|
IAC Express 2009 |
| Issue number 824: September 21, 2009 |
|
|
Please click here to subscribe to IAC Express
as well as other FREE IAC periodicals. |
|
Contents
of this Issue
Select a title to jump to the article. |
- Reminder: September 2009 issue of Needle Tips now
available online
- FDA
licenses four 2009 H1N1 influenza vaccines
- MMWR publishes information on Hiberix and updated Hib
recommendations
- MMWR publishes recommendations on hepatitis A vaccination
for close contacts of certain international adoptees
- VIS translation: Seasonal influenza VISs now available in
Spanish
- CDC updates Pink Book with regard to polio vaccine
scheduling
- MMWR
reports on vaccination coverage of adolescents
- CDC provides updated influenza guidance related to
pregnant women and small businesses
- CMS offers billing guidance for H1N1 influenza
vaccination
- CDC posts three web documents with information related to
H1N1 influenza vaccine safety
- IAC's Video of the Week features Families Fighting Flu
PSA with soccer player Mia Hamm
- IAC's padded screening questionnaires for
contraindications now have English on the front, Spanish
on the back--a popular translation at no added cost!
- Keep
vaccinating against seasonal influenza!
- Important: During H1N1 influenza outbreak, administer
PPSV to all people with existing indications
- MMWR
provides update on U.S. influenza activity
- Childhood Influenza Immunization Coalition redesigns
website
- MMWR
reports on vaccine-derived polioviruses worldwide
- California Department of Public Health announces
influenza PSA contest
|
| |
| Abbreviations |
|
|
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. |
| |
|
Issue 824: September 21, 2009 |
|
|
|
1. |
Reminder: September 2009 issue of Needle Tips now available online
The September 2009 issue of Needle Tips is now
available for
viewing, downloading, and printing online at
http://www.immunize.org/nt
This is the second issue of Needle Tips that is online-only.
Postal mail copies are no longer available. You may obtain a
hard copy of the September issue by printing out the 24-page
PDF available at http://www.immunize.org/nslt.d/n41/n41.pdf
Needle Tips is IAC's semiannual periodical for healthcare
professionals, packed with practical, easy-to-read, CDC-reviewed educational material covering childhood,
adolescent, and adult immunization.
Complete information about this issue of Needle Tips is
available at http://www.immunize.org/nt
There you will find a link for displaying and printing the
entire 24-page PDF of this issue, along with a Table of
Contents for viewing and printing individual sections of
Needle Tips.
If you would like to download the entire issue of Needle
Tips right now, go to:
http://www.immunize.org/nslt.d/n41/n41.pdf
Back to top |
| |
|
|
2. |
FDA licenses four 2009 H1N1 influenza vaccines
On September 15, FDA announced that it had
approved four
vaccines against the 2009 H1N1 influenza virus. The related
FDA press release is reprinted below in its entirety.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced today that
it has approved four vaccines against the 2009 H1N1
influenza virus. The vaccines will be distributed nationally
after the initial lots become available, which is expected
within the next four weeks.
"Today's approval is good news for our nation's response to
the 2009 H1N1 influenza virus," said Commissioner of Food
and Drugs Margaret A. Hamburg, MD. "This vaccine will help
protect individuals from serious illness and death from
influenza."
The vaccines are made by CSL Limited, MedImmune LLC,
Novartis Vaccines and Diagnostics Limited, and sanofi
pasteur Inc. All four firms manufacture the H1N1 vaccines
using the same processes, which have a long record of
producing safe seasonal influenza vaccines.
"The H1N1 vaccines approved today undergo the same rigorous
FDA manufacturing oversight, product quality testing, and
lot release procedures that apply to seasonal influenza
vaccines," said Jesse Goodman, MD, FDA acting chief
scientist.
Based on preliminary data from adults participating in
multiple clinical studies, the 2009 H1N1 vaccines induce a
robust immune response in most healthy adults eight to 10
days after a single dose, as occurs with the seasonal
influenza vaccine.
Clinical studies under way will provide additional
information about the optimal dose in children. The
recommendations for dosing will be updated if indicated by
findings from those studies. The findings are expected in
the near future.
As with the seasonal influenza vaccines, the 2009 H1N1
vaccines are being produced in formulations that contain
thimerosal, a mercury-containing preservative, and in
formulations that do not contain thimerosal.
People with severe or life-threatening allergies to chicken
eggs, or to any other substance in the vaccine, should not
be vaccinated.
In the ongoing clinical studies, the vaccines have been well
tolerated. Potential side effects of the H1N1 vaccines are
expected to be similar to those of seasonal flu vaccines.
For the injected vaccine, the most common side effect is
soreness at the injection site. Other side effects may
include mild fever, body aches, and fatigue for a few days
after the inoculation. For the nasal spray vaccine, the most
common side effects include runny nose or nasal congestion
for all ages, sore throats in adults, and--in children 2 to
6 years old--fever.
As with any medical product, unexpected or rare serious
adverse events may occur. The FDA is working closely with
governmental and nongovernmental organizations to enhance
the capacity for adverse event monitoring, information
sharing, and analysis during and after the 2009 H1N1
vaccination program. In the U.S. Department of Health and
Human Services, these agencies include the Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention.
Vaccines against three seasonal virus strains are already
available and should be used (see information on the
seasonal flu:
http://pandemicflu.gov/individualfamily/about/seasonalflu).
However, they do not protect against the 2009 H1N1 virus
(see information on H1N1 flu: http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu).
To read the press release online, go to:
http://www.fda.gov/NewsEvents/Newsroom/PressAnnouncements/ucm182399.htm
For FDA licensing information about these four new vaccines,
including links to approval letters and package inserts, go
to:
http://www.fda.gov/BiologicsBloodVaccines/Vaccines/ApprovedProducts/ucm181950.htm
To access the four package inserts on IAC's website, go to:
http://www.immunize.org/packageinserts/pi_h1n1.asp
Back to top |
| |
|
|
3. |
MMWR publishes information on Hiberix and updated Hib recommendations
CDC published "Licensure of a Haemophilus
influenzae Type b
(Hib) Vaccine (Hiberix) and Updated Recommendations for Use
of Hib Vaccine" in the September 18 issue of MMWR. Several
paragraphs from the article are reprinted below.
On August 19, 2009, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
licensed Hiberix (GlaxoSmithKline Biologicals, Rixensart,
Belgium), a Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) conjugate
vaccine composed of H. influenzae type b capsular
polysaccharide (polyribosyl-ribitol-phosphate [PRP])
conjugated to inactivated tetanus toxoid (PRP-T). Hiberix is
licensed for use as the booster (final) dose of the Hib
vaccine series for children aged 15 months through 4 years
(before the 5th birthday) who have received previously the
primary series of Hib vaccination (consisting of 2 or 3
doses, depending on the formulation). The Advisory Committee
on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommends Hib booster
vaccination for children at ages 12 through 15 months;
however, because of the recent shortage of Hib vaccines,
many children have deferred the booster dose and therefore
require catch-up vaccination. This report summarizes the
indications for Hiberix use and provides guidance on Hib
booster dose administration based on increasing vaccine
supplies. Vaccination recommendations in this report update
the previous advisory on Hib booster administration (June
26, 2009), which advised that children with deferred booster
doses receive it at the next regularly scheduled visit.
Vaccination providers are now recommended to begin recall of
children in need of the booster dose when feasible and
monovalent Hib vaccine supply in the office is adequate. . . .
Indications and Guidance for Use
Hiberix is licensed for use as the booster (final) dose for
Hib vaccination for children aged 15 months through 4 years
(before the 5th birthday) who have received a primary Hib
vaccination series of 2 or 3 doses (depending on the
formulation of the primary series vaccines). ACIP recommends
Hib booster dosing at ages 12 through 15 months. To
facilitate timely booster vaccination, Hiberix and other Hib
conjugate vaccines can be administered as early as age 12
months, in accordance with Hib vaccination schedules for
routine and catch-up immunization. Hiberix is not licensed
for the primary Hib vaccination series; however, if Hiberix
is administered inadvertently during the primary vaccination
series, the dose should be counted as a valid PRP-T dose
that does not need to be repeated if it was administered
according to schedule. In these children, a total of 3 doses
will complete the routine primary series.
Children aged 12 months through 4 years (before the fifth
birthday) who did not receive a booster because of the
recent shortage of Hib vaccines should receive a booster
with any of the available Hib-containing vaccines at the
earliest opportunity. With licensure of Hiberix and
anticipated distribution, the increased supply of Hib-containing vaccines will be sufficient to support a
provider-initiated notification process to contact all
children whose Hib booster dose had been deferred. When
feasible and when vaccine supply in the office is
sufficient, vaccination providers should review electronic
or paper medical records or immunization information system
(e.g., registry) records to identify and recall children in
need of a booster dose. If supplies are not adequate,
providers should continue to follow previous recommendations
to provide the booster dose at the child's next regularly
scheduled visit.
Information Regarding Supply of Hiberix, ActHib, and
Pentacel
At this time, production of Merck Hib vaccine products
remains suspended; however, supplies of sanofi pasteur
vaccines ActHIB (monovalent Hib vaccine) and Pentacel (DTaP-IPV/Hib) are available for use for the primary Hib
vaccination series and booster in infants and children.
Vaccination providers with questions about supplies of
Hiberix monovalent Hib vaccine purchased with nonpublic
funds should contact GlaxoSmithKline Biologicals' customer
service department (telephone, [866] 475-8222). Providers
with questions about supplies of ActHIB or Pentacel
purchased with nonpublic funds should contact sanofi
pasteur's customer service department (telephone, [800] 822-2463). For public vaccine supplies, including Vaccines for
Children Program vaccine, providers should contact their
state/local immunization program to obtain vaccine.
Providers ordering Hiberix through the Vaccines for Children
Program may place orders in early October.
This recommendation reflects CDC's assessment of the
existing national Hib vaccine supply and will be updated if
the supply changes. Updated information about the national
Hib vaccine supply is available at
http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/vac-gen/shortages/default.htm
Details about the routine Hib vaccination schedule are
available at
http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/recs/schedules/default.htm#child
Adverse events after receipt of any vaccine should be
reported to the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System at
http://vaers.hhs.gov
To access the full article in web-text (HTML) format, go to:
http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm5836a5.htm
To access a ready-to-print (PDF) version of this issue of
MMWR, go to:
http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/PDF/wk/mm5836.pdf
To receive a FREE electronic subscription to MMWR (which
includes new ACIP recommendations), go to:
http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/mmwrsubscribe.html
Back to top |
| |
|
|
4. |
MMWR publishes recommendations on hepatitis A vaccination for close contacts
of certain international adoptees
CDC published "Updated Recommendations from the
Advisory
Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) for Use of
Hepatitis A Vaccine in Close Contacts of Newly Arriving
International Adoptees" in the September 18 issue of MMWR.
The first and last paragraphs of the article are reprinted
below.
On February 25, 2009, the Advisory Committee on Immunization
Practices (ACIP) recommended routine hepatitis A vaccination
for household members and other close personal contacts
(e.g., regular babysitters) of adopted children newly
arriving from countries with high or intermediate hepatitis
A endemicity. This new recommendation complements previous
ACIP recommendations for hepatitis A vaccination for persons
traveling from the United States to countries with high or
intermediate hepatitis A endemicity (including persons with
travel related to international adoption), and postexposure
prophylaxis for contacts of persons with hepatitis A. This
report introduces the new recommendation and outlines the
underlying epidemiologic and programmatic rationale. . . .
Updated Recommendation
Based on this evidence, on February 25, ACIP updated its
guidance by recommending hepatitis A vaccination for all
previously unvaccinated persons who anticipate close
personal contact (e.g., household contact or regular
babysitting) with an international adoptee from a country of
high or intermediate endemicity during the first 60 days
following arrival of the adoptee in the United States. The
first dose of the 2-dose hepatitis A vaccine series should
be administered as soon as adoption is planned, ideally 2 or
more weeks before the arrival of the adoptee.
To access the full article in web-text (HTML) format, go to:
http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm5836a4.htm
To access a ready-to-print (PDF) version of this issue of
MMWR, go to:
http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/PDF/wk/mm5836.pdf
Back to top |
| |
|
|
5. |
VIS translation: Seasonal influenza VISs now available in Spanish
The 2009-10 VISs for seasonal trivalent
inactivated
influenza vaccine (TIV; injectable) and live attenuated
influenza vaccine (LAIV; nasal spray) are now available in
Spanish. IAC gratefully acknowledges the California
Department of Public Health, Immunization Branch, for the
translations.
More translations of the seasonal influenza VISs will be
coming soon. IAC relies on other organizations to provide
translations of VISs; though we cannot guarantee any
delivery date, we post all translations on our website as
soon as they become available.
For the Spanish-language version of the VIS for seasonal TIV, go to:
http://www.immunize.org/vis/spflu06.pdf
For the English-language version of the VIS for seasonal
TIV, go to:
http://www.immunize.org/vis/2flu.pdf
For the Spanish-language version of the VIS for seasonal
LAIV, go to:
http://www.immunize.org/vis/spliveflu06.pdf
For the English-language version of the VIS for seasonal
LAIV, go to:
http://www.immunize.org/vis/liveflu.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
Back to top |
| |
|
|
6. |
CDC updates Pink Book with regard to polio vaccine scheduling
On September 15, CDC updated information for the
poliomyelitis chapter and the "Recommended Minimum Ages and
Intervals" table in Appendix A of its Pink Book (formally
titled "Epidemiology and Prevention of Vaccine-Preventable
Diseases"). The new information is reprinted below.
UPDATE
Poliomyelitis Chapter
The Polio chapter states, on page 238, that "the minimum
interval between all doses of IPV is 4 weeks, and the
minimum age for the fourth dose is 18 weeks" and that "If
all four IPV doses are administered after 6 weeks of age and
are all separated by at least 4 weeks, a fifth dose is not
needed, even if the fourth dose was administered before 4
years of age. . . ."
These statements are superseded by updated ACIP
recommendations (MMWR, Vol. 58, No. 30, August 7, 2009),
stating that the final dose in the IPV series should be
administered at 4 years of age or older, regardless of the
number of previous doses, and that the minimum interval
between dose 3 and dose 4 has been extended from 4 weeks to
6 months.
The third slide on page 237 should also reflect these
changes. The "4-6 years" minimum interval should be 6 months
(not 4 weeks), and the footnote "the fourth dose of IPV may
be given as early as 18 weeks of age" should say instead
"the final dose of IPV should be given on or after the 4th
birthday."
UPDATE
Appendix A
The "Recommended Minimum Ages and Intervals" table (page A8)
should reflect updated recommendations for IPV (see above).
The "Minimum age for this dose" for IPV-4 should be 4 years
(not 18 weeks) and the "Minimum interval to next dose" for
IPV-3 should be 6 months, not 4 weeks. These changes have
been made on the online version of this table.
To access all errata, updates, and clarifications for the
11th edition of the Pink Book, go to:
http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/pubs/pinkbook/pink-errata.htm
To access the Pink Book itself, go to:
http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/pubs/pinkbook/pink-chapters.htm
Back to top |
| |
|
|
7. |
MMWR reports on vaccination coverage of adolescents
CDC published "National, State, and Local Area
Vaccination
Coverage Among Adolescents Aged 13-17 Years--United States,
2008" in the September 18 issue of MMWR. A summary made
available to the press is reprinted below in its entirety.
This is the third annual report of national adolescent
vaccination coverage estimates based on provider-reported
vaccination histories from the NIS-Teen and the first report
of state and local area estimates. For the first time,
Healthy People 2010 objectives of 90% coverage among
adolescents 13-15 years of age were met for childhood
administered vaccines (measles-mumps-rubella and hepatitis
B). Coverage levels for vaccines routinely recommended for
adolescents (tetanus, diphtheria, acellular pertussis,
meningococcal conjugate, and quadrivalent human
papillomavirus vaccines), continue to increase nationally,
though there is substantial variation between state and
local areas. Only three states had vaccination coverage
estimates greater than 50% for all three adolescent
vaccines. There were also some differences in coverage by
race/ethnicity and poverty status. Vaccination coverage
among adolescents is improving; however continued efforts
are needed in order to achieve higher coverage levels in
this population.
To access the full article in web-text (HTML) format, go to:
http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm5836a2.htm
To access a ready-to-print (PDF) version of this issue of
MMWR, go to:
http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/PDF/wk/mm5836.pdf
CDC released a related statement to the press on September
17. To read "Nation's Teen Vaccination Coverage Increasing,
Variability Observed By Area, Race/Ethnicity, and Poverty
Status," go to:
http://www.cdc.gov/media/pressrel/2009/r090917.htm
Back to top |
| |
|
|
8. |
CDC
provides updated influenza guidance related to pregnant women and small
businesses
On September 17, CDC posted new information to
the Guidance
sub-section of its H1N1 Flu web section. "Updated Interim
Recommendations for Obstetric Health Care Providers Related
to Use of Antiviral Medications in the Treatment and
Prevention of Influenza for the 2009-2010 Season" is
available at
http://www.cdc.gov/H1N1flu/pregnancy/antiviral_messages.htm
On September 16, CDC posted a new document to the same
Guidance section titled, "Planning for 2009 H1N1 Influenza:
A Preparedness Guide for Small Business." To access this
resource, go to:
http://www.cdc.gov/H1N1flu/business/guidance/smallbiz.htm
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
Back to top |
| |
|
|
9. |
CMS
offers billing guidance for H1N1 influenza vaccination
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
(CMS) has
released guidance for billing for H1N1 influenza
vaccination.
To access "Medicare Fee-for-Services (MFFS) Billing for the
Administration of the Influenza A (H1N1) Virus Vaccine," go
to:
http://www.cms.hhs.gov/MLNMattersArticles/downloads/se0920.pdf
For CMS information on adult immunization, go to:
http://www.cms.hhs.gov/adultImmunizations
Back to top |
| |
|
|
10. |
CDC posts three web documents with information related to H1N1 influenza
vaccine safety
CDC recently posted three web documents to answer
questions
on issues related to H1N1 influenza vaccine safety.
Healthcare professionals, as well as members of the public,
will likely find these resources useful.
The three new documents are
General Questions and Answers on 2009 H1N1 Influenza A
Vaccine Safety
http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/vaccination/vaccine_safety_qa.htm
General Questions and Answers on Thimerosal
http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/vaccination/thimerosal_qa.htm
General Questions and Answers on Guillain-Barre Syndrome
(GBS)
http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/vaccination/gbs_qa.htm
Links to these resources and many more can be found on CDC's
H1N1 Flu Vaccination Resources web section at
http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/vaccination
Back to top |
| |
|
|
11. |
IAC's Video of the Week features Families Fighting Flu PSA with soccer player
Mia Hamm
IAC encourages IAC Express readers to watch
Families
Fighting Flu's 30-second public service announcement (PSA)
about influenza vaccination featuring soccer legend and
mother, Mia Hamm. The PSA was developed by Families Fighting
Flu in partnership with the American Youth Soccer
Organization to encourage entire families to get vaccinated
against seasonal influenza.
The video will be available on the home page of IAC's
website through September 28. To access it, 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 to begin playing; please be patient!
The video is also available on YouTube at
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Qe-ytQbk2c Share this
message with your family, friends, and patients.
Remember to bookmark IAC's home page to view a new video
every Monday. To view an IAC Video of the Week from the
past, go to the video archive at http://www.immunize.org/votw
To visit Families Fighting Flu website, go to:
http://familiesfightingflu.org
Back to top |
| |
|
|
12. |
IAC's padded screening questionnaires for contraindications now have English
on the front, Spanish on the back--a popular translation at no added cost!
In response to demand, IAC now has a
Spanish-language
translation of the questions on its padded Screening
Questionnaire for Child and Teen Immunization and Screening
Questionnaire for Adult Immunization. Printed on the back of
the English-language form, the Spanish-language form has
been added to this product at no additional cost.
The questionnaires give you and your patients a quick, easy,
and thorough way to determine if they have contraindications
and precautions to vaccination. Patients fill out the
questionnaire with yes-or-no answers while waiting to be
seen, allowing you to review their responses quickly and be
confident you're not missing any contraindications or
precautions.
The questionnaires come in convenient tear-off pads of 100
sheets. The price per pad is economical (discounts for two
pads or more), so you'll be able to keep pads at the
receptionist's desk, the nurse's station, and in every exam
room. Each pad comes with four English- language reference
sheets (printed on heavy-weight paper) for health
professionals.
Prices start at $16 each for one pad and drop to $12 each
for two, $11 each for three, and $10 each for four. For
quotes on larger quantities or customizing, call (651) 647-9009 or email
admininfo@immunize.org
To learn more about the padded screening questionnaires, or
to order online or download an order form, visit the
following:
Screening Questionnaire for Child and Teen Immunization
http://www.immunize.org/shop/pad_sqchild.asp
Screening Questionnaire for Adult Immunization
http://www.immunize.org/shop/pad_sqadult.asp
IAC's offers other products for sale, including educational
videos and personal immunization record cards, at
http://www.immunize.org/shop
Back to top |
| |
|
|
13. |
Keep vaccinating against seasonal influenza!
A number of healthcare professionals are
questioning whether
they should continue to vaccinate against seasonal influenza
once H1N1 influenza vaccine becomes available. The answer is
YES! The 2009 H1N1 influenza vaccine will not protect people
against seasonal influenza, and seasonal influenza vaccine
will not protect against H1N1 influenza.
Unfortunately, some healthcare facilities with good
intentions of providing protection against seasonal
influenza in September are finding it hard to find vaccine
to purchase this month. As reported in last week's issue of
IAC Express
(http://www.immunize.org/express/issue823.asp#n7), seasonal
influenza vaccine may be in temporary short supply this
month, but production is expected to catch up to demand
soon.
To assist providers in finding seasonal influenza vaccine
available for purchase, the National Influenza Vaccine
Summit supports IVATS, the Influenza Vaccine Availability
Tracking System, which provides information about vaccine
manufacturers and distributors with vaccine available for
purchase. To access this information in Excel spreadsheet
format, go to:
http://www.preventinfluenza.org/ivats/ivats_09_10.xls
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 IAC's Seasonal Influenza web section, go to:
http://www.immunize.org/influenza
To access IAC's H1N1 Influenza web section, go to:
http://www.immunize.org/h1n1
To access CDC's Seasonal Flu web section, go to:
http://www.cdc.gov/flu
To access CDC's Novel H1N1 Flu web section, go to:
http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu
To access IAC's print pieces related to influenza, including
screening questionnaires, patient education pieces, and
sample standing orders, go to:
http://www.immunize.org/printmaterials/dis_inf.asp
Back to top |
| |
|
|
14. |
Important: During H1N1 influenza outbreak, administer PPSV to all people with
existing indications
CDC advises healthcare professionals that during
the current
outbreak of novel influenza A (H1N1), all people who have
existing indications for PPSV should be vaccinated according
to current ACIP recommendations. This is important because
people with existing indications are not only at increased
risk for pneumococcal disease, but are also at increased
risk for serious complications from influenza. Use of PPSV
among people without current indications for vaccination is
not recommended at this time.
To access CDC's comprehensive document "Interim guidance for
use of 23-valent pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine during
novel influenza A (H1N1) outbreak," go to:
http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/guidance/ppsv_h1n1.htm
Back to top |
| |
|
|
15. |
MMWR
provides update on U.S. influenza activity
CDC published "Update: Influenza Activity--United
States,
April-August 2009" in the September 18 issue of MMWR. This
report was previously published as an MMWR Early Release on
September 10, and was previously covered in IAC Express on
August 14.
To access the full article in web-text (HTML) format, go to:
http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm5836a6.htm
To access a ready-to-print (PDF) version of this issue of
MMWR, go to:
http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/PDF/wk/mm5836.pdf
Back to top |
| |
|
|
16. |
Childhood Influenza Immunization Coalition redesigns website
The Childhood Influenza Immunization Coalition (CIIC)
has
redesigned its website to make it more user-friendly, with a
streamlined home page that now specifically targets families
and caregivers.
Visit http://www.PreventChildhoodInfluenza.org to check out
the new look. Share this site with parents and consider
linking to CIIC from your organization's website.
Back to top |
| |
|
|
17. |
MMWR reports on vaccine-derived polioviruses worldwide
CDC published "Update on Vaccine-Derived
Polioviruses--Worldwide, January 2008-June 2009" in the September 18 issue
of MMWR. The first paragraph is reprinted below.
In 1988, the World Health Assembly resolved to eradicate
poliomyelitis worldwide. Subsequently, the Global Polio
Eradication Initiative of the World Health Organization
(WHO) reduced the global incidence of polio associated with
wild polioviruses (WPVs) from an estimated 350,000 cases in
125 countries in 1988 to 1,651 reported cases in 2008 and
reduced the number of countries that have never interrupted
WPV transmission to four (Afghanistan, India, Nigeria, and
Pakistan). Under current WHO plans, when the goal of
eradicating all WPV transmission is attained, oral
poliovirus vaccine (OPV) use worldwide eventually will be
discontinued. However, because vaccine-derived polioviruses
(VDPVs) can produce polio outbreaks in areas with low rates
of Sabin OPV coverage and can replicate for years in
immunodeficient persons, enhanced strategies are needed to
limit emergence of VDPVs. This report updates previous
summaries and describes VDPVs detected worldwide during
January 2008-June 2009. During this period, (1) two new
outbreaks of circulating VDPVs (cVDPVs) (accounting for
4-20 cases) were identified in the Democratic Republic of
Congo and Ethiopia; (2) a previously identified outbreak in
Nigeria ultimately resulted in a cumulative total of 292
cases; (3) two newly identified paralyzed immunodeficient
persons in Argentina and the United States were found to
excrete VDPVs; and (4) isolated VDPVs were found among
persons and environmental samples in 11 countries. All
countries need to maintain (1) high rates of poliovirus
vaccination coverage to prevent VDPV spread and (2)
sensitive poliovirus surveillance to detect VDPVs.
To access the full article in web-text (HTML) format, go to:
http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm5836a3.htm
To access a ready-to-print (PDF) version of this issue of
MMWR, go to:
http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/PDF/wk/mm5836.pdf
Back to top |
| |
|
|
18. |
California Department of Public Health announces influenza PSA contest
The California Department of Public Health is
sponsoring a
contest to create a video public service announcement to
promote prevention of H1N1 and seasonal influenza. The
contest is open ONLY to California residents age 14 years
and older and the deadline for entries in October 16.
For more information, go to: http://www.cdphfilmfest.org
Back to top |
| |
|
|
