Issue 1375: July 18, 2018


TOP STORIES


OFFICIAL RELEASES AND ANNOUNCEMENTS


FEATURED RESOURCES


JOURNAL ARTICLES AND NEWSLETTERS


EDUCATION AND TRAINING

 
CONFERENCES AND MEETINGS

 


TOP STORIES


Democratic Republic of the Congo government declares national public health emergency as rare strain of polio spreads in three regions; 29 children paralyzed

The World Health Organization (WHO) issued a disease outbreak news release on July 10 regarding three vaccine-derived poliovirus type 2 (cVDPV2) outbreaks in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. So far 29 children have been paralyzed, according to an article published in the July 2 issue of the journal Science. 

The first two paragraphs of the WHO news release are reprinted below.

In the Democratic Republic of the Congo, three different circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus type 2 (cVDPV2) outbreaks have been detected in acute flaccid paralysis (AFP) cases. In February 2018, the government declared cVDPV2 to be a national public health emergency.

The cVDPV2 strain initially detected and reported in June 2017 from Haut Lomami Province spread in late 2017 and early 2018 to Tanganyika and Haut Katanga provinces, respectively. The same virus was confirmed in Ituri Province in June 2018, close to the border with Uganda, from an AFP case with onset of paralysis on 5 May 2018. Investigations are ongoing. WHO assessed the overall public health risk at the national level to be very high and the risk of international spread to be high due to the proximity of the recent detection of the AFP case in Ituri which is close to an international border and with known population movement.


Access the entire WHO news release: Circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus type 2 – Democratic Republic of the Congo.
 
Related Links


Reminder: August is National Immunization Awareness Month; 2018 communications toolkit available

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 co-sponsored by the National Public Health Information Coalition (NPHIC) and CDC.

The 2018 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. The website also includes a place for you to share your NIAM activities and view what others are doing for NIAM, using the hashtag #NIAM18.



The observance features a different group each week of August: 

  • August 5–11—Pregnant Women: Protect yourself and pass protection on to your baby 
  • August 12–18—Babies and Young Children: A healthy start begins with on-time vaccinations
  • August 19–25—Preteens & teens: Ensure a healthy future with vaccines
  • August 26–31—Adults: Vaccines are not just for kids​

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IAC Spotlight! IAC’s “What’s New” web section provides links to new and recently updated IAC handouts and staff education materials, VISs and their translations, and updated immunize.org web sections

IAC's What's New at IAC web section is a fast way to check out what has been recently added to the immunize.org website. This page lists IAC's new and recently updated free print materials, Vaccine Information Statements (VISs) and translations, and changes to IAC web sections such as "Ask the Experts." All new and updated listings in the What's New at IAC web section are listed by month and are dated to make it easy to see when new resources have been added or changes have been made.

Click on "Immunization News" in the rotating box at the top of the IAC home page to find what's new at IAC, or scroll down to the "Guide to immunize.org" at the bottom of every IAC web page and click on "What's New or Updated at IAC." 

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IAC posts its newest PowerPoint slide set, "Strategies to Increase Enrollment in IAC's Hepatitis B Birth Dose Honor Roll"; available for you to use "as is" or to modify to fit your needs

IAC recently developed and posted its newest slide set, Strategies to Increase Enrollment in IAC's Hepatitis B Birth Dose Honor Roll. This 83-slide set, of special interest to perinatal hepatitis B coordinators, explains how hospital birthing units can qualify and apply for IAC's hepatitis B birth dose honor roll. The slide set also presents links to IAC resources on the hepatitis B birth dose as well as suggestions for how to respond to possible resistance to the birth dose from hospital administrators, the infants' medical providers, nursing staff, and parents.
 
To obtain this PowerPoint slide set, go to IAC's PowerPoint Slide Sets web page. Just below the presentation's title and description, click on "Request the PowerPoint slide set" and IAC will email the PowerPoint presentation to you. It's also available on the main page of IAC's Give Birth to the End of Hep B web section at www.immunize.org/protect-newborns.

Once you have received the presentation, you can edit and use it as you see fit.

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OFFICIAL RELEASES AND ANNOUNCEMENTS


American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists issues "Committee Opinion" on maternal immunization

The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) Immunization, Infectious Disease, and Public Health Preparedness Expert Work Group issued an ACOG Committee Opinion in June with its position and recommendations regarding maternal immunization. The abstract is reprinted below.

Immunization is an essential part of care for adults, including pregnant women. Influenza vaccination for pregnant women is especially important because pregnant women who contract influenza are at greater risk of maternal morbidity and mortality in addition to fetal morbidity, including congenital anomalies, spontaneous abortion, preterm birth, and low birth weight. Other vaccines provide maternal protection from severe morbidity related to specific pathogens such as pneumococcus, meningococcus, and hepatitis for at-risk pregnant women. Obstetrician–gynecologists and other obstetric care providers should routinely assess their pregnant patients’ vaccination status. Based on this assessment they should recommend and, when possible, administer needed vaccines to their pregnant patients. There is no evidence of adverse fetal effects from vaccinating pregnant women with inactivated virus, bacterial vaccines, or toxoids, and a growing body of data demonstrate the safety of such use. Women who are or will be pregnant during influenza season should receive an annual influenza vaccine. All pregnant women should receive a tetanus toxoid, reduced diphtheria toxoid, and acellular pertussis (Tdap) vaccine during each pregnancy, as early in the 27–36-weeks-of-gestation window as possible.

Access the complete committee opinion on the ACOG website.

Access the complete committee opinion in PDF format.

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Errata for Red Book's 2018 edition posted by AAP on Red Book Online

In a July 13 Red Book Online Special Alert, the American Academy of Pediatrics posted two new errata for the Red Book's 2018 edition, including one concerning hepatitis A prophylaxis. It is reprinted below.

Pages 395–399: In the Control Measures section of the Hepatitis A chapter, the IGIM dose used as pre- or post-exposure prophylaxis for hepatitis A should be changed from 0.02 mL/kg and 0.06 mL/kg (depending on duration of protection required) to 0.1 mL/kg and 0.2 mL/kg (depending on duration of protection required).

View the full text of the two errata in PDF format. 

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FEATURED RESOURCES


Still available! IAC's sturdy laminated versions of the 2018 U.S. child/teen immunization schedule and the 2018 U.S. adult immunization schedule—order a supply for your healthcare setting today!

IAC's laminated versions of the 2018 U.S. child/teen immunization schedule and the 2018 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".

Adult Laminated Immunization Schedules

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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IAC's 142-page book, Vaccinating Adults: A Step-by-Step Guide, describes how to implement adult vaccination services in your healthcare setting and provides a review for staff who already vaccinate adults; IAC Guide available for free download

In late 2017, the Immunization Action Coalition (IAC) announced the publication of its new book, Vaccinating Adults: A Step-by-Step Guide (Guide).



This completely updated guide on adult immunization (originally published in 2004) provides easy-to-use, practical information covering important “how-to” activities to help providers enhance their existing adult immunization services or introduce them into any clinical setting, including:

  • setting up for vaccination services,
  • storing and handling vaccines,
  • deciding which people should receive which vaccines,
  • administering vaccines,
  • documenting vaccinations (including legal issues), and
  • understanding financial considerations and billing information.

In addition, the Guide is filled with hundreds of web addresses and references to help providers stay up to date on the latest immunization information, both now and in the future.

The entire Guide is available to download/print free of charge at www.immunize.org/guide. The downloaded version is suitable for double-sided printing. Options are available online to download the entire book or selected chapters. The development of the Guide was supported by the National Vaccine Program Office (NVPO) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Expert staff from both agencies also provided early technical review of the content.

The Guide is a uniquely valuable resource to assist providers in increasing adult immunization rates. Be sure to get a copy today!

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JOURNAL ARTICLES AND NEWSLETTERS


July's Parents PACK newsletter from the Vaccine Education Center includes articles on summertime worries before vaccines and the importance of finding science-based information on health issues

Parents PACK (Possessing, Accessing, and Communicating Knowledge about vaccines) from the Vaccine Education Center (VEC) at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia offers an electronic newsletter for parents. The July issue includes the following articles:

  • "Flashback: Parenting and summer in the 1950s"
  • "'Patriotic tetanus' also a historical summertime worry"
  • "Dr. Offit talks on 'Misinformation and 'Bad Advice' on NPR podcast"
  • "Measles vaccine recommended for World Cup attendees"

Healthcare providers should check out the issue and encourage parents to subscribe to the free Parents PACK newsletter.

To find more information about Parents Pack resources, visit the Parents PACK web page. 

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EDUCATION AND TRAINING


American Immunization Registry Association webinar introduces the functionality and content of new AIRA website on July 19

The American Immunization Registration Association (AIRA) is hosting a webinar titled Introduction to the AIRA Website on Thursday, July 19, at 1:00 (ET).  Hosted by the AIRA steering committee, this webinar will introduce the functionality and content of the recently launched AIRA website.

Register for the webinar.

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CDC webinar series on "The Pink Book" chapter topics continues July 25 with “DTaP/Tdap”; register now for series running through September 26

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 weekly 1-hour webinars that started June 6 and will run through September 26. The webinar series provides an overview of vaccines and the diseases they prevent, general recommendations for vaccines, vaccination principles, and immunization strategies for providers.
 
The July 25 webinar will cover "DTap/Tdap" and include a live Q&A session. Recordings of sessions will be available online within 2 weeks after each webinar. All sessions begin at 12:00 p.m. (ET). Continuing education will be available for each event.

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

All the sections of "The Pink Book" (i.e., chapters, appendices, 2017 supplement) are available to download at no charge at www.cdc.gov/vaccines/pubs/pinkbook/index.html.

You can also order a soft-cover copy of this book from the Public Health Foundation for $40 plus shipping and handling.



2018 Got Your Shots? Immunization Conference to be held in Minneapolis, November 1–2; registration open

The 2018 Got Your Shots? Immunization Conference, sponsored by the Minnesota Department of Health, will be held November 1–2 in Minneapolis. This year’s theme is “Close the gap: Improving immunization coverage rates through best practices.” The conference is intended for nurses, physicians, medical assistants, pharmacists, local public health professionals, community vaccinators, and anyone else who works with immunizations. Continuing education units will be available.

View additional information regarding the conference as well as the conference agenda.

To register, scroll down to the bottom of the registration information page and click on "Begin."

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About IAC Express
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IAC Express is supported in part by Grant No. 6NH23IP922550 from the National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, CDC. Its contents are solely the responsibility of IAC and do not necessarily represent the official views of CDC. IAC Express is also supported by educational grants from the following companies: AstraZeneca, Inc.; Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp.; Pfizer, Inc.; and Sanofi Pasteur.

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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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