IAC Express 2011 |
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Issue number 910: January 24, 2011 |
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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. |
- Reminder:
New issues of Needle Tips and Vaccinate Adults available online
- British
Medical Journal wraps up a special series that exposes Andrew Wakefield's
fraudulent research
- Salon
retracts Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s report linking thimerosal to childhood
neurological disorders
- FDA and
CDC issue update on Fluzone influenza vaccine and VAERS reports of febrile
seizures in children
- MMWR
publishes CDC's recommendations for antiviral treatment and
chemoprophylaxis of influenza infections
- Spotlight
on immunize.org: IAC's most popular handouts for patients offered in 12
languages
- IAC's
Video of the Week teaches children how to protect themselves from
influenza
- Rotavirus
vaccine VIS now available in Spanish
- Studies
in Pediatric Infectious Diseases Journal's special supplement show
rotavirus vaccines significantly reduce severe and fatal diarrhea in young
children
- National
Influenza Vaccine Summit is accepting nominations for its 2011
Immunization Excellence Awards through March 1
- IAC
updates its "Notification of Vaccination Letter"
-
Influenza vaccination is recommended for almost everyone, so please keep
vaccinating!
- MMWR
publishes report on self-reported cases of influenza-like illness in the
U.S. during the 2009 H1N1 pandemic
-
Award-winning DVD! "Immunization Techniques: Best Practices with Infants,
Children, and Adults"--from the California Department of Public Health,
Immunization Branch
- February
25 is the nomination deadline for the 2011 Natalie J. Smith, MD, Award
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VICNetwork hosts January 27 webinar on using storytelling to communicate
the importance of vaccination
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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 910: January 24, 2011 |
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1. |
Reminder: New issues of Needle Tips and Vaccinate Adults available online
The January issues of Needle Tips and Vaccinate
Adults are available online for viewing, downloading, and printing. Both
issues feature information on CDC's recommendations for expanded use of Tdap
vaccine. Most of the content of Vaccinate Adults is identical to that of
Needle Tips; only the pediatric information has been removed.
To download the entire issue of Needle Tips right now, go to:
http://www.immunize.org/nslt.d/n47/n47.pdf
To download the entire issue of Vaccinate Adults right now, go to:
http://www.immunize.org/va/va30.pdf
For complete information about the new issue of Needle Tips--including the
table of contents and the magazine-viewer option--and for access to back
issues, go to:
http://www.immunize.org/nt
For complete information about the new issue of Vaccinate Adults--including
the table of contents and the magazine-viewer option--and for access to back
issues, go to:
http://www.immunize.org/va
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2. |
British Medical Journal wraps up a special series that exposes Andrew
Wakefield's fraudulent research
The British Medical Journal (BMJ) has finished
publishing all of its three-part series about Dr. Andrew Wakefield's 1998
paper that fraudulently linked MMR vaccine to the development of autism. The
series writer is investigative journalist Brian Deer.
Published on January 18, part three is titled "The Lancet's Two Days to Bury
Bad News." It discloses what happened when Deer reported misconduct in Andrew
Wakefield's MMR research to The Lancet, the medical journal that published
the research. To access it, go to:
http://www.bmj.com/content/342/bmj.c7001.full
Published on January 11, part two is titled "How the Vaccine Crisis Was Meant
to Make Money." It reveals a secret scheme to raise huge sums from a campaign
that claimed links existed between MMR, autism, and bowel disease. To access
it, go to:
http://www.bmj.com/content/342/bmj.c5258.full
Published on January 5, part one is titled "How the Case against the MMR
Vaccine Was Fixed." It exposes the bogus data behind claims that launched a
worldwide scare over the measles, mumps, and rubella vaccine. To access it,
go to:
http://www.bmj.com/content/342/bmj.c5347.full
IAC recently created a new web page titled "The Fraud Behind the MMR Scare."
Frequently updated, it offers website users links to all three parts of the
BMJ series, accompanying BMJ editorials, related print news coverage and
commentary, and videos of broadcast media coverage. To access it, go to:
http://www.immunize.org/bmj-deer-mmr-wakefield
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3. |
Salon retracts Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s report linking thimerosal to childhood
neurological disorders
Salon, a respected online news and entertainment
website, recently retracted "Deadly Immunity," a 2005 report by Robert F.
Kennedy Jr. In the report, Kennedy wrote that the mercury-based thimerosal
compound present in vaccines until 2001 was dangerous, and that he was
"convinced that the link between thimerosal and the epidemic of childhood
neurological disorders is real."
Since publishing Kennedy's report, Salon issued five corrections that went
far in undermining the report. However, recent criticism of Kennedy's premise
eroded Salon's faith in the report's value, and Salon decided to remove the
report from its website and issue a retraction.
To read Salon's retraction statement, go to:
http://www.salon.com/about/inside_salon/2011/01/16/dangerous_immunity/index.html
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4. |
FDA and CDC issue update on Fluzone influenza vaccine and VAERS reports of
febrile seizures in children
On January 20, FDA and CDC jointly issued an
update
regarding an increase in the number of reports to the
Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS) of febrile
seizures following vaccination with Fluzone (inactivated,
injectable influenza vaccine; sanofi pasteur). Portions of
the update are reprinted below.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) routinely monitor the
safety of all U.S. vaccines by using several vaccine safety
surveillance systems, including the Vaccine Adverse Event
Reporting System (VAERS). VAERS collects and analyzes
information from reported adverse events (health problems or
possible side effects) that occur after vaccination.
FDA and CDC have recently detected an increase in the number
of reports to VAERS of febrile seizures following
vaccination with Fluzone (trivalent inactivated influenza
vaccine or TIV, manufactured by Sanofi Pasteur, Inc.).
Fluzone is the only influenza vaccine recommended for use
for the 2010-2011 flu season in infants and children 6-23
months of age. These reported febrile seizures have
primarily been seen in children younger than 2 years of age.
Data from VAERS are preliminary and serve as a sign or
indication that further investigation is warranted. Further
investigations are under way to assess whether there could
be an association between influenza vaccination and febrile
seizures, or if other factors could be involved. FDA and CDC
have seen no increase in VAERS reports of febrile seizures
in people older than 2 years of age following vaccination
with TIV, and no increase after live attenuated influenza
vaccine (FluMist, the nasal spray vaccine). In the cases
reported, all children recovered and no lasting effects have
been seen. Recommendations for the use of flu vaccine in
children have not changed.
FDA and CDC will continue to conduct studies and provide
additional information to the public and healthcare
providers as it becomes available. . . .
The risk of severe influenza illness is higher among young
children, especially children under 2 years of age.
Approximately 9 out of 10,000 children 6-23 months of age
require hospitalization each season for reasons related to
influenza. Flu vaccine is the best way to protect against
becoming ill with the flu.
Recommendations for the use of flu vaccine in children have
not changed. CDC recommends that all persons ages 6 months
and older receive a flu vaccine each year.
FDA and CDC are conducting further analyses to investigate
this preliminary finding in VAERS and will provide
additional information as it becomes available. FDA is also
working closely with the manufacturer to obtain additional
information and investigate the situation further.
To access the complete FDA/CDC update, go to:
http://www.fda.gov/BiologicsBloodVaccines/SafetyAvailability/VaccineSafety/ucm240037.htm
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5. |
MMWR publishes CDC's recommendations for antiviral treatment and
chemoprophylaxis of influenza infections
On January 21, CDC published "Antiviral Agents
for the
Treatment and Chemoprophylaxis of Influenza: Recommendations
of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP)" as an MMWR Recommendations and Reports. The beginning of the
summary section is reprinted below.
This report updates previous recommendations by CDC's
Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP)
regarding the use of antiviral agents for the prevention and
treatment of influenza (CDC. Prevention and control of
influenza: recommendations of the Advisory Committee on
Immunization Practices [ACIP]. MMWR 2008;57[No. RR-7]). This
report contains information on treatment and
chemoprophylaxis of influenza virus infection and provides a
summary of the effectiveness and safety of antiviral
treatment medications. . . .
To access the complete recommendations in ready-to-print
(PDF) format, go to: http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/pdf/rr/rr6001.pdf
To access the complete recommendations in web-text (HTML)
format, go to:
http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/rr6001a1.htm
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6. |
Spotlight on immunize.org: IAC's most popular handouts for patients offered
in 12 languages
Looking for quick access to translated
immunization
materials for patients in Spanish, Arabic, Chinese, Farsi,
French, Hmong, Japanese, Korean, Russian, Tagalog, Turkish,
or Vietnamese? Look no further. If you are a healthcare
professional who provides vaccination services to people who
don't speak English, then you are likely aware that IAC is
the "go-to" spot for translations of Vaccine Information
Statements (VISs). Did you also know that many of IAC's most
popular pieces are also available in several languages? All
are in ready-to-print (PDF) format.
To access IAC's popular handouts for patients in 12
languages, visit: http://www.immunize.org/handouts/?f=6
If you have a need for an IAC handout or VIS in a language
that is not currently available, please consider translating
the piece for IAC and then sharing it with the world via
immunize.org. You'll find details about providing
translations for IAC at this link:
http://www.immunize.org/translate.asp
IAC's Handouts for Patients and Staff web section offers
healthcare professionals and the public more than 250 FREE
English-language handouts (many also available in
translation), which we encourage website users to print out,
copy, and distribute widely. To access all of IAC's free
handouts, go to: http://www.immunize.org/handouts/view-all.asp
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7. |
IAC's Video of the Week teaches children how to protect themselves from
influenza
IAC encourages IAC Express readers to watch "The
Flu
Fighters," a 2-minute animated video that teaches elementary
school students how to protect themselves from influenza.
Made available by the Texas Department of State Health
Services, the video features action-packed artwork, clever
lyrics, and a bouncing rap beat.
The video will be available on the home page of IAC's
website through January 30. To access it, go to:
http://www.immunize.org and click on the image under the
words Video of the Week. After January 30, access the video
on YouTube at http://www.youtube.com/TexasDSHS#p/u/7/XzEIoj6lBes
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
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8. |
Rotavirus vaccine VIS now available in Spanish
The VIS for rotavirus vaccine is now available in
Spanish.
IAC gratefully acknowledges the Oregon Immunization Program
for the translation.
To access the Spanish translation of the VIS for rotavirus
vaccine, as well as its English-language counterpart, go to:
http://www.immunize.org/vis/vis_rotavirus.asp
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
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9. |
Studies in Pediatric Infectious Diseases Journal's special supplement show
rotavirus vaccines significantly reduce severe and fatal diarrhea in young
children
"Real World Impact of Rotavirus Vaccination," a
special
supplement to the January 2011 edition of the Pediatric
Infectious Disease Journal, demonstrates the dramatic impact
of rotavirus vaccines on children's health in both developed
and developing countries. Studies in the supplement show
that in the two-to-three years following the rollout of
rotavirus vaccines in national immunization programs,
countries experienced striking and swift reductions in the
number of children younger than age five hospitalized as a
result of acute diarrhea caused by rotavirus.
The entire content of the special supplement is available at
no charge at http://journals.lww.com/pidj/toc/2011/01001
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10. |
National Influenza Vaccine Summit is accepting nominations for its 2011
Immunization Excellence Awards through March 1
The nomination form for the
National Influenza Vaccine
Summit's Immunization Excellence Awards is now available.
The awards recognize individuals and organizations that have
made extraordinary contributions toward improved adult
and/or childhood influenza vaccination within their
communities. Awards will be presented during the National
Influenza Vaccine Summit meeting to be held in May. The
deadline for nominations is March 1.
There are four categories of recognition:
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Overall Season Activities
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Healthcare Personnel Campaign
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Immunization Coalitions/Public Health/Community Campaign
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Corporate Campaign
To access complete information and the online nomination
form, go to: http://fs16.formsite.com/APhA/2011NIVSAwards
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11. |
IAC updates its "Notification of Vaccination Letter"
The Immunization Action Coalition (IAC) recently
revised its
template "Notification of Vaccination Letter." The template
letter lists the vaccines routinely administered to children
and adults. It offers sample text that you can use to create
a letter to notify medical practices that you have
vaccinated their patient.
To access a ready-to-print (PDF) version of the revised
prototype letter, go to: http://www.immunize.org/catg.d/p3060.pdf
IAC's Handouts for Patients and Staff web section offers
healthcare professionals and the public approximately 250
FREE English-language handouts (many also available in
translation), which we encourage website users to print out,
copy, and distribute widely. To access all of IAC's free
handouts, go to: http://www.immunize.org/handouts
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12. |
Influenza vaccination is recommended for almost everyone, so please keep
vaccinating!
Influenza vaccination is recommended for everyone
age 6
months and older, so please keep vaccinating your patients.
If you don't have influenza vaccine, you can direct patients
to the Google Flu Vaccine Finder. It helps the public find
nearby locations where influenza vaccine is available. It's
as simple as entering a zip code. Visit the Google Flu
Vaccine Finder: http://www.google.com/flushot
Following is a list of resources related to influenza
disease and vaccination for healthcare professionals and the
public.
To access IAC's handouts related to influenza, including
screening questionnaires, patient education pieces, and
sample standing orders, go to:
http://www.immunize.org/handouts/influenza-vaccines.asp
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13. |
MMWR publishes report on self-reported cases of influenza-like illness in the
U.S. during the 2009 H1N1 pandemic
CDC published "Self-Reported
Influenza-Like Illness During
the 2009 H1N1 Influenza Pandemic--United States, September
2009-March 2010" in the January 21 issue of MMWR. The
beginning of first paragraph is reprinted below.
CDC identified the first case of 2009 H1N1 pandemic
influenza on April 15, 2009. During the first 3 months of
the outbreak, approximately 43,000 cases were reported to
CDC. In June 2009, the World Health Organization declared
the outbreak an influenza pandemic. Because no existing
influenza surveillance system in the United States monitored
influenza-like illness (ILI) among persons with ILI who did
not seek health care, CDC initiated community-based
surveillance of self-reported ILI (defined as the presence
of fever with cough or sore throat) and healthcare-seeking
behavior through a supplementary module of the Behavioral
Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS). This report
summarizes results from BRFSS surveys conducted during
September 2009-March 2010. . . .
To access the full article in web-text (HTML) format, go to:
http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm6002a1.htm
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14. |
Award-winning DVD! "Immunization Techniques: Best Practices with Infants,
Children, and Adults"--from the California Department of Public Health,
Immunization Branch
The California Department of Public Health (CDPH),
Immunization Branch, has updated its award-winning training
video, "Immunization Techniques: Best Practices with
Infants, Children, and Adults." The 25-minute program can be
used to train new employees and to refresh the skills of
experienced staff. The video demonstrates the skills and
techniques needed to administer vaccines to patients of all
ages. It includes instruction on the following:
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Selecting, preparing, and administering injectable, oral,
and nasal vaccines
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Documenting immunizations
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Making patients comfortable and educating them
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Facilitating staff and patient communication
Prices start at $17 each for 1-9 copies and are greatly
reduced for large orders, dropping to $4.25 each for 1,000-1,500 copies.
To learn more about the DVD, and find out how to order it,
go to: http://www.immunize.org/shop/toolkit_iztechdvd.asp
For quotes on larger quantities, call (651) 647-9009 or
email admininfo@immunize.org
The Immunization Action Coalition is the only nationwide
vendor of this new DVD.
Note for healthcare settings located in California: Contact
your local health department immunization program for a free
copy.
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15. |
February 25 is the nomination deadline for the 2011 Natalie J. Smith, MD, Award
The Association of Immunization Managers (AIM) is
soliciting
nominations for the 2011 Natalie J. Smith, MD, Award for
excellence in program management. Nominations are due on February 25. The award is given annually at the National
Immunization Conference to an outstanding program manager of
one of the 64 federal immunization grantee immunization
programs.
For background information, selection criteria, and access
to the nomination form, go to:
http://www.immunizationmanagers.org/membership/natalie_smith_award.phtml
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16. |
VICNetwork hosts January 27 webinar on using storytelling to communicate the
importance of vaccination
The Virtual Immunization Communication Network (VICNetwork)
is hosting a free webinar on January 27 at 11 a.m. Pacific
time/2 p.m. Eastern time. "Storytelling: A Tool for
Effective Communication" features Bill Smith, EdD, co-founder of the Social Marketing Institute, Washington, DC;
and Amanda Roth, MSW, MPH, California Department of Public
Health.
Mr. Smith will discuss how to use storytelling to
communicate information about immunization. Ms. Roth is
involved in Shot by Shot, a project of the California
Immunization Coalition. Shot by Shot has created a
collection of stories from people who have been touched by
vaccine-preventable diseases.
There is no fee to participate in the webinar, but pre-registration is required.
For additional information and to pre-register, go to:
http://vicnetwork.org/2010/12/26/next-vicnetwork-webinar-january-2011
Scroll down to the link that's titled "Register here to attend
our upcoming webinar."
For more information, go to http://vicnetwork.org
VICNetwork is a project of the National Public Health
Information Coalition (NPHIC) in collaboration with the
California Immunization Coalition (CIC).
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