IAC Express 2011 |
|
Issue number 914: February 22, 2011 |
|
|
| 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. |
- U.S.
Department of Health and Human Services releases National Vaccine Plan
- New
handout for parents about vaccine safety now available
- MMWR
reports on deaths from acute HBV infection associated with assisted blood
glucose monitoring
- IAC's
Video of the Week features Dr. Paul Offit on The Colbert Report
- IAC
updates staff-education resources on vaccine contraindications and
precautions
- Spotlight
on immunize.org: top resources for communicating with parents about
vaccines
- CDC
Health Advisory Network notifies healthcare professionals about best
practices for using PCR for diagnosing pertussis
- CDC
releases training videos on pertussis specimen collection
- MMWR
publishes report on U.S. influenza activity from December 12, 2010 to
February 5, 2011
- CDC
offers new patient education materials related to hepatitis B
-
Influenza vaccination is recommended for almost everyone, so please keep
vaccinating!
-
Award-winning DVD! "Immunization Techniques: Best Practices with Infants,
Children, and Adults"--from the California Department of Public Health,
Immunization Branch
- MMWR
reports on potential transmission of viral hepatitis via stored blood
vessels
-
Reminder: NFID's Annual Conference on Vaccine Research to be held May
16-18 in Baltimore
-
California Immunization Coalition Summit scheduled for April 18 in Los
Angeles
-
Virginia's Vaccine Update Conference to be held on May 6 in Richmond
|
| |
| 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 914: February 22, 2011 |
|
|
|
1. |
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services releases National Vaccine Plan
On February 16, the U.S. Department of Health and
Human
Services (HHS) released an updated National Vaccine Plan.
Excerpts from a related press release follow.
HHS RELEASES NEW STRATEGIC PLAN TO ADVANCE VACCINE AND
IMMUNIZATION SCIENCE AND POLICY FOR THE NEXT DECADE
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services today
unveiled a new National Vaccine Plan to enhance coordination
of all aspects of federal vaccine and immunization
activities. Its goal is to ensure that all Americans can
access the preventive benefits of vaccines.
The plan is a wide-ranging guide to innovating the nation's
vaccine system. It addresses such issues as research and
development, supply, financing, distribution, safety, global
cooperation, and informed decision-making among consumers
and healthcare providers.
This is the first update of the National Vaccine Plan since
the original version in 1994. . . .
Despite the success of vaccines in reducing death and
disability over the last century, many Americans still
suffer from infectious diseases that can be prevented by
vaccines. The plan offers innovative approaches to improve
delivery of existing vaccines and to spur development of new
products to prevent infectious disease. . . .
To access the National Vaccine Plan in PDF format, as well
as more information including the full press release, go to:
http://www.hhs.gov/nvpo/vacc_plan
Back to top |
| |
|
|
2. |
New handout for parents about vaccine safety now available
A new 4-page handout for parents titled "Vaccine
Safety
Resources" has just been released. This resource includes
information on immunization and vaccine safety available
from eight different organizations, and also includes titles
of books to help parents who have vaccine concerns.
This new resource was reviewed and approved by the American
Academy of Pediatrics, Every Child By Two, Immunization
Action Coalition, Institute for Vaccine Safety, National
Network for Immunization Information, and Parents of Kids
with Infectious Diseases.
To access this resource from IAC's website, go to:
http://www.immunize.org/vaccine-safety-resources.pdf
Back to top |
| |
|
|
3. |
MMWR reports on deaths from acute HBV infection associated with assisted
blood glucose monitoring
CDC published "Notes from the Field: Deaths from
Acute
Hepatitis B Virus Infection Associated with Assisted Blood
Glucose Monitoring in an Assisted-Living Facility--North
Carolina, August-October 2010," in the February 18 issue of
MMWR. The first two sentences and the second paragraph are
reprinted below.
Sharing of blood glucose monitoring equipment in assisted-living facilities has resulted in at least 16 outbreaks of
hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection in the United States since
2004. On October 12, 2010, the North Carolina Division of
Public Health (NCDPH) and the Wayne County Health Department
were notified by a local hospital of four residents of a
single assisted-living facility with suspected acute HBV
infection. . . .
The investigation identified unsafe practices, including
sharing of reusable fingerstick lancing devices approved for
single patient use only and shared use of blood glucose
meters without cleaning and disinfection between patients.
Of 87 persons who had resided in the facility during the
study period, 47 were excluded from analysis because of HBV
immunity (20 persons), chronic infection (one person), or
unknown HBV status (26 persons). Of the remaining 40, eight
met the case definition. Of these, all were hospitalized,
and six died from hepatitis complications. All eight were
among the 15 residents whom facility staff had assisted with
blood glucose monitoring; none of 25 residents who had not
been assisted with blood glucose monitoring were infected.
To access the full article, go to:
http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm6006a5.htm
Back to top |
| |
|
|
4. |
IAC's Video of the Week features Dr. Paul Offit on The Colbert Report
IAC encourages IAC Express readers to watch a
5-minute video
featuring footage from the January 31 episode of the Comedy
Central show, The Colbert Report. In this video, Dr. Offit
is interviewed by Stephen Colbert about his new book,
"Deadly Choices: How the Anti-Vaccine Movement Threatens Us
All."
The video will be available on the home page of IAC's
website through February 27. To access it, go to:
http://www.immunize.org and click on the image under the
words Video of the Week.
To order the book from the publisher, Perseus Books Group,
go to:
http://perseuspublicity.com/basic/reviews.php?isbn=9780465021499
Alternatively, find the book at your local bookstore or from
online booksellers.
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
Back to top |
| |
|
|
5. |
IAC updates staff-education resources on vaccine contraindications and
precautions
IAC recently revised the following two important
handouts
for healthcare professionals based on ACIP's "General
Recommendations on Immunization," which was released on
January 28, 2011.
(1) IAC updated "Guide to Contraindications and Precautions
to Commonly Used Vaccines" to take into account the switch
from PCV7 to PCV13 vaccine, the addition of severe combined
immunodeficiency (SCID) as a contraindication for rotavirus
vaccination, changes to the Tdap section, and other edits.
This handout includes information about vaccines for both
children and adults. Go to:
http://www.immunize.org/catg.d/p3072a.pdf
(2) IAC updated "Guide to Contraindications and Precautions
to Commonly Used Vaccines in Adults," to include changes to
the Tdap section and other edits. Go to:
http://www.immunize.org/catg.d/p3072.pdf
CDC has developed two new web resource based on the vaccine
contraindications and precautions excerpted from ACIP's
updated "General Recommendations on Immunization." One is
"Chart of Contraindications and Precautions to Commonly Used
Vaccines"; the other is "Conditions Commonly Misperceived as
Contraindications to Vaccination."
To access CDC's web resource "Chart of Contraindications and
Precautions to Commonly Used Vaccines," go to:
http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/recs/vac-admin/contraindications-vacc.htm
To access CDC's web resource "Conditions Commonly
Misperceived as Contraindications to Vaccination," go to:
http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/recs/vac-admin/contraindications-misconceptions.htm
To access ACIP's "General Recommendations on Immunization,"
go to: http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/pdf/rr/rr6002.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
Back to top |
| |
|
|
6. |
Spotlight on immunize.org: top resources for communicating with parents about
vaccines
Are you looking for background information and
practical
resources that will help you discuss immunization with
concerned parents? Look no further. IAC's Vaccine Concerns
web section provides access to top vaccination resources
from trusted sources such as CDC, AAP, Children's Hospital
of Philadelphia, IAC, and many more.
The Vaccine Concerns web section is divided into two main
parts: (1) specific topics that parents and patients have
questions about (e.g., Adjuvants, Autism, MMR, and Dr.
Sears' Alternative Schedule) and (2) helpful resources for
communicating about vaccines, including Talking with
Parents, the Importance of Vaccines, and Vaccine Safety.
For a wealth of information on Vaccine Concerns topics,
visit http://www.immunize.org/concerns
Back to top |
| |
|
|
7. |
CDC Health Advisory Network notifies healthcare professionals about best
practices for using PCR for diagnosing pertussis
On February 16, CDC issued a Health Advisory
titled "Best
Practices for Health Care Professionals on the Use of
Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) for Diagnosing Pertussis."
The summary paragraph is reprinted below.
With the continuing resurgence of pertussis, healthcare
professionals will likely see more patients with suspected
pertussis. Proper testing criteria, timing of testing,
specimen collection techniques, protocols for avoiding
specimen contamination, and appropriate interpretation of
test results are all necessary to ensure that Polymerase
Chain Reaction (PCR) reliably informs patient diagnosis. PCR
is an important tool for timely diagnosis of pertussis and
is increasingly available to clinicians. PCR is a molecular
technique used to detect DNA sequences of the Bordetella
pertussis bacterium and unlike culture does not require
viable (live) bacteria present in the specimen. Despite
this advantage, PCR can give results that are falsely-negative or falsely-positive. The following compilation of
best practices is intended to help healthcare professionals
optimize the use of PCR testing for pertussis by avoiding
some of the more common pitfalls leading to inaccurate
results.
To access the complete advisory, including recommendations
for testing and understanding and interpreting PCR results,
go to:
http://www2a.cdc.gov/HAN/ArchiveSys/ViewMsgV.asp?AlertNum=00319
Back to top |
| |
|
|
8. |
CDC
releases training videos on pertussis specimen collection
In light of the 2010 pertussis increase,
clinicians are
increasingly ordering tests for pertussis. Appropriate
specimen collection is vital to obtaining accurate
diagnostic results. CDC recently released two training
videos for pertussis specimen collection. The videos
illustrate the appropriate collection and handling
techniques for nasopharyngeal swab and aspirate procedures.
These training videos are available in English and Spanish
at
http://www.cdc.gov/pertussis/clinical/diagnostic-testing/specimen-collection.html
Back to top |
| |
|
|
9. |
MMWR
publishes report on U.S. influenza activity from December 12, 2010 to February
5, 2011
CDC published "Update: Influenza
Activity--United States,
December 12, 2010-February 5, 2011" in the February 18 issue
of MMWR. A summary made available to the press is reprinted
below in its entirety.
Influenza is currently present in all 50 states, and
activity is widespread in approximately 75 percent of
states. The weekly number of out-patient visits for
influenza-like illness has steadily risen since the first
week of January. The percentage of overall deaths attributed
to pneumonia or influenza first exceeded the epidemic
threshold in the last week of January. The number of
pediatric influenza-associated deaths that have been
reported tripled (from 10 prior to January 16, 2011 to 30
since January 16, 2011) in the past month. In 2010-11,
influenza continues to be associated with a substantial
number of out-patient visits, hospitalizations, and deaths,
particularly among high-risk persons. It is not too late to
be vaccinated. Annual vaccination is the most effective
method to prevent influenza and its complications. All
persons older than 6 months of age who have not yet been
vaccinated this season should talk to their healthcare
providers about getting vaccinated.
To access the full article, go to:
http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm6006a4.htm
Back to top |
| |
|
|
10. |
CDC offers new patient education materials related to hepatitis B
CDC recently updated the following perinatal
hepatitis B
resources for patients.
"Protect Your Baby for Life--When a Pregnant Woman Has
Hepatitis B"
Go to:
http://www.cdc.gov/hepatitis/HBV/PDFs/HepBPerinatal-ProtectWhenPregnant.pdf
"Protect Your Baby for Life--Hepatitis B and Your Baby"
Go to:
http://www.cdc.gov/hepatitis/HBV/PDFs/HepBPerinatal-ProtectHepBYourBaby.pdf
Additional brochures and fact sheets about viral hepatitis
for the public can be accessed at
http://www.cdc.gov/hepatitis/B/PatientEduB.htm#cdc
Back to top |
| |
|
|
11. |
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
Back to top |
| |
|
|
12. |
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:
-
Selecting, preparing, and administering injectable, oral,
and nasal vaccines
-
Documenting immunizations
-
Making patients comfortable and educating them
-
Facilitating staff and patient communication
Prices start at $17 each for 1-9 copies and are greatly
reduced for large orders, dropping to $3 each for 1,000-1,499 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.
Back to top |
| |
|
|
13. |
MMWR reports on potential transmission of viral hepatitis via stored blood
vessels
CDC published "Potential Transmission of Viral
Hepatitis
Through Use of Stored Blood Vessels as Conduits in Organ
Transplantation--Pennsylvania, 2009," in the February 18
issue of MMWR. A summary made available to the press is
reprinted below in its entirety.
Solid organ transplantation sometimes requires the use of
blood vessel "conduits" from a deceased donor to connect
transplanted organ vessels to recipient vessels. Vessel
conduits not immediately used are stored for later use.
Vessel conduits from hepatitis B virus and hepatitis C virus
seropositive donors can be stored, but are intended for use
in seropositive patients only. Unintended viral hepatitis
transmission can be reduced by discontinuing the practice of
storing hepatitis-seropositive vessel conduits, and should
be considered at all transplant centers. Organ procurement
organizations, transplant centers, and the public health
community should be aware of the potential risk of hepatitis
virus transmission from vessel conduit use. CDC recommends
that organ procurement organizations and transplant centers
discontinue the practice of storing hepatitis-seropositive
vessel conduits.
To access the full article, go to:
http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm6006a3.htm
Back to top |
| |
|
|
14. |
Reminder: NFID's Annual Conference on Vaccine Research to be held May 16-18
in Baltimore
NFID's 14th Annual Conference on Vaccine
Research, the
largest scientific forum devoted exclusively to the research
and development of vaccines and related technologies for
prevention and treatment of disease through immunization,
will be held May 16-18, in Baltimore, Maryland.
For more information, go to:
http://www.nfid.org/conferences/vaccine11
Back to top |
| |
|
|
15. |
California Immunization Coalition Summit scheduled for April 18 in Los Angeles
The California Immunization Coalition will host
its annual
summit on April 18, in Los Angeles. Topics will include
California's new school entry requirement law, best
practices to eliminate immunization disparities, and methods
to increase immunization rates in all age groups.
For details about the 2011 California Immunization Coalition
Summit, including the agenda and registration information,
go to: http://www.ImmunizeCA.org
Back to top |
| |
|
|
16. |
Virginia's Vaccine Update Conference to be held on May 6 in Richmond
Project Immunize Virginia's 11th Annual Vaccine
Update
Conference will be held on May 6 in Richmond. The conference
will focus on the latest vaccine recommendations,
techniques, and strategies to reach diverse populations with
advice from state and national experts, including William
Atkinson, MD, MPH, medical epidemiologist, NCIRD, CDC, and
Paul Offit, MD, chief, Division of Infectious Diseases, and
director, Vaccine Education Center, Children's Hospital
of Philadelphia.
For more information, go to:
http://www.immunizeva.org/sp_11_vaccine_conference.php
Back to top |
| |
|
|
