| Issue 991: May 1, 2012 TOP STORIES
VACCINE INFORMATION STATEMENTS FEATURED RESOURCES
CONFERENCES AND MEETINGS
TOP STORIES Spotlight on immunize.org: IAC promotes The Vaccine Handbook The Immunization Action Coalition (IAC) announces the launch of a major effort to promote the new fourth edition of The Vaccine Handbook: A Practical Guide for Clinicians (“The Purple Book”; 2012, 560 pages) by Gary S. Marshall, MD. IAC Executive Director Deborah Wexler, MD, has written the foreword for the new edition. IAC will promote the handbook on an ongoing basis in its electronic publications and on IAC’s website, www.immunize.org. The Vaccine Handbook is considered a vital source of practical, up-to-date information for vaccine providers and educators. Its driving purpose is to draw together the latest vaccine science and guidance into a concise, user-friendly, practical resource that can be used in either the classroom or the clinical setting. Though the handbook is replete with scientific background and references, its language is accessible. The handbook contains specific chapters on each vaccine licensed in the United States and provides complete, authoritative recommendations. It discusses how vaccines are developed, tested, and licensed; how vaccine policy is made; what constitutes the vaccine safety net; vaccine providers' legal obligations; billing procedures; and office logistics. Author Dr. Gary Marshall is professor of pediatrics at the University of Louisville School of Medicine in Kentucky, where he serves as chief of the Division of Pediatric Infectious Diseases and director of the Pediatric Clinical Trials Unit. In addition to being a busy clinician, he is nationally known for his work in vaccine research, advocacy, and education. Dr. Wexler is enthusiastic about the handbook and is delighted to join in its promotion. “During more than 20 years in the field of immunization education, I have not seen a book that is so brimming with state-of-the-science vaccine information,” she states. "This book belongs in the hands of every medical student, physician-in-training, doctor, nursing student, and nurse who provides vaccines to patients.” For more information about the handbook, visit www.immunize.org/vaccine-handbook. To order a copy, visit the website of the publisher, Professional Communications, Inc., at www.pcibooks.com/books/view/49 or call 800-337-9838. Back to top CDC website updated with information on the shortage of Pentacel and Daptacel vaccines On April 25, CDC updated its Current Vaccine Shortages & Delays web section with the following information: Availability of Sanofi Pasteur’s Pentacel and DAPTACEL vaccines is currently reduced and it is anticipated that this will continue throughout the summer of 2012. Sanofi Pasteur’s single antigen inactivated polio and Hib vaccines are in sufficient supply to address historic usage of Pentacel as well as the single antigen vaccines. Regarding DTaP, production and supply of GSK’s single antigen and combination vaccines is currently sufficient to address anticipated supply gaps for DTaP-containing products. Related Link For background information, see sanofi pasteur's Dear Health Care Provider letter Back to top United Nations Foundation launches Shot@Life campaign to increase childhood vaccination worldwide On April 26, in conjunction with World Immunization Week, the United Nations Foundation launched its U.S. Shot@Life campaign by scheduling 90 events across the nation. Held in Atlanta, the kick-off event featured former First Lady Rosalynn Carter, former Atlanta Mayor and UN Ambassador Andrew Young, and NCIRD Director Anne Schuchat. The campaign aims to build awareness, raise funds, and advocate for the millions of children around the world who do not have access to life-saving vaccines. Related Links
CDC publishes report on severe coinfection with influenza A(H3N2) virus and staphylococcus aureus CDC published Severe Coinfection with Seasonal Influenza A (H3N2) and Staphylococcus aureus—Maryland, February-March 2012 in the April 27 issue of MMWR (pages 289–291). The first paragraph is reprinted below. On March 5, 2012, the Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DHMH) and the Calvert County Health Department were notified of three deaths following respiratory illness among members of a Maryland family. One family member (patient A) experienced upper-respiratory symptoms and died unexpectedly at home. Two others (patients B and C) sought medical care for fever, shortness of breath, and cough productive of bloody sputum and died during their hospitalizations. All three family members had confirmed infection with seasonal influenza A (H3N2) virus. Patients B and C had confirmed coinfection with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), which manifested in both patients as MRSA pneumonia and bacteremia. DHMH and the Calvert County Health Department, in collaboration with the District of Columbia Department of Health, local hospitals, and CDC, conducted an investigation to determine the cause of the illnesses and identify additional related cases. Three additional family members with influenza were identified, two of whom were confirmed to have influenza A (H3N2) and required hospitalization, but neither was coinfected with MRSA, and both recovered. Influenza vaccination remains the best method for preventing complications from influenza; when influenza infection is suspected, treatment with influenza antiviral agents is recommended in certain cases. In addition, when high clinical suspicion for serious S. aureus coinfection exists, empiric coverage with antibiotics, including those with activity against methicillin-resistant strains, should be instituted. Back to top IAC updates online Ask the Experts Q&A section on HPV vaccine and also an HPV patient-education print handout With input from vaccine experts at CDC, IAC recently updated the human papillomavirus (HPV) section of Ask the Experts. To access Ask the Experts sections on other vaccines and diseases, see the Ask the Experts index page. At the same time, IAC also updated its ready-to-print patient-education handout titled Human Papillomavirus (HPV): Questions and Answers—Information about the disease and vaccines. 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. Back to top VACCINE INFORMATION STATEMENTS CDC releases updated VIS for MMR vaccine; it is the first VIS to include a 2-D barcode On April 20, CDC issued an updated VIS for MMR vaccine. Minor wording changes were made throughout. As always, it is preferable to begin using the new edition immediately, but since there are no major changes, existing stores of the MMR VIS may be used.
This is the first VIS to feature a 2D barcode (located on the back near the edition date). The barcode allows providers with a 2D barcode reader and the appropriate software to scan the VIS name and edition date into an electronic system such as an electronic medical record or Immunization Information System (IIS; formerly known as an immunization registry). Using the barcode is an optional alternative to entering this information manually. Starting April 24, new and updated VISs will contain a 2D barcode. CDC's barcode web page has additional information. Back to top FEATURED RESOURCES American Pharmacists Association publishes second edition of its immunization handbook Permitted by law to administer immunizations in all 50 states, pharmacists are playing an increasingly active role in protecting individuals against vaccine-preventable diseases. To aid pharmacists in this work, the American Pharmacists Association (APhA) recently published the second edition of APhA's Immunization Handbook. The handbook provides numerous guidelines, tips, and resources for building and sustaining a successful immunization practice. Written in a concise and easy-to-look-up format, this handy resource is an essential tool for the busy pharmacist. The author, Lauren B. Angelo, PharmD, MBA, has taught APhA's Pharmacy-Based Immunization Delivery certificate training program to pharmacists across the nation. Back to top 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. Following is a list of resources related to influenza disease and vaccination for healthcare professionals and the public.
EDUCATION AND TRAINING Don't miss the Wednesday, May 2, netconference for nurses on reducing vaccine administration errors CDC, IAC, the American Nurses Association (ANA), and the National Network of Immunization Nurses and Associates (NNINA) have collaborated to create a series of three netconferences developed specifically for nurses, by nurses. The third netconference in the series—Reducing Vaccine Administration Errors—is scheduled for Wednesday, May 2, at 2 PM ET. See the information below for more details. The information presented in the series is of value to anyone who provides immunizations. Presenters include experts from CDC, as well as expert immunization nurses from across the nation who offer practical tips and insights gained from their own experiences delivering vaccines. Each netconference is structured in two parts. First, participants go online at a time of their choosing to view a prerecorded webcast. Second, they can join a live call-in discussion with CDC and other nurse immunization experts. Attendance at the live telephone sessions is limited to the first 1,000 people who dial in. Following are the netconference topics and schedule: Talking with Patients about Vaccines Webcast: available on March 21 (click here to download webcast [69 MB]) Live Call-in Seminar: occurred on April 4 Discussion Guide: Talking with Patients about Vaccines Vaccination of Healthcare Personnel: Educated Decisions, Caring Choices Webcast: available on April 12 (click here to download webcast [279 MB]) Live Call-in Seminar: occurred on April 25 Discussion Guide: Vaccination of Healthcare Personnel: Educated Decisions, Caring Choices Reducing Vaccine Administration Errors Webcast: available online after April 19 (click here to download webcast [57 MB]) Live Call-in Seminar: Wednesday, May 2, at 2 PM ET Discussion Guide: Reducing Vaccine Administration Errors More information is available at these links:
CONFERENCES AND MEETINGS Reminder: National Conference on Immunization and Health Coalitions planned for May 23–25 in New Orleans The 10th National Conference on Immunization and Health Coalitions (NCIHC) will take place in New Orleans on May 23–25. NCIHC is the only conference solely dedicated to collaboration and partnership as a way to improve the health status of communities. It offers skills-building, tools, and practical examples to help local, state, and national organizations build and sustain successful partnerships. Related Links Back to top North Dakota State Immunization Conference planned for June 12–13 in Bismarck, ND The 2012 North Dakota State Immunization Conference will be held in Bismarck on June 12–13. Keynote speakers include CDC's Andrew T. Kroger, MD, MPH, and AMA's Litjen Tan, PhD. 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