IAC Express #1000: June 19, 2012
TOP STORIES
IAC HANDOUTS
OFFICIAL RELEASES AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
FEATURED RESOURCES
EDUCATION AND TRAINING
TOP STORIES
FDA approves Menhibrix, a new combination vaccine for infants from GlaxoSmithKline
On June 14, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Menhibrix [GlaxoSmithKline], a combination vaccine licensed for use in infants and children age 6 weeks through 18 months, for the prevention of invasive disease caused by Neisseria meningitidis serogroups C and Y and Haemophilus influenzae type b. The following is from a press release from FDA.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration today approved Menhibrix, a combination vaccine for infants and children ages 6 weeks through 18 months, for prevention of invasive disease caused by Neisseria meningitidis serogroups C and Y and Haemophilus influenzae type b.
Diseases caused by the bacteria Neisseria meningitidis (meningococcal disease) and Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib disease) can be life-threatening. These bacteria can infect the bloodstream causing sepsis, and the lining that surrounds the brain and spinal cord causing meningitis. In young children, Neisseria meningitidis and Haemophilus influenzae type b are important causes of bacterial meningitis.
Without vaccination, children younger than two years are susceptible to these serious illnesses. Meningococcal and Hib diseases are particularly dangerous because both diseases often progress rapidly and can cause death or serious, long-lasting health consequences such as blindness, mental retardation, or amputations. Early symptoms for both diseases often are difficult to distinguish from other common childhood illnesses.
“With today’s approval of Menhibrix, there is now a combination vaccine that can be used to prevent potentially life-threatening Hib disease and two types of meningococcal disease in children. It is the first meningococcal vaccine that can be given starting as young as six weeks of age,” said Karen Midthun, M.D., director of the FDA’s Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research…
Menhibrix is given as a four-dose series at 2, 4, 6 and 12 through 15 months of age. The first dose may be given as early as 6 weeks of age. The fourth dose may be given as late as 18 months of age.
Menhibrix is manufactured by GlaxoSmithKline Biologicals, based in Rixensart, Belgium.
Read the complete FDA press announcement about this new combination vaccine.
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ECBT offers resources for vaccine advocates
Every Child By Two (ECBT) has made two webinars and accompanying guides available online. Both are valuable resources for members of the public and healthcare professionals who want to advocate for vaccines.
The Vaccines 101 & Media Training webinar is ideal for parent advocates, immunization program managers, coalition members, nonprofit staff, public health communication staff, and others with a desire to improve communications with the media. ECBT's executive director Amy Pisani and PR Firm APCO Worldwide's senior vice president William Pierce present an overview of vaccines and vaccine-preventable diseases, and strategies on how to properly craft vaccine messages, and communicate with the media through print and televised interviews, quotes, letters to the editor, and op-eds.
The Autism 101 for Vaccine Advocates webinar features Alison Singer from the Autism Science Foundation. Alison's presentation incorporates an overview of autism, including the very latest research regarding early diagnosis, interventions, and potential causes. She also reviews the CASE Method, which combines emotional and scientific talking points aimed at swaying parents' emotional responses regarding vaccines and helping them to face the issue more logically.
Complete a short online survey by July 27 after completing either webinar or either guide, and be entered into a random drawing for a $25 Amazon eGift Card.
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Spotlight on immunize.org: News and Information
Looking for up-to-the-minute news and information about vaccines and vaccine-preventable diseases? Look no further. IAC’s News and Information web section helps you stay current on news and activities pertaining to immunization. Information sources include the federal government, professional societies, national and international organizations, and specialized and mainstream media. In addition, the News and Information home page features live feeds from Google News and IAC’s tweets on Twitter.
From the immunize.org home page, you can access it from either the central feature box or the "Guide to immunize.org."
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IAC HANDOUTS
IAC creates new staff education piece of current VIS dates and updates "It's Federal Law! You must give your patients current Vaccine Information Statements (VISs)"
IAC recently created a new handout and revised another.
- IAC developed a new staff education piece titled Current Dates of Vaccine Information Statements (VISs). This piece was developed in response to requests from healthcare professionals who wanted a formatted, ready-to-print table of current VIS dates. It is designed to be cut into 4 copies for convenient posting in your clinic. This piece will be revised every time a new VIS is released.
- IAC updated It's Federal Law! You must give your patients current Vaccine Information Statements (VISs).
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.
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OFFICIAL RELEASES AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
AAP releases 2012 editions of Red Book and Red Book Online
On June 8, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) published Red Book: 2012 Report of the Committee on Infectious Diseases. On June 15, AAP released Red Book Online, an electronic version of the newly revised and updated book. Access to most online content requires a subscription.
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MMWR supplement reports on clinical preventive services among adults, including influenza vaccination
On June 15, CDC published an MMWR Supplement titled Use of Selected Clinical Preventive Services Among Adults—United States, 2007–2010. One section focuses on influenza vaccination coverage of adults in the 2008-09 influenza season.
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FEATURED RESOURCES
CDC offers interactive vaccine schedulers for infants, adolescents, and adults
CDC's website offers 3 vaccine schedulers, one for infants/children, one for adolescents, and a third for adults. These tools can be used by patients, parents, or healthcare professionals to help determine what vaccines are indicated. The infant/child scheduler is online; the adolescent and adult versions require the user to download free software and were designed in close collaboration with the H. Milton Stewart School of Industrial and Systems Engineering at Georgia Tech.
Catch-up Immunization Scheduler (for children age 6 years and younger)
Adolescent Immunization Scheduler (for preteens and teens age 7-18 years)
Adult Immunization Scheduler (for age 19 years and older)
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History of Vaccines website now offers Spanish translations of some sections
Created by the College of Physicians of Philadelphia, the History of Vaccines website includes abundant and varied materials that inform and educate the public about the value of vaccination and the seriousness of the diseases vaccines protect against. Beginning on June 18, the site is offering selected resources in Spanish including all the articles, the four most popular activities (How Vaccines Are Made, Herd Immunity, How Vaccines Are Made, and Types of Vaccines), and a timeline.
The Spanish resources will be accessible from the main site by clicking the Español tab or by going directly to www.historyofvaccines.org/es/content.
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2010 edition of The Forgotten Story includes accounts of the dangers of vaccine-preventable diseases
Behind each person who has contracted a vaccine-preventable disease is the story of a life interrupted, of a family devastated. Vaccine-Preventable Disease: The Forgotten Story portrays families who have suffered the true cost of not vaccinating. Texas Children's Hospital published an updated edition of this resource in 2010 that includes five new stories profiling families who have dealt with the effects of vaccine-preventable diseases.
These beautiful books are an inexpensive ($3.50) and compelling resource to share with vaccine-hesitant parents to help explain the seriousness of vaccine-preventable diseases.
Associated tear-pads are available on pertussis and meningitis. Associated posters are available in English and Spanish on influenza, measles, pertussis, varicella, and HPV. There is also an abbreviated Spanish-language version of the book that includes stories on influenza, pertussis, HPV, and meningococcal meningitis. Information on the updated edition and associated materials is available at the link above.
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GAVI Alliance Progress Report 2011 now available online
The GAVI Alliance Progress Report 2011 is now available as an online version to explore via computer, tablet, or smart phone.
If you would prefer to receive a free copy of the report by post, please fill in this form.
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EDUCATION AND TRAINING
CDC offers one-hour training course on infection control in hemodialysis settings
In an effort to ensure that CDC infection prevention recommendations are implemented in hemodialysis facilities, CDC has created a new continuing education training course for outpatient hemodialysis healthcare workers, including technicians and nurses.
Infection Prevention in Dialysis Settings is a free, 1-hour, self-guided course that provides CNE and CEU credit.
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| Actress Amanda Peet's Vaccine Story: Actress Amanda Peet was inspired to speak out for vaccines based on advice from her scientist brother-in-law. But when her daughter caught whooping cough, the importance of this basic health technology became apparent. That's why she is campaigning to get inexpensive, powerful shots to kids all over the world. Video from The Medicine Show on ForbesVideo. |
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| Issue 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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| Publication Staff |
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| Editor: Deborah L. Wexler, MD |
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| Managing Editor: Dale Thompson, MA |
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| Associate Editor: Teresa Anderson, DDS, MPH |
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| Editorial Assistant: Janelle Tangonan Anderson |
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