IAC Express 2010

National Influenza Vaccination Week (NIVW) was established to highlight the importance of continuing influenza vaccination throughout the holiday season and after. This year, it's scheduled for December 5-11.

NIVW COMMUNICATION MATERIALS
CDC has produced a broad range of communication materials that drive home the message that influenza is a serious disease and vaccination is the best protection against it. Materials include posters and brochures, a media toolkit, web tools, audio and video public service announcements, ready-to-print matte articles, and more.

To access these materials, go to the NIVW home page at  http://www.cdc.gov/flu/NIVW

DAILY MATERIALS
These are resources that healthcare professionals can use to promote influenza vaccination to the specific population targeted for each day of NIVW (e.g., Monday is Family Vaccination Day, Tuesday is Chronic Conditions Day, etc.). Materials are being added continually, so be sure to check the daily materials section often at http://www.cdc.gov/flu/NIVW/daily_materials.htm

ADD YOUR NIVW ACTIVITY TO CDC'S FORM
If you are planning an activity during NIVW or beyond to encourage influenza vaccination, CDC would like to hear from you. Provide details about your NIVW activities at http://www.cdc.gov/flu/NIVW/form.htm

To see what others have planned for NIVW, go to: http://www.cdc.gov/flu/NIVW/activities.htm

NIVW ANNOUNCEMENT IN MMWR
On December 3, MMWR published "Announcement: National Influenza Vaccination Week--December 5-11, 2010." Portions of it are reprinted below.

To access the complete announcement in web-text (HTML) format, go to: http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm5947a4.htm

Looking for online influenza vaccination information and resources? Look no further. IAC offers one-stop access to essential information, including recommendations, patient and staff handouts, and many other resources to help you carry out your influenza vaccination activities this season. To access the Influenza web section, visit http://www.immunize.org/influenza

The Diseases and Vaccines web section is a central organizing hub of IAC's website. To access information and resources for 19 vaccine-preventable diseases in addition to influenza, visit http://www.immunize.org/vaccines

Alabama, California, Connecticut, and Wyoming have recently expanded their immunization requirements for pre-school, school, and/or college attendance. Details follow. [Note: "school year" is abbreviated as SY throughout this IAC Express article.]


BACKGROUND INFORMATION--ACTIONS TAKEN BY THE FOUR STATES' LEGISLATIVE OR EXECUTIVE BRANCHES:

• Alabama: On September 17, 2009, the State Board of Health in Alabama passed new rules governing immunization of children in schools and congregated care settings to require additional vaccinations of pre-schoolers as well as students entering sixth grade. Exemptions to these requirements are permissible for medical reasons or based on the religious tenets and practices of the parent or guardian.
   
• California: On September 29, 2010, the governor approved revisions to the immunization mandates for school children in California. Exemptions to the requirements may be granted for medical reasons or because of personal beliefs.
   
• Connecticut: On January 22, 2010, the commissioner of health signed amended regulations governing immunization of children enrolled in child care facilities. Exemptions are permitted for medical reasons or religious beliefs.
   
• Wyoming: On July 21, 2010, the commissioner of the Wyoming Department of Health signed updated state rules governing immunization requirements for children in child care facilities and schools. The rules continue to offer limited medical and religious exemptions from the state requirements; however the new rules call for renewal of all religious exemptions prior to entry into the seventh grade.

NEW REQUIREMENTS (listed in alphabetical order by vaccine):
HEPATITIS A
Connecticut: Regulations amended in January 2010 require documentation of hepatitis A vaccine for children enrolled in childcare facilities who were born on or after January 1, 2009, as follows: one dose if ages 12-23 months or two doses if age 24 months or older (effective September 2010).

IAC has compiled a chart of information about all states that have hepatitis A prevention mandates for day care and school attendance. To access the information, go to: http://www.immunize.org/laws/hepa.asp

The information is also depicted visually on a map of the United States. To access the map, go to: http://www.immunize.org/pdfs/hepa.pdf


INFLUENZA
Connecticut: Regulations amended in January 2010 require that beginning January 1, 2011, and each January 1 thereafter, all children ages 6-59 months are required to have received one dose of influenza vaccine given between the preceding September through December.

IAC has compiled a chart of information about all states that have influenza prevention mandates for day care attendance. To access the information, go to: http://www.immunize.org/laws/flu_childcare.asp

The information is also depicted visually on a map of the United States. To access the map, go to: http://www.immunize.org/laws/flu_childmap.pdf


PNEUMOCOCCAL
Alabama: Rules amended in September 2009 require vaccination against pneumococcal disease for all children enrolled in childcare facilities (effective for SY 2010-11).

IAC has compiled a chart of information about all states that have pneumococcal prevention mandates for day care attendance. To access the information, go to: http://www.immunize.org/laws/pneuconj.asp

The information is also depicted visually on a map of the United States. To access the map, go to: http://www.immunize.org/pdfs/pcv7.pdf


TETANUS-DIPHTHERIA (Td) AND/OR TETANUS-DIPHTHERIA AND ACELLULAR PERTUSSIS (Tdap)
California: Amendments to California law in September 2010 require all students in grades 7 through 12 to have evidence of booster vaccination (given on or after the 10th birthday) against pertussis (i.e., Tdap), effective July 1, 2011. Beginning July 1, 2012, the Tdap mandate will apply to students in grade 7 only.

Wyoming: Updates to Wyoming rules in July 2010 require evidence of a tetanus-diphtheria toxoid and pertussis vaccine (Tdap) for all students entering grade 7 (effective SY 2010-11).

IAC has compiled a chart of information about all states that have Tdap vaccination mandates for middle school and high school attendance. To access the information, go to: http://www.immunize.org/laws/tdap.asp

The information is also depicted visually on a map of the United States. To access the map, go to: http://www.immunize.org/laws/tdap.pdf


VARICELLA
Wyoming: Updates to Wyoming rules in July 2010 require children enrolled in child care facilities to have evidence of age-appropriate vaccination against varicella (e.g., 1 or 2 doses, depending on age) and children enrolling in kindergarten through grade 12 to have evidence of two doses of varicella vaccine. In addition, students entering grade 7 are required to have evidence of a tetanus-diphtheria toxoid and pertussis vaccine (Tdap) booster (effective SY 2010-11).

IAC has compiled a chart of information about all states that require 2 doses of varicella vaccine for school attendance. To access the information, go to: http://www.immunize.org/laws/varicel_sec.asp

The information is also depicted visually on a map of the United States. To access the map, go to: http://www.immunize.org/laws/varicella.pdf


WANT MORE INFORMATION ON STATE IMMUNIZATION MANDATES?
To access more information about state mandates, visit our State Mandates on Immunization and Vaccine-Preventable Diseases web section at http://www.immunize.org/laws

IAC depends on readers to help us stay informed and ensure our website contains the most current and accurate information available. Please let us know when any changes occur in your state by emailing us at admin@immunize.org

The CDC website has a section of resources on immunization requirements for school attendance, healthcare workers, patients in various healthcare settings, and residents of various institutional settings. Among the resources is a searchable database on state immunization laws. To access this section of resources, go to: http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/vac-gen/laws

IAC recently revised three of its Q&A patient-education handouts: "Tetanus: Questions and Answers," "Diphtheria: Questions & Answers," and "Pertussis: Questions & Answers." New questions were added, and additional information was incorporated into existing answers.

The revised handouts are ready-to-print versions of some of the CDC-reviewed material located on IAC's Vaccine Information website (www.vaccineinformation.org). The website is intended for the public, health professionals, and the media.

Tetanus
To access the revised ready-to-print (PDF) handout "Tetanus: Questions and Answers," go to: http://www.immunize.org/catg.d/p4220.pdf

Diphtheria
To access the revised ready-to-print (PDF) handout "Diphtheria: Questions and Answers," go to: http://www.immunize.org/catg.d/p4203.pdf

Pertussis
To access the revised ready-to-print (PDF) handout "Pertussis: Questions and Answers," go to: http://www.immunize.org/catg.d/p4212.pdf

For web-text (HTML) versions of these and other fully formatted documents, go to: http://www.vaccineinformation.org and click on the disease. You will be taken to Q&As about each disease and vaccine.

To access Q&As about other diseases and vaccines in ready-to-print (PDF) format, go to: http://www.immunize.org/printmaterials/questions.asp

National Influenza Vaccination Week (NIVW) was established to highlight the importance of continuing to vaccinate people against influenza throughout the December holiday season and afterward. CDC provides links to several excellent videos and public service announcements (PSAs) that highlight the importance of influenza vaccination. In addition, Families Fighting Flu (FFF) has posted several videos of parents relating their experience of losing a child to influenza.

The selection of influenza videos will be available on the home page of IAC's website through December 12. To access the videos, go to: http://www.immunize.org and click on the links in the box titled Video of the Week. After December 12, you can access the CDC videos and PSAs at http://www.cdc.gov/flu/freeresources/media.htm You can access the FFF videos at http://www.familiesfightingflu.org/?page_id=9 To find out more about FFF, go to: http://www.familiesfightingflu.org

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

CDC encourages its immunization partners to participate in the National Influenza Vaccination Week (NIVW) Tweet-a-Thon. Though Twitter Moms will be a prominent group in the tweet-a-thon, it is not a closed-circuit event, so all organizations who wish to be involved are encouraged to promote NIVW on Twitter during NIVW (December 5-11) through their own Twitter handle and persuade their followers to retweet the message and drive others to the pledge. Following are the tweet and hashtag, (which Twitter Moms will also be using).

It's National Influenza Vaccination Week. Sign the pledge to protect the ones you love today and get vaccinated! Go to: http://bit.ly/haQElr #cdcnivw

Send questions to Austyn Wilder Dukes at AWilderDukes@cdc.gov

CDC recently posted "Real Talk about Influenza Vaccine--Be Informed and Be Prepared," a 30-minute video from Medscape. The video presents a roundtable discussion among three CDC vaccine safety experts--William L. Atkinson, MD, MPH; Karen R. Broder, MD; Timothy M. Uyeki, MD, MPH, MPP.

This is a free continuing medical education (CME) and continuing education (CE) activity for clinicians who routinely administer influenza vaccines and who evaluate and treat patients experiencing adverse events after influenza immunization. These include family medicine and internal medicine physicians, pediatricians, obstetricians/gynecologists, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, and nurses.

Registration is required to access this feature on Medscape. There is no charge to register. To access the video, go to: http://cme.medscape.com/viewarticle/732969

The National Foundation for Infectious Diseases' (NFID's) Childhood Influenza Immunization Coalition recently launched a ready-to-use program to help healthcare professionals (HCPs) engage in ongoing communication about childhood influenza immunization. The program has two tracks, one designed for peer-to-peer HCP communication, and the other for consumers.

Termed the HCP InFLUencer, the program includes template slide decks and background materials for use with different patient populations, such as pregnant women and those with heart disease, in a variety of settings such as pharmacies, workplaces, and schools.

For more information or to access the HCP InFLUencer program, visit http://www.preventchildhoodinfluenza.org/healthcare/hcp_influencer_program_flu_vaccination.php

CDC published "Seasonal Influenza and 2009 H1N1 Influenza Vaccination Coverage Among Pregnant Women--10 States, 2009-10 Influenza Season" in the December 3 issue of MMWR. A summary made available to the press is reprinted below in its entirety.

To access the full article in web-text (HTML) format, go to: http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm5947a1.htm

To aid in efforts to vaccinate against influenza, the Immunization Action Coalition is inviting IAC Express readers to place orders now for bulk quantities of the National Influenza Vaccine Summit's 2010-11 Seasonal Influenza Vaccination Pocket Information Guides. They're free--you can order them in the hundreds or thousands--AS LONG AS SUPPLIES LAST!

These laminated, 3.75 x 6.75-inch, 2-color cards serve as a convenient reference for front-line healthcare professionals who vaccinate patients. The cards provide the following information:

• Indications, contraindications, and precautions for the injectable and intranasal seasonal influenza vaccines
• Clear direction regarding which children need 2 doses of influenza vaccine this year
• Dosage, route of administration, and indicated age group for all the various seasonal influenza vaccine products
• Talking points for discussing seasonal influenza vaccination with patients

See an image of the seasonal influenza vaccine pocket guide at http://www.preventinfluenza.org/fluguide/pocketguide_flu.pdf

The Summit is also pleased to be able to offer pocket guides for the administration of pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine (PPSV). See an image of the PPSV pocket guide at http://www.immunize.org/ppvguide/pocketguide.pdf

Each of these pocket guides is designed to be used by healthcare professionals only; THEY ARE NOT PATIENT HANDOUTS.

HOW TO ORDER
Place your order at http://www.preventinfluenza.org/pocketguides There is no cost for the pocket guides, shipping, or handling within the U.S. WE'RE DOWN TO OUR LAST FEW THOUSAND, so to avoid disappointment, place your order ASAP!

If you have questions, email admininfo@immunize.org

BACKGROUND
For background information on the pocket guides, see http://www.immunize.org/express/issue898.asp#n10

Thanks for your dedication to immunization, and don't forget to keep vaccinating against seasonal influenza through the spring months!

CDC recently posted "2010-2011 Influenza Antiviral Medications: A Summary for Clinicians." This 5-page document presents information on age indications for use of antivirals, contraindications, dosages, and much more.

To access the summary in web-text (HTML) format, go to: http://www.cdc.gov/flu/professionals/antivirals/summary-clinicians.htm

To access the summary in ready-to-print (PDF) format, go to: http://www.cdc.gov/flu/pdf/professionals/antivirals/Clin_antivirals_summary_FINAL.pdf

The "Know What to Do About the Flu" November 19 webcast focused on what senior citizens and their caregivers need to know about influenza. The webcast, one of a series of influenza panel discussions offered by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), included information presented by Kathleen Sebelius (Secretary of HHS); Donald Berwick, MD (Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services); Nancy Cox, PhD (CDC); Alicia Georges, RN (American Association of Retired Persons).

The webcast has a run time of 20 minutes. To view it, go to http://www.flu.gov/video/webcasts/webchat_for_seniors.html

To access archived "Know What to Do About the Flu" videos, go to: http://www.flu.gov/video/webcasts

On December 2, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced in a press release that it has posted Healthy People 2020, the nation's new 10-year goals and objectives for health promotion and disease prevention. Healthy People 2020 differs from earlier versions (e.g., Healthy People 2010, etc.) because it is being distributed through an interactive website rather than in print. (Note: A link to the press release is given at the end of this IAC Express article.)

Healthy People 2020 includes a section on Immunization and Infectious Diseases, which is divided into three subsections: overview, objectives, and interventions & resources. To access the Immunization and Infectious Diseases section, go to: http://www.healthypeople.gov/2020/topicsobjectives2020/overview.aspx?topicid=23

To access the 2020 Healthy People website, go to: http://www.healthypeople.gov/2020

To access the December 2 HHS press release, go to: http://www.hhs.gov/news/press/2010pres/12/20101202a.html

CDC recently released "Sexually Transmitted Disease Surveillance 2009." It presents statistics and trends for sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) in the United States through 2009. A section titled "Other Sexually Transmitted Diseases" presents statistics related to human papillomavirus.

To access a ready-to-print (PDF) version of the STD report, go to: http://www.cdc.gov/std/stats09/surv2009-Complete.pdf

To browse the report by section, go to: http://www.cdc.gov/std/stats09/toc.htm

To access the "Other Sexually Transmitted Diseases" section, go to: http://www.cdc.gov/std/stats09/other.htm