Issue Number 95
July 12, 1999
CONTENTS OF THIS ISSUE
- CDC publishes report on rubella
outbreak in New York
- An update on hepatitis B vaccines and
thimerosal
- CDC's "Guidelines for Vaccinating
Pregnant Women" now available on IAC's website
- IAC makes it easy to visit state
health department websites!
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(1)
July 9, 1999
CDC PUBLISHES REPORT ON RUBELLA OUTBREAK IN NEW YORK
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention published the article, "Rubella
Outbreak -- Westchester County, New York, 1997-1998," in the July 9, 1999, issue of
the MMWR.
The article reports that 95 confirmed rubella cases were identified in Westchester County,
New York, from December 1997 through May 1998. This rubella outbreak occurred among young,
unvaccinated Hispanic adults who were born outside the United States.
The article includes the local health authorities' response to the outbreak and
"highlights the importance of accurately defining and vaccinating at-risk populations
to prevent transmission, and underscores how collaboration with community-based
organizations can facilitate the development and implementation of control measures."
The article also includes the following information on the seriousness of rubella and the
importance of vaccination during outbreaks:
"Rubella infection during the first trimester of pregnancy can result in miscarriage,
stillbirth, or infants with a pattern of birth defects (i.e., congenital rubella
syndrome). During 1997-1998, 524 cases of rubella were reported in the United States (CDC,
unpublished data, 1999)."
"During rubella outbreaks, vaccination is the most effective preventive
measure."
To obtain a text version of this MMWR article, click here:
http://www.cdc.gov/epo/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm4826a2.htm
HOW TO GET A FREE ELECTRONIC SUBSCRIPTION TO THE MMWR
To get a free electronic subscription to the MMWR (delivered weekly), go to the MMWR
website and sign up. When you sign up, you will also automatically begin to receive all
new ACIP statements which are published as MMWR's "Recommendations and Reports."
To get to the MMWR website, click here: http://www2.cdc.gov/mmwr/
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(2)
July 12, 1999
AN UPDATE ON HEPATITIS B VACCINES AND THIMEROSAL
The Immunization Action Coalition has learned that the two brands of single antigen
hepatitis B vaccine used in the United States may soon be available without thimerosal.
Merck & Co., manufacturer of Recombivax HB vaccine, and SmithKline Beecham,
manufacturer of Engerix-B vaccine, have both stated that they would be able to remove
thimerosal from their single antigen hepatitis B vaccines and make these new
products available in September 1999, contingent upon FDA approval of their supplemental
product license applications.
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(3)
July 12, 1999
CDC'S "GUIDELINES FOR VACCINATING PREGNANT WOMEN" NOW AVAILABLE ON IAC'S WEBSITE
Do you have questions about vaccinating pregnant women? The Centers for Disease and
Prevention's "Guidelines for Vaccinating Pregnant Women" can now be found on the
Immunization Action Coalition's website. The 15-page document consists of relevant
passages from recommendations made by the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices
(ACIP) and is organized by vaccine. The reference section of the document includes
information about prenatal screening for vaccine-preventable diseases and
vaccinations for women who are breastfeeding.
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(4)
July 12, 1999
IAC MAKES IT EASY TO VISIT STATE HEALTH DEPARTMENT WEBSITES!
Now you can gain access to the Internet sites of most state health departments directly
from the Immunization Action Coalition's (IAC) website! We've tried to link to the states'
immunization program sites whenever possible.
Click here to view IAC's list of state websites. http://www.immunize.org/states/index.htm
If your state immunization program's web address is different from the one on IAC's list,
please let us know. Contact Elyse Chadwick, program assistant, at elyse@immunize.org or
click here: mailto:elyse@immunize.org |
