA issued a press release titled
"FDA
Authorizes Emergency Use of Another Test for 2009 H1N1
Influenza Virus." A portion of the press release is
reprinted below.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration today announced it
has issued an Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) for a
another diagnostic test for the 2009 H1N1 influenza virus,
whose spread has caused the virus to be characterized as a
pandemic by the World Health Organization.
The EUA for the Focus Diagnostics Influenza H1N1 (2009)
Real-Time Reverse Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction
(RT-PCR) diagnostic test is the third diagnostic test
authorized under an EUA by the FDA since the public health
emergency involving the 2009 H1N1 influenza virus was
declared on April 26, 2009.
The EUA allows Focus Diagnostics to distribute the test to
laboratories certified under the Clinical Laboratory
Improvement Amendments (CLIA) to perform high-complexity
tests. This test is not typically utilized in a doctor's
office--it is a complex laboratory test performed in an
environment that has the necessary equipment. These tests
are intended for use in the detection of the 2009 H1N1
influenza virus in patients with symptoms of respiratory
infection. . . .
To access the complete press release, go to:
http://www.fda.gov/NewsEvents/Newsroom/PressAnnouncements/ucm173543.htm
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10. |
Tuesday--August 4--is the date
for IZTA's teleconference on influenza communication
Tuesday, August 4, is the date for the
Immunization
Coalitions Technical Assistance Network (IZTA) conference
call on influenza communication. The presenter is CDC's
Alan Janssen, MSPH.
The call will provide an overview of CDC's influenza
messages and explain how the H1N1 virus will affect this
year's outreach campaign. Mr. Janssen will also discuss
educational materials that are available to assist you in
promoting influenza vaccination in your community.
The August 4 call will be held at 1PM, ET. To register,
send an email to izta@aed.org Include this message: "Sign
me up for the influenza communications update."
IZTA is a program of the Center for Health Communication,
Academy for Educational Development. To access earlier IZTA
programs, go to:
http://www.izta.org/confcall.cfm
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11. |
"CDC Features" tells parents how
to protect their family from rabies
The "CDC Features" web section includes
information for
parents about rabies. "Protect Your Family from Rabies"
cautions families to avoid wild animals, to take steps to
reduce the possibility of family pets contracting rabies,
to be cautious on hikes and other outdoor activities, and
to take action if bitten by an animal.
To access "Protect Your Family from Rabies," go to:
http://www.cdc.gov/Features/RabiesSafeFamily
To access an alphabetical index of all "CDC Features," go
to:
http://www.cdc.gov/az
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12. |
For coalitions: August 18 is the
date for IZTA's hepatitis B update
August 18 is the date for the Immunization
Coalitions
Technical Assistance Network (IZTA) conference call
featuring an update on hepatitis B. The presenter is Kim
Nguyen, program manager, Hepatitis B Coalition of WA
[Washington state]. Ms. Nguyen will discuss what the
coalition has done and what it has learned from its work on
hepatitis B.
The August 18 call will be held at 1PM, ET. To register,
send an email to izta@aed.org Include this message: "Sign
me up for the hepatitis update."
IZTA is a program of the Center for Health Communication,
Academy for Educational Development. To access earlier IZTA
programs, go to:
http://www.izta.org/confcall.cfm
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13. |
MMWR publishes a report on a case
of laboratory-confirmed vaccinia virus in Virginia in 2008
CDC published "Laboratory-Acquired Vaccinia Virus
Infection--Virginia, 2008" in the July 31 issue of MMWR.
The article's opening paragraph is reprinted below.
Vaccinia virus (VACV) is the live viral component of
smallpox vaccine. Inadvertent exposure to VACV can result
in infection, and severe complications can occur in persons
with underlying risk factors (e.g., pregnancy,
immunodeficiencies, or dermatologic conditions). The
Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP)
recommends smallpox vaccination for laboratory workers who
handle nonhighly attenuated VACV strains or other
orthopoxviruses (e.g., monkeypox, cowpox, or variola). On
July 8, 2008, CDC was notified by a Virginia physician of a
suspected case of inadvertent autoinoculation and VACV
infection in an unvaccinated laboratory worker. This report
describes the subsequent investigations conducted by the
Virginia Department of Health and CDC to identify the
source of infection and any cases of contact transmission.
Of the patient's 102 possible contacts, seven had
underlying risk factors for developing serious vaccinia
infection. Investigators found no evidence of contact
transmission and, based on the results of molecular
typing, further concluded that the patient had been
exposed to a VACV strain that had contaminated the seed
stock from the laboratory where the patient worked. This
case underscores the importance of adherence to ACIP
vaccination recommendations for laboratory workers and use
of safety precautions when working with nonhighly
attenuated VACV. . . .
To access a web-text (HTML) version of the complete
article, go to:
http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm5829a1.htm
To access a ready-to-print (PDF) version of this issue of
MMWR, go to:
http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/PDF/wk/mm5829.pdf
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