IAC Express 2006
Issue number 631: November 20, 2006
 
Contents of this Issue
Select a title to jump to the article.
  1. VIS correction: Typo fixed on dosing schedule of the Spanish-language version of the interim VIS for HPV vaccine
  2. Heads up: CDC needs your help in promoting National Influenza Vaccination Week; CDC issues related health advisory
  3. Special issue of the National Influenza Vaccine Summit's newsletter encourages providers to promote their influenza vaccination clinics ASAP
  4. November issue of the National Influenza Vaccine Summit's newsletter now available
  5. Updated: Summary of recommendations for child and teen immunization and two other professional-education materials
  6. November issue of CDC's Immunization Works electronic newsletter now available
  7. New: FDA issues safety alert for Tamiflu influenza antiviral; CDC offers related information for providers and the public
  8. New: Tenth edition of the Pink Book now available; order by December 15 for pre-publication discount
  9. Save the date: Epidemiology & Prevention of Vaccine-Preventable Diseases broadcast planned for January/February 2007
  10. Web-on-demand and DVD versions of the Immunization Update 2006 broadcast now available for self-study
  11. Tuesday's NOVA program to feature recent research on the 1918 influenza virus
  12. New: HHS releases third part of its Pandemic Planning Update
 
Abbreviations
AAFP, American Academy of Family Physicians; AAP, American Academy of Pediatrics; ACIP, Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices; CDC, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; FDA, Food and Drug Administration; IAC, Immunization Action Coalition; MMWR, Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report; NIP, National Immunization Program; VIS, Vaccine Information Statement; VPD, vaccine-preventable disease; WHO, World Health Organization.
  
Issue 631: November 20, 2006
1.  VIS correction: Typo fixed on dosing schedule of the Spanish-language version of the interim VIS for HPV vaccine

In the October 16 issue of IAC Express, we announced the availability of a Spanish-language version of the interim VIS for human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine (dated 9/5/06). Unfortunately, the translation supplied to IAC contained a typo in the third section of the VIS (titled "Who should get HPV vaccine and when?"). The incorrect translation indicated that the third dose of the vaccine should be administered six months after the second dose. The correct information is that the third dose should be administered six months after the FIRST dose. The Spanish translation of the VIS has been corrected.

If you downloaded and printed copies of the incorrect VIS, please discard them; you can access a corrected version using the link below.

To access a ready-to-print (PDF) version of corrected Spanish-language VIS, go to: http://www.immunize.org/vis/sp_hpv.pdf

To access the English-language version, go to:
http://www.immunize.org/vis/vis-hpv-gardasil.pdf

For information about the use of VISs, and for VISs in more than 30 languages, visit IAC's VIS web section at http://www.immunize.org/vis

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2 Heads up: CDC needs your help in promoting National Influenza Vaccination Week; CDC issues related health advisory

On November 16, CDC sent the following letter from Dr. Jeanne Santoli, deputy director, Immunization Services Division, National Immunization Program. It is reprinted below in its entirety.

On November 17, CDC sent a memo to healthcare professionals inviting them to participate in a conference call that will provide professionals with strategies for extending the influenza vaccination season. The call is scheduled for November 30; the memo is reprinted below in its entirety.

On November 15, CDC issued a Health Advisory about National Influenza Vaccination Week. It is reprinted below in its entirety with the exception of the Note.


DR. SANTOLI'S LETTER

Dear Colleague:

On Monday November 13, 2006 the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced the designation of the week after Thanksgiving as the 2006 National Influenza Vaccination Week (NIVW). This year, NIVW will run from November 27 to December 3.

In order to get a sense of the activities that are or will be occurring across the country during NIVW and throughout the influenza season, the CDC is asking those planning events or initiatives to provide a limited amount of information about the event via a web-based system.

Information submitted to this system will be uploaded and posted on the CDC website along with other resources and materials related to NIVW. In addition, information about events and initiatives this year will be used to assist in the development of future NIVWs.

Please log on and submit a brief description of your planned activities at http://www.cdc.gov/flu/nivw06form.htm

For questions about the NIVW Event List, please contact Vicki Evans at VEvans@cdc.gov

For more information about NIVW, visit http://www.cdc.gov/flu/nivw06.htm

Jeanne M. Santoli, MD, MPH
Deputy Director
Immunization Services Division
National Immunization Program/CDC



MEMO ABOUT CDC CONFERENCE CALL

Dear Healthcare Professionals:

On Monday November 13, 2006 the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced the designation of the week after Thanksgiving as the 2006 National Influenza Vaccination Week (NIVW). This year, NIVW will run from November 27 to December 3.

As part of the activities of this first NIVW, the National Immunization Program will host an influenza conference call on November 30, 2006, from 2:00 to 2:45 PM Eastern Time. The call will provide you with an update on strategies for extending the vaccination season. As on past calls, a short presentation of key influenza information will be given with time for your questions.

Callers are advised to begin dialing in 15 minutes in advance of the calls as these will be operated assisted calls. After the presentations are completed, operators will open the lines to take questions from callers.

Dial-In Information: (888) 322-1985

Passcode: 2161049

For more information about the call, please visit: http://www.cdc.gov/nip/ed/ciinc/calls Please note: this website will be updated with additional information, and slides for the call, two days prior to the call. If you have any questions, feel free to contact nipinfo@cdc.gov



THIS IS AN OFFICIAL CDC HEALTH ADVISORY

Distributed via Health Alert Network
Wednesday, November 15, 2006, 16:20 EST

NATIONAL INFLUENZA VACCINATION WEEK (NIVW) NOVEMBER 27-DECEMBER, 2006

Every year in the United States, on average 5% to 20% of the population becomes infected with influenza virus. More than 200,000 people are hospitalized from influenza complications and about 36,000 people die from influenza. Vaccination is the best way to prevent influenza and its severe complications. Anyone who wants to reduce their risk for getting influenza should be vaccinated during each influenza season. Annual influenza vaccination is recommended for the following groups:

Persons at high risk for influenza-related complications and severe disease, including:
  • Children aged 6-59 months
  • Pregnant women
  • Persons aged >=50 years
  • Persons of any age with certain chronic medical conditions

Persons who live with or care for persons at high risk, including:

  • Household members in frequent contact with persons at high risk and who can transmit influenza to those persons at high risk
  • Healthcare workers

Although vaccination programs focus on providing vaccination before or early in the influenza season, influenza vaccination should continue throughout the fall and winter months since influenza activity can circulate anytime from November through April. In addition, many people recommended to receive influenza vaccination have not been vaccinated by November.

To help raise awareness about the importance of influenza vaccination in November and beyond, the United States Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the National Influenza Vaccine Summit, and other partners, announce a National Influenza Vaccination Week (NIVW) to take place from Monday, November 27 through Sunday, December 3, 2006. CDC encourages state and local health departments, public health partners, and providers to plan influenza vaccination clinics and activities to promote influenza vaccination. Free materials are available for easy printing at the "flu gallery" (http://www.cdc.gov/flu/gallery), including posters and educational flyers.

To access the Health Advisory, go to:
http://www2a.cdc.gov/HAN/ArchiveSys/ViewMsgV.asp?AlertNum=00252

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3 Special issue of the National Influenza Vaccine Summit's newsletter encourages providers to promote their influenza vaccination clinics ASAP

On November 17, the National Influenza Vaccine Summit published a special issue of its newsletter. It is reprinted below in its entirety.


NATIONAL INFLUENZA VACCINE SUMMIT NEWSLETTER

SPECIAL ISSUE!
Friday, November 17, 2006

ATTENTION! ALL HEALTHCARE PROVIDERS AND VACCINATORS

NATIONAL INFLUENZA VACCINE WEEK (NIVW) November 27-December 3

How to Promote Your Influenza Clinics from November through January

To support the intent of the National Influenza Vaccine Week (NIVW), the American Lung Association (ALA) and Maxim Health Systems continue to offer their national Flu Clinic Locator to assist the public in identifying local influenza vaccination clinics that are open to the public.

The primary reason the ALA Flu Clinic Locator was established was so persons in your community seeking an influenza vaccination would be able to find clinics in their areas. To do so, they may go to http://www.flucliniclocator.org and enter their zip code. A list of dates, times, and locations of clinics in their areas will "pop up."

As we prepare for NIVW, it will be helpful to the public for this site to be as broadly populated as possible. We encourage all providers and vaccinators who will be holding public vaccination clinics during NIVW and the weeks that follow, to post their clinics on this site.

If you would like to enroll your clinic(s), go to: http://www.lungusa2.org/embargo/flucliniclocator/FCLAgreement0806.doc

Print and complete the Flu Locator Agreement Form and fax to (212) 315-8870.

We also realize there are other flu clinic locator systems throughout the country. To increase public awareness of and access to public influenza clinics, please consider enrolling and also posting your clinics on ALA's locator.

Thanks for supporting our efforts to increase influenza vaccine coverage both during NIVW and throughout November, December, and January.

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4 November issue of the National Influenza Vaccine Summit's newsletter now available

The November 2006 newsletter of the National Influenza Vaccine Summit is available at http://www.cdc.gov/flu/professionals/bulletin/2006-07/bulletin4_111306.htm

The National Influenza Vaccine Summit recently launched a new website at http://www.preventinfluenza.org Visit this new resource often as it is being updated daily!

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5 Updated: Summary of recommendations for child and teen immunization and two other professional-education materials

IAC recently updated and corrected information on the following education materials for health professionals:

"Summary of Recommendations for Childhood and Adolescent Immunization" was revised to correct the recommended age range for receipt of live attenuated influenza vaccine (LAIV). Previously, the age range on the summary had been given as "ages 5 years and older"; it has been corrected to "ages 5-49 years." Also, details were added to the catch-up vaccination information for pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV). To access a ready-to-print (PDF) version of the updated summary, go to: http://www.immunize.org/catg.d/rules1.pdf

"Administering Vaccines: Dose, Route, Site, and Needle Size" was revised to correct the dosing information for rotavirus vaccine. Previously, the dose had been given as "0.5 mL"; it has been corrected to "2.0 mL." To access a ready-to-print (PDF) version of the piece, go to: http://www.immunize.org/catg.d/p3085.pdf

"Don't Be Guilty of These Errors in Vaccine Storage and Handling" was revised to add information about the new vaccine for herpes zoster (shingles). To access a ready-to-print (PDF) version of the piece, go to: http://www.immunize.org/catg.d/p3036.pdf

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6 November issue of CDC's Immunization Works electronic newsletter now available

The November issue of Immunization Works, a monthly email newsletter published by CDC, is available on NIP's website. The newsletter offers members of the immunization community non-proprietary information about current topics. CDC encourages its wide dissemination.

Some of the information in the November issue has already appeared in previous issues of IAC Express and an article about National Influenza Vaccination Week has been covered in articles #2 and #3 in this issue of IAC Express. Following is the opening paragraph of the lead article and complete text of two articles we have not covered.


NEW SHINGLES VACCINE RECOMMENDATION

In October, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommended people age 60 and older receive a new vaccine to prevent herpes zoster, or shingles, a condition that often leads to debilitating chronic pain. The ACIP recommended that the new vaccine, Zostavax, be given to all people age 60 and older, including those who have had a previous episode of shingles. . . .


OTHER NEWS AND SUMMARIES

NEW VACCINE TRACKING SYSTEM: A record number of up to 115 million doses of influenza vaccine are expected for the 2006-2007 influenza season, with 77 million doses reported as distributed by November 3.

Frequently throughout every vaccination season, healthcare providers and facilities ask where they can obtain influenza vaccine. With no current information available regarding who has vaccine to sell, the answer usually is to "call a distributor or manufacturer."

To address this need, the National Influenza [Vaccine] Summit—an informal collaboration of organizations involved in influenza vaccination in the United States—has developed the Influenza Vaccine Availability Tracking System (IVATS). The goal of IVATS is to establish a voluntary, centralized, regularly updated national resource that healthcare providers can access to learn: (1) which distributors have influenza vaccine for sale; and (2) how to contact and order vaccine from these distributors. As of October 31st, nine distributors have enrolled and four have submitted their first report to IVATS. Information about how to use IVATS can be found on the National Influenza [Vaccine] Summit's website at http://www.ama-assn.org/ama/pub/category/16919.html


CDC INFLUENZA MATERIALS WIN AWARDS: CDC is proud to announce that three products from the 2005-2006 influenza vaccine campaign have won National Health Information Awards in the Health Promotion/Disease and Injury Prevention Information Category. They include: "Hazlo Por Ellos/Do It for Them," a Spanish-language television PSA [public service announcement] targeting Hispanic seniors; "Grandkids," an English-language television PSA targeting African American seniors; and "For 50 and Older—African American Grandmother/Granddaughter," a poster targeting African American seniors age 50 and older. Congratulations to CDC's Kari Sapsis and Ron Nuse, and the campaign contractor, the Academy for Educational Development (AED).


Following are titles of articles in the November Immunization Works that we have covered in either a previous IAC Express issue or this issue:
  • New Shingles Vaccine Recommendation
  • National Influenza Vaccination Week (NIVW)
  • ACIP Accepting Nominations
  • Recommended Adult Immunization Schedule
  • Vaccination Coverage among Children Entering School
  • Varicella Surveillance Practices
  • Improved Supply of Meningococcal Conjugate Vaccine
  • Update: Guillain-Barre Syndrome among Recipients of MCV4
  • Adult Immunization Satellite Broadcast
  • Register for NIC
  • Updated HPV Materials

To access the complete November issue of Immunization Works, go to: http://www.cdc.gov/nip/news/newsltrs/imwrks/2006/200611.htm

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7 New: FDA issues safety alert for Tamiflu influenza antiviral; CDC offers related information for providers and the public

On November 13, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) posted a Safety Alert about Tamiflu (oseltamivir phosphate), an influenza antiviral medication. The Safety Alert is reprinted below in its entirety; FDA also included links to pertinent information from the website of the pharmaceutical company Roche, Tamiflu's manufacturer. They are included in this IAC Express article.

On November 16, the CDC's Influenza web section posted five education materials for providers and the public related to influenza antivirals. Links to the materials are given at the end of this IAC Express article.


2006 SAFETY ALERTS FOR DRUGS, BIOLOGICS, MEDICAL DEVICES, AND DIETARY SUPPLEMENTS

Tamiflu (oseltamivir phosphate)

Audience: Pediatric and primary care healthcare professionals and patients

[Posted 11/13/2006] Roche and FDA notified healthcare professionals of revisions to the PRECAUTIONS/Neuropsychiatric Events and Patient Information sections of the prescribing information for Tamiflu, indicated for the treatment of uncomplicated acute illness due to influenza infection in patients 1 year and older who have been symptomatic for no more than 2 days and for the prophylaxis of influenza in patients 1 year and older. There have been postmarketing reports (mostly from Japan) of self-injury and delirium with the use of Tamiflu in patients with influenza. People with the flu, particularly children, may be at an increased risk of self-injury and confusion shortly after taking Tamiflu and should be closely monitored for signs of unusual behavior. A healthcare professional should be contacted immediately if the patient taking Tamiflu shows any signs of unusual behavior.


To access Roche's November 13 letter to healthcare professionals, go to:
http://www.fda.gov/medwatch/safety/2006/Tamiflu_dhcp_letter.pdf

To access Roche's package insert for Tamiflu, go to:
http://www.fda.gov/medwatch/safety/2006/Tamiflu_PI.pdf

To access Roche's patient information about Tamiflu, go to:
http://www.fda.gov/medwatch/safety/2006/Tamiflu_PPI.pdf

To access FDA's Safety Alert for Tamiflu, go to: http://www.fda.gov/medwatch/safety/2006/safety06.htm In the box at the top of the screen, click on the link titled "Go to most recent" and scroll down to the entry for Tamiflu.


RELATED CDC INFORMATION
On November 16, CDC updated the following five pages of its Influenza web section with information related to side effects associated with Tamiflu:
  1. Questions & Answers: Influenza Antiviral Medications
  2. Antiviral Agents for Influenza: Side Effects and Adverse Reactions
  3. Antiviral Medications for Influenza
  4. Antiviral Drugs: Summary of Side Effects
  5. Antiviral Drugs and Influenza

To access these materials, go to: http://www.cdc.gov/flu/whatsnew.htm#updated and click on the pertinent links.

To access a broad range of continually updated information on seasonal influenza, avian influenza, and pandemic influenza, go to: http://www.cdc.gov/flu

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8 New: Tenth edition of the Pink Book now available; order by December 15 for pre-publication discount

The website of the Public Health Foundation recently posted information on ordering the tenth edition of "Epidemiology and Prevention of Vaccine-Preventable Diseases" (AKA the Pink Book). It will be published in January 2007 and available for $32. The pre-publication price of $25.60 is available for orders placed by December 15.

The Pink Book provides physicians, nurses, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, pharmacists, and others with current and comprehensive information on vaccine-preventable diseases and the vaccines that prevent them. The tenth edition has new chapters on rotavirus, human papillomavirus, and zoster (shingles).

To place an order, go to:
http://bookstore.phf.org/product_info.php?cPath=45&products_id=552

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9 Save the date: Epidemiology & Prevention of Vaccine-Preventable Diseases broadcast planned for January/February 2007

The live satellite broadcast Epidemiology & Prevention of Vaccine-Preventable Diseases is scheduled for four consecutive Thursdays in 2007: January 25 and February 1, 8, and 15. The times have not been announced yet; each session will last approximately 4 hours.

The broadcasts will give participants a comprehensive overview of the principles of vaccination, general recommendations, immunization strategies for providers, and specific information about vaccine-preventable diseases and the vaccines that prevent them. The course is intended for immunization providers such as physicians, nurses, nurse practitioners, pharmacists, physicians' assistants, Department of Defense paraprofessionals, medical students, and others.

Registrations are not being accepted yet. IAC Express will publicize registration information when it becomes available.

For information on the course textbook, slide sets, and other resources, go to: http://www.cdc.gov/nip/ed/satellite_broadcasts.htm Click on the link titled "Epidemiology & Prevention of Vaccine-Preventable Diseases."

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10.  Web-on-demand and DVD versions of the Immunization Update 2006 broadcast now available for self-study

Immunization Update 2006, which was broadcast August 10, is now available as a self-study program in web-on-demand and DVD formats.

To access the web-on-demand version, go to:
http://www2.cdc.gov/phtn/webcast/immup-2006

To order one copy of the DVD at no charge, go to the NIP online order form at https://www2.cdc.gov/nchstp_od/PIWeb/niporderform.asp Scroll down to the section titled "Videos and DVDs for providers." The DVD is item #99-8291.

To access slides and other resources related to the program, go to: http://www.cdc.gov/nip/ed/updatesandresources.htm

For information on program content, go to:
http://www2a.cdc.gov/PHTN/immup-2006

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11.  Tuesday's NOVA program to feature recent research on the 1918 influenza virus

NOVA's ScienceNOW program is airing a spot on CDC's Terry Tumpey and his work to recreate the 1918 influenza pandemic virus. The segment is part of an hour-long news magazine type show that will air Tuesday, November 21, at 8PM ET on PBS.

More information on the program is available at
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/sciencenow/3318/02.html

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12.  New: HHS releases third part of its Pandemic Planning Update

On November 13, Michael Leavitt, Secretary of HHS (Department of Health and Human Services), released a report titled "Pandemic Planning Update III." It provides an update on the department's five priorities related to pandemic planning, which were outlined in the original report, "Pandemic Planning Update," dated March 13. The second part of the report was issued June 29.

To access a ready-to-print (PDF) version of the November 13 report, go to:
http://www.pandemicflu.gov/plan/pdf/panflureport3.pdf

To access the June 29 report, go to:
http://www.pandemicflu.gov/plan/pdf/PanfluReport2.pdf

To access the March 13 report, go to:
http://www.pandemicflu.gov/plan/pdf/panflu20060313.pdf

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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.

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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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