Issue 1257: July 27, 2016

Ask the Experts
Ask the Experts—Question of the Week: If my patient is taking Tamiflu (oseltamivir), can she receive zoster vaccine?…read more


TOP STORIES


IAC HANDOUTS


FEATURED RESOURCES


EDUCATION AND TRAINING


CONFERENCES AND MEETINGS



TOP STORIES


CDC releases final versions of hepatitis A, hepatitis B, and polio Vaccine Information Statements

On July 20, CDC released final versions of the hepatitis A, hepatitis B, and polio Vaccine Information Statements (VISs). These VISs were updated from “interim” to “final” versions. CDC encourages providers to begin using these VISs immediately; however, stocks of the previous editions may be used until gone.

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Last chance to register! On July 28, Dr. William Atkinson will present "Adolescent Immunization: Where We Are Now and How We Can Do Better" webinar

Since the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) made its first routine adolescent immunization recommendation for tetanus/acellular pertussis/diphtheria (Tdap) vaccine in 2005, several other important vaccines have been added to the ACIP’s recommended immunization schedule for adolescents. Now Tdap, meningococcal ACWY, meningococcal B (a “category B” recommendation, meaning it is recommended, but with individual clinical decision making), human papillomavirus (HPV), and influenza vaccines are all recommended for this age group. Although data from the 2014 National Immunization Survey–Teen (NIS-Teen) indicate vaccine coverage for adolescents is relatively high for the single recommended dose of Tdap, vaccines that require more than one dose to complete the series remain far below desired coverage levels.

To address this problem, William Atkinson, MD, MPH, IAC's associate director for immunization education, will present a one-hour webinar on adolescent immunization on July 28 at 12:00 p.m. (ET). During his presentation, Dr. Atkinson will review the recommendations for each adolescent vaccine, provide strategies to improve coverage rates in this population, and list available resources to assist immunization providers in their efforts to improve coverage rates.

Register for the webinar here.

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IAC updates its guidebook Hepatitis B: What Hospitals Need to Do to Protect Newborns

In July 2013, the Immunization Action Coalition (IAC) launched a major initiative urging the nation’s hospitals to Give birth to the end of Hep B. As part of this project, IAC developed a comprehensive guidebook for helping hospitals and birthing centers establish, implement, and optimize their birth dose policies. Hepatitis B: What Hospitals Need to Do to Protect Newborns was reviewed by the American Academy of Family Physicians, American Academy of Pediatrics, American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, and CDC, and is a complete policy and best practices guide for newborn hepatitis B immunization.

Two sections of Chapter 3 were revised to bring up to date the information about the timing of postvaccination testing for high-risk infants whose mothers are HBsAg positive. (CDC now recommends testing at 9–12 months of age.) The two sections are the following:

You can download the entire book or individual chapters from the table of contents web page.

You can also order a soft-cover, spiral-bound, color copy of this updated 84-page resource for $20 plus shipping. Discounts are available for those ordering in bulk. 

Check out the Shop IAC: Hepatitis B: What Hospitals Need to Do to Protect Newborns page on IAC's website for more information on ordering this valuable resource.

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National Immunization Awareness Month kicks off next week with a focus on adult immunization!

As part of the observance of National Immunization Awareness Month (NIAM), the importance of vaccinating a specific population is highlighted each week. The first week, August 1–7, focuses on adult immunization. The adult immunization portion of the communications toolkit, as well as other resources, are available on the NPHIC website.

CDC and NPHIC encourage you to join them in the following activities during the first week of NIAM:

  1. Join the conversation on social media to promote adult immunization and NIAM. Show your support for NIAM by including the hashtag #NIAM16 in your social media messages. CDC will also be using #VaxWithMe in their public outreach to bring a personal, empowering, and impactful aspect to vaccine messages. CDC encourages others to use both hashtags when character count allows, targeting the public with #VaxWithMe and partners with #NIAM16, to show support and amplify the conversation. When character count is limited, CDC encourages use of the hashtag that’s more appropriate for your audience and communication goals.
  2. Remind adults with chronic health conditions to get vaccinated. For more information on specific chronic health conditions and vaccination, click the links below. These websites are also available in Spanish.
  3. Distribute factsheets, flyers, and posters in healthcare and community settings. CDC has developed a series of factsheets to educate healthcare professionals on the Standards for Adult Immunization. CDC also has a series of factsheets to educate adult patients on the vaccines recommended for them. All resources are available to download, and some materials can be ordered free of charge.
  4. Share radio PSAs through your organization and encourage local radio stations, medical offices, grocery stores, and pharmacies to play them.
  5. Update your materials with the latest information provided in the NIAM Communication Toolkit or use the key messages to develop your own materials. You can also get eye-catching NIAM logos and banners for each weekly theme to highlight your participation in NIAM through your social media profiles.
  6. Place ready-to-publish articles in your newsletter, on your website, or in local news outlets.
  7. Include links to CDC’s Adult Vaccination website on your own website, in your materials, or on your social media platforms. You may also want to link to CDC’s Adult Vaccination Resources website.
  8. Support the #VaxWithMe Thunderclap campaign on Facebook, Twitter, or Tumblr. Thunderclap amplifies social media messages through coordinated distribution. The #VaxWithMe Thunderclap will take place August 17.
  9. Syndicate content from CDC’s website on adult immunization. Learn how to syndicate content by visiting the Public Health Media Library.

We encourage you to see what other organizations have planned for NIAM and share your plans for NIAM by completing this online form.

The remaining weekly themes for 2016 are: pregnant women (August 8–14), babies and children (August 15–21), and preteens and teens (August 22–28).

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2016 National Immunization Awareness Month communication toolkit launched this week

Every year in August, National Immunization Awareness Month (NIAM) provides an opportunity to raise awareness of the importance of immunization and the need for improving national vaccination coverage levels. NIAM is sponsored by the National Public Health Information Coalition (NPHIC). The 2016 edition of the communications toolkit, put out by NPHIC in collaboration with CDC, contains key messages, vaccine information, sample news releases and articles, sample social media messages, links to web resources from CDC and other organizations, and logos, web banners, posters, and graphics to use with social media. It also includes a media outreach toolkit and a place for you to share your NIAM activities and view what others are doing for NIAM, using the hashtag #NIAM16.

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IAC Spotlight! IAC’s ACIP recommendations web section makes guidance available in chronological order as well as alphabetically by vaccine name

IAC maintains a listing of links to vaccine recommendations from the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices at www.immunize.org/acip. The web page is searchable chronologically by publication date or alphabetically by vaccine name. It includes a historical archive of recommendations dating back to 1991.

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Share your personal story about immunization with federal and state legislators

In preparation for National Immunization Awareness Month, Every Child by Two, the Immunization Action Coalition, Nurses Who Vaccinate, Voices for Vaccines, and the California Immunization Coalition are collecting testimonials to share with federal and state legislators about the power of vaccines.

We all have a personal connection with vaccines. Perhaps it's because you or your child have experienced a vaccine-preventable disease, or you have lost a family member. Many of us have loved ones who are being treated for cancer or other disorders that weaken the immune system, and thus depend on the herd immunity offered by a well-vaccinated community. Maybe your story is just knowing that the vaccine given to your child, pregnant sister, or parent could potentially save your loved ones.

Please share your story and join the millions of Americans who want their legislators to know that vaccines keep everyone safe from deadly vaccine-preventable diseases.

Share your story here.

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July 28 is World Hepatitis Day; CDC publishes related announcement in MMWR

July 28, is World Hepatitis Day. In the July 22 issue of MMWR (page 705), CDC published World Hepatitis Day—July 28, 2016. The first paragraph is reprinted below.

World Hepatitis Day, recognized on July 28, was established by the World Health Organization (WHO) to raise awareness and promote understanding of viral hepatitis, the seventh leading cause of death worldwide. Together, hepatitis B and hepatitis C are responsible for most of the 1.4 million annual deaths attributed to viral hepatitis. In April 2016, the 69th World Health Assembly adopted a Global Viral Hepatitis Strategy that aims to eliminate hepatitis B and hepatitis C as public health threats by 2030. The strategy includes prevention and treatment targets that, when met, will save millions of lives.

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Free bulk quantities of pneumococcal and zoster vaccination laminated pocket guides available from IAC for distribution within your organization and at conferences

Bulk quantities of two recently updated laminated pocket guides for use by healthcare professionals are yours free for the ordering! The guides address issues related to the administration of (1) pneumococcal conjugate (PCV13) and polysaccharide (PPSV23) vaccines and (2) zoster vaccine.

These concise pocket guides provide front-line healthcare personnel with quick reference information highlighting:

  • Indications and contraindications for each vaccine
  • Targeted populations to be vaccinated
  • Details on how to administer the vaccines
  • Talking points for discussions with patients

Each guide is laminated for durability, and the compact size (3¾" x 6¾") is designed to fit in a shirt or lab coat pocket.

The pocket guides are available at no cost to your organization. However, to assist us in controlling our mailing costs, we ask that you order in bulk (with a minimum order of 25) and that you manage the distribution of the guides (e.g., through internal networks, educational forums, member meetings, mass mailings) to your constituents.

To view the pocket guides and place your order, please visit www.immunize.org/pocketguides or click on either image below. These cards are for healthcare professional use only, not for distribution to patients.

Laminated Child and Teen Laminated Schedule


Laminated Child and Teen Laminated Schedule

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IAC HANDOUTS


IAC updates its staff education materials: "Current Dates of Vaccine Information Statements" and "It's Federal Law! You must give your patients current Vaccine Information Statements"

IAC recently revised Current Dates of Vaccine Information Statements as well as It's Federal Law! You must give your patients current Vaccine Information Statements to reflect the July 20, 2016 date of the recently updated hepatitis A, hepatitis B, and polio VISs.

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IAC's Handouts for Patients & 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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FEATURED RESOURCES


The American Cancer Society updates its guidelines for HPV vaccination; get continuing education credit for reading about these new guidelines

The American Cancer Society (ACS) recently published revised guidelines for HPV vaccination in an article titled Human papillomavirus vaccination guideline update: American Cancer Society guideline endorsement in CA: A Cancer Journal for Clinicians, published online on July 19. The abstract is reprinted below.

The American Cancer Society (ACS) reviewed and updated its guideline on human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination based on a methodologic and content review of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) HPV vaccination recommendations. A literature review was performed to supplement the evidence considered by the ACIP and to address new vaccine formulations and recommendations as well as new data on population outcomes since publication of the 2007 ACS guideline. The ACS Guideline Development Group determined that the evidence supports ACS endorsement of the ACIP recommendations, with one qualifying statement related to late vaccination. The ACS recommends vaccination of all children at ages 11 and 12 years to protect against HPV infections that lead to several cancers and precancers. Late vaccination for those not vaccinated at the recommended ages should be completed as soon as possible, and individuals should be informed that vaccination may not be effective at older ages.


ACS is offering free CME/CNE credit for answering questions related to the article.

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CDC offers resources to help employers increase influenza vaccination

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention offers targeted resources for a variety of workplaces to help increase influenza vaccination rates.

Each page includes general information as well as targeted resources for each population.

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California's EZIZ program posts new meningococcal vaccine timing graphic

EZIZ, the online learning and resource website for California's Vaccines for Children (VFC) program, released a new resource titled Meningococcal Vaccine Timing covering the timing of administering both MenACWY and MenB vaccines.

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Download Dr. Gary Marshall's The Vaccine Handbook: A Practical Guide for Clinicians (“The Purple Book") as a new app for iOS devices or purchase as a print book

The Vaccine Handbook: A Practical Guide for Clinicians (“The Purple Book,” 2015) is a comprehensive source of practical, up-to-date information for vaccine providers and educators. Its author, Gary S. Marshall, MD, has drawn together the latest vaccine science and guidance into a concise, user-friendly, practical resource for the private office, public health clinic, academic medical center, and hospital. This book is now available as a new app for iOS devices.

Information about the iOS app version of The Vaccine Handbook: A Practical Guide for Clinicians

The Vaccine Handbook App contains the 5th edition of the book, updated with the latest immunization schedules and recommendations. The app enhances the utility of an already valuable print resource by including functions like keyword search, internal links, bookmarking, quick access to schedules and tables, hyperlinks to external sources, and the ability for real-time updates. A resources section provides ready access to authoritative immunization-related websites. Available through a collaboration between the publisher and Sanofi Pasteur, registration as well as reporting under Open Payments is required. (Offer void in Minnesota.) Click on the image below to visit the relevant App Store page to download this resource today.
Download new app!
Information about the print version of The Vaccine Handbook: A Practical Guide for Clinicians

The fifth edition of this valuable guide (560 pages) is available on IAC's website at www.immunize.org/vaccine-handbook. The price of the handbook is $29.95 each, plus shipping charges. Discount pricing is available for more than 10 copies. Order copies for your staff or for distribution at an upcoming conference.

Quantity Discount Pricing

  • 1–10 books: no discount + shipping
  • 11–50 books: 5% + shipping
  • 51–100 books: 10% + shipping
  • 101–500 books: 15% + shipping
  • 501–1000 books: 20% + shipping

For quotes on larger quantities, email admininfo@immunize.org.

Order your copy today! Click on the image below to visit the "Shop IAC: The Vaccine Handbook" web page.
Order your copy of The Vaccine Handbook today!
About the Author
Gary Marshall, MD, 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 the areas of vaccine research, advocacy, and education.

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Still available! IAC's sturdy laminated versions of the 2016 U.S. child/teen immunization schedule and the 2016 U.S. adult immunization schedule—order a supply for your healthcare setting today!


IAC's laminated versions of the 2016 U.S. child/teen immunization schedule and the 2016 U.S. adult immunization schedule are covered with a tough, washable coating; they will stand up to a year's worth of use in every area of your healthcare setting where immunizations are given. Both schedules are eight pages (i.e., four double-sided pages) and are folded to measure 8.5" x 11".

Laminated Child and Teen Laminated Schedule

Adult Laminated Immunization Schedules

Laminated schedules are printed in color for easy reading, come complete with essential tables and footnotes, and include contraindications and precautions—a feature that will help you make an on-the-spot determination about the safety of vaccinating patients of any age.

PRICING
1–4 copies: $7.50 each
5–19 copies: $5.50 each
20–99 copies: $4.50 each
100–499 copies: $4.00 each
500–999 copies: $3.50 each

For quotes on customizing or placing orders for 1,000 copies or more, call (651) 647-9009 or email admininfo@immunize.org.

You can access specific information on both schedules, view images of both, order online, or download an order form at the Shop IAC: Laminated Schedules web page.


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EDUCATION AND TRAINING


Weekly CDC webinar series on "The Pink Book" chapter topics continues through September 21; register now

CDC is presenting a 15-part webinar series to provide a chapter-by-chapter overview of the 13th edition of Epidemiology and Prevention of Vaccine-Preventable Diseases (also known as "The Pink Book"). This is a live series of one-hour webinars that started June 1. Recordings of sessions will be available online after each webinar. All sessions begin at 12:00 p.m. (ET). Information about receiving continuing education credit will be available for each session after it is archived. CE credit may be available for up to a year after the date it was live.

Registration and more information is available on CDC's Pink Book Webinar Series web page.

Download Epidemiology and Prevention of Vaccine-Preventable Diseases

Order Epidemiology and Prevention of Vaccine-Preventable Diseases

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CONFERENCES AND MEETINGS


Presentation slides from June ACIP meeting are now available; next meeting scheduled for October 19–20

ACIP recently posted the presentation slides from the ACIP meeting held on June 22–23.

ACIP will hold its next meeting on October 19–20 in Atlanta. To attend the meeting, ACIP attendees (participants and visitors) must register online. The registration deadline for non-U.S. citizens is September 28; for U.S. citizens, it's October 10. Registration is not required to watch the live webcast of the meeting.

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ASK THE EXPERTS

Question of the Week

If my patient is taking Tamiflu (oseltamivir), can she receive zoster vaccine?

Yes. Although oseltamivir is an antiviral drug, it is only effective against influenza A and B viruses. Zoster vaccine contains varicella zoster virus which is not affected by oseltamivir.


About IAC's Question of the Week

Each week, IAC Express highlights a new, topical, or important-to-reiterate Q&A. This feature is a cooperative venture between IAC and CDC. William L. Atkinson, MD, MPH, IAC's associate director for immunization education, chooses a new Q&A to feature every week from a set of Q&As prepared by experts at CDC’s National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases.

We hope you enjoy this new feature and find it helpful when dealing with difficult real-life scenarios in your vaccination practice. Please encourage your healthcare professional colleagues to sign up to receive IAC Express at www.immunize.org/subscribe.

If you have a question for the CDC immunization experts, you can email them directly at nipinfo@cdc.gov. There is no charge for this service.

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About IZ Express

IZ Express is supported in part by Grant No. 1NH23IP922654 from CDC’s National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases. Its contents are solely the responsibility of Immunize.org and do not necessarily represent the official views of CDC.

IZ Express Disclaimer
ISSN 2771-8085

Editorial Information

  • Editor-in-Chief
    Kelly L. Moore, MD, MPH
  • Managing Editor
    John D. Grabenstein, RPh, PhD
  • Associate Editor
    Sharon G. Humiston, MD, MPH
  • Writer/Publication Coordinator
    Taryn Chapman, MS
    Courtnay Londo, MA
  • Style and Copy Editor
    Marian Deegan, JD
  • Web Edition Managers
    Arkady Shakhnovich
    Jermaine Royes
  • Contributing Writer
    Laurel H. Wood, MPA
  • Technical Reviewer
    Kayla Ohlde

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