| Issue 987: April 3, 2012 TOP STORIES
FEATURED RESOURCES JOURNAL ARTICLES AND NEWSLETTERS EDUCATION AND TRAINING TOP STORIES Spotlight on immunize.org: New! "Cocooning" web section Are you looking for information on cocooning (a strategy to prevent pertussis transmission to infants by ensuring close contacts of infants have received Tdap vaccination)? Start here! IAC’s new web section on “Cocooning” features links to a new website dedicated to pertussis prevention through cocooning from the Texas Department of State Health Services. You’ll also find other helpful resources regarding cocooning such as ACIP recommendations, handbook for providers, videos, journal articles, patient handouts, and much more. You can access the new “Cocooning” web section from the index at the bottom of IAC’s home page called “Guide to immunize.org” or by using IAC’s search engine. Back to top IAC Executive Director Dr. Deborah L. Wexler urges adult vaccination in TV interview On March 27, IAC Executive Director Deborah L. Wexler, MD, promoted adult vaccination during an interview that aired on KARE 11 TV, NBC's affiliate in Minneapolis-St. Paul. Dr. Wexler stated that most adults are woefully behind in getting recommended vaccines. She believes that adults need to take responsibility for finding out which vaccines they need and for getting them. She encourages adults to find out more about adult vaccination from their doctors and from online resources. For a succinct summary of which vaccines are recommended for adults, heathcare professionals and patients can access the IAC handout Vaccinations for Adults—You’re NEVER too old to get immunized! Back to top FDA approves extended period for administering VariZIG for postexposure prophylaxis of varicella CDC published FDA Approval of an Extended Period for Administering VariZIG for Postexposure Prophylaxis of Varicella in the March 30 issue of MMWR (page 212). A press summary of the article is reprinted below. In May 2011, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved an extended period for administering VariZIG. VariZIG is a product recommended for people who do not have immunity to varicella (chickenpox), who are at high risk for severe chickenpox or complications, and who are ineligible to receive the chickenpox vaccine to protect them from getting chickenpox or to attenuate the severity of disease after being exposed to the virus that causes chickenpox. People at high risk for severe chickenpox are those with compromised immune systems, premature babies, or pregnant women. VariZIG is the only product of its kind available for use in the United States. The period after exposure to the chickenpox virus, during which a patient may receive VariZIG, is now 10 days; previously, it was 96 hours (4 days). As before, VariZIG should still be administered as soon as possible after exposure to the disease. Back to top FEATURED RESOURCES CDC, IAC, ANA, and NNINA schedule three netconferences for nurses and other immunization providers CDC, along with IAC, the American Nurses Association (ANA), and the National Network of Immunization Nurses and Associates (NNINA) have collaborated on a series of three netconferences for nurses and other immunization providers. The netconferences are structured to allow participants to view a pretaped webcast several days before joining the live call-in seminar. Attendance at the live sessions is limited to the first 1,000 people who dial in. Following are the webinar topics and schedule:
JOURNAL ARTICLES AND NEWSLETTERS CDC publishes summary of 2008 surveillance of prevalence of autism spectrum disorders On March 30, CDC published a surveillance summary titled Prevalence of Autism Spectrum Disorders—Autism and Developmental Disabilities Monitoring Network, 14 Sites, United States, 2008. The conclusion is reprinted below. Conclusion Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASDs) continue to be an important public health concern. The findings provided in this report confirm that prevalence estimates of ASD continue to increase in the majority of Autism and Developmental Disabilities Monitoring (ADDM) Network communities, and ongoing public health surveillance is needed to quantify and understand these changes over time. Further work is needed to evaluate multiple factors affecting ASD prevalence over time. ADDM Network investigators continue to explore these factors in multiple ways, with a focus on understanding disparities in the identification of ASDs among certain subgroups and evaluating temporal changes in the prevalence of ASDs. CDC also is engaged with other federal, state, and private partners in a coordinated response to identify risk factors for ASDs and meet the needs of persons with ASDs and their families. Additional information is available at http://www.cdc.gov/autism. Related Link CDC's press release: CDC estimates 1 in 88 children in United States has been identified as having an autism spectrum disorder: CDC data help communities better serve these children Back to top EDUCATION AND TRAINING Epidemiology & Prevention of Vaccine-Preventable Diseases course planned for May 9–10 in Fredericksburg, VA Presented by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, this live two-day course provides a comprehensive review of immunizations, and vaccine-preventable diseases and their respective vaccines. Physicians, nurses, pharmacists, medical assistants, students, and other health professionals will learn the most up-to-date immunization information from ACIP. Continuing education credits are available. For more information or to register, visit Pink Book Course. Back to top  |
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ISSN 2771-8085
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ISSN 2771-8085
Editorial Information
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Editor-in-ChiefKelly L. Moore, MD, MPH
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Managing EditorJohn D. Grabenstein, RPh, PhD
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Associate EditorSharon G. Humiston, MD, MPH
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Writer/Publication CoordinatorTaryn Chapman, MS
Courtnay Londo, MA -
Style and Copy EditorMarian Deegan, JD
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Web Edition ManagersArkady Shakhnovich
Jermaine Royes -
Contributing WriterLaurel H. Wood, MPA
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Technical ReviewerKayla Ohlde