IAC Express 2011

Issue number 925: April 18, 2011

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Contents of this Issue
Select a title to jump to the article.
  1. Reminder: IAC has posted an important correction to its educational piece for healthcare professionals: "Medical Management of Vaccine Reactions in Children and Teens"
  2. CDC publishes report about a case of human rabies in Michigan in 2009
  3. Spotlight on immunize.org: IAC's standing orders for vaccination
  4. IAC's popular laminated versions of the 2011 U.S. immunization schedules are now available. Order a supply for your workplace today!
  5. Eleven new healthcare organizations have been added to IAC's Honor Roll for Patient Safety--bringing the total to more than 100!
  6. IAC's Video of the Week features magicians Penn and Teller making a strong visual case for immunization
  7. Use CDC's fact sheets to educate parents about the benefits and risks of vaccination
  8. National Infant Immunization Week starts on Saturday, April 23--be sure to add your activities to the CDC website
  9. Handout about safe injection practices is worth reviewing with your staff
  10. Scheduled for April 21: State University of New York webcast on improving teen immunization rates--CE credit available
  11. 91 U.S. children have died from complications of influenza during the 2010-11 season--so please keep vaccinating
  12. Award-winning DVD! "Immunization Techniques: Best Practices with Infants, Children, and Adults"--from the California Department of Public Health, Immunization Branch
  13. ACIP meeting scheduled for June 22-23 in Atlanta; registration deadlines are in early June
  14. CDC publishes report on tracking the progress toward global polio eradication during 2009-10
  15. New Zealand National Immunisation Conference planned for August 19-20 in Rotorua; abstracts due May 10
 
Abbreviations
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.
  
Issue 925: April 18, 2011
1.  Reminder: IAC has posted an important correction to its educational piece for healthcare professionals: "Medical Management of Vaccine Reactions in Children and Teens"

On April 12, IAC published a special edition of IAC Express to notify readers that IAC's educational piece concerning medical management of vaccine reactions in children contained a significant error in epinephrine dosage. The text of the special edition is reprinted below for those who missed it.


The Immunization Action Coalition (IAC) has posted the following important correction to its educational piece for healthcare professionals: "Medical Management of Vaccine Reactions in Children and Teens."

On page 3 of 3, an incorrect epinephrine dose is listed in the table titled "First-Line Treatment, Epinephrine." In the row for infants and children age 5-7 years, 40-56 lb, 18-25.5 kg, the incorrect dose read "0.2-25 mL (or mg)" and now has been corrected to read "0.2-0.25 ml (or mg)."

From April 7 until the afternoon of April 12, the incorrect version was posted on IAC's website. If you downloaded "Medical Management of Vaccine Reactions in Children and Teens" prior to April 13, 2011, be sure to download the updated and corrected version at http://www.immunize.org/catg.d/p3082a.pdf

IAC thanks Robin Candace, RN, BSN, Compliance Manager, LifeLong West Berkeley Family Practice, Berkeley, California, for notifying us of this significant error.

All errata from IAC are posted at http://www.immunize.org/errata


To access the April 12 special edition, go to: http://www.immunize.org/express/issue924.asp
 
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2 CDC publishes report about a case of human rabies in Michigan in 2009

CDC published "Human Rabies--Michigan, 2009" in the April 15 issue of MMWR. A press summary of the article is reprinted below.


Rabies is a fatal viral disease that affects the central nervous system and is usually transmitted through animal bites. In November 2009, a Michigan man aged 55 years was hospitalized with labored breathing and muscle weakness that rapidly progressed to flaccid paralysis, then death. Rabies was suspected after a family member reported that several months earlier the patient had come in contact with a bat while sleeping. A diagnosis of rabies was confirmed by CDC laboratory testing, with molecular analysis later revealing that the patient had been infected with a variant commonly associated with the silver-haired bat. This case underscores the importance of medical attention following bat exposures that are conducive to rabies transmission. Such exposures include being bitten or scratched by a bat or being in close proximity to a bat while sleeping. The public should be aware of rabies and the risks associated with bat exposures. Middle-aged men are an important target for educational outreach, since a high percentage of rabies cases in the United States are in this demographic group.


To access the full article, go to: http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm6014a1.htm
 
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3 Spotlight on immunize.org: IAC's standing orders for vaccination

Using pre-approved standing order protocols for vaccination in healthcare settings allows eligible nurses and other healthcare professionals to administer vaccines to children, adolescents, and adults. State laws vary regarding who can administer vaccines under standing orders.

If you're looking for quick access to standing orders protocols for vaccination, look no further. IAC's Standing Orders web section provides links to sets of standing orders for administering all routinely recommended vaccines to children and adults.

To access links to all IAC's standing orders protocols for vaccine administration, as well as guidance for newborn-nursery hepatitis B vaccination, visit: http://www.immunize.org/standing-orders

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. To access all of IAC's free handouts, go to: http://www.immunize.org/handouts
 
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4 IAC's popular laminated versions of the 2011 U.S. immunization schedules are now available. Order a supply for your workplace today!

IAC's laminated versions of the 2011 U.S. child/teen and adult immunization schedules are covered with a tough, washable coating that lets them stand up to a year's worth of use in every area of your workplace where immunizations are given. Each has six pages (i.e., three double-sided pages) and is folded to measure 8.5" by 11".

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

To view images of the laminated schedules, or to order online or download an order form, go to: http://www.immunize.org/shop/laminated-schedules.asp

For quotes on customizing or placing orders in excess of 999 schedules, call (651) 647-9009 or email admininfo@immunize.org

To learn about other essential immunization resources available for purchase from IAC, go to: http://www.immunize.org/shop
 
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5 Eleven new healthcare organizations have been added to IAC's Honor Roll for Patient Safety--bringing the total to more than 100!

IAC encourages qualifying healthcare organizations to apply for its Honor Roll for Patient Safety. The honor roll recognizes hospitals, medical practices, professional organizations, and government entities that have taken a stand for patient safety by strengthening their mandatory influenza vaccination policies for healthcare workers.

More than 100 organizations are now enrolled.

Since February 14, when IAC Express last reported on healthcare organizations that have recently been added to the Honor Roll for Patient Safety, the following eleven organizations have been enrolled.
  • Two health departments: Peterborough County-City Health Unit, Ontario, Canada; and RiverStone Health, Billings, MT
     
  • Eight institutions: Geisinger Medical Center, Danville, PA; Hackettstown Regional Medical Center, Hackettstown, NJ; Hospital of Saint Raphael, New Haven, CT; Madonna Rehabilitation Hospital, Lincoln, NE; Tri-City Medical Center, Oceanside, CA; Tuba City Regional Health Care Corporation, Tuba City, AZ; Unity Health Center, Shawnee, OK; and The Women's Hospital, Newburgh, IN
     
  • One medical practice: Northeast Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Ithaca, NY

To be included in the honor roll, an organization's mandate must require influenza vaccination for employees and must include serious measures to prevent transmission of influenza from unvaccinated workers to patients. Such measures might include a mask requirement, reassignment to non-patient-care duties, or dismissal of the employee.

To find specific information on the mandates of the enrolled organizations or to submit your organization's application for the honor roll, go to: http://www.immunize.org/honor-roll

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6 IAC's Video of the Week features magicians Penn and Teller making a strong visual case for immunization

IAC encourages IAC Express readers to watch a 2-minute video that features magicians Penn and Teller showing how vaccines have shielded people against diseases over the decades.

The video will be available on the home page of IAC's website through April 24. To access it, go to: http://www.immunize.org and click on the image under the words Video of the Week. After April 24, access the video directly on YouTube at http://www.youtube.com/user/watersafefresno#p/a/u/0/1vNQ7K_ow78

Remember to bookmark IAC's home page to view a new video every Monday. To view an IAC Video of the Week from the past, go to the video archive at http://www.immunize.org/votw
 
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7 Use CDC's fact sheets to educate parents about the benefits and risks of vaccination

CDC recently posted 13 fact sheets to its website. The fact sheets briefly describe symptoms of each vaccine-preventable disease (VPD) as well as benefits and risks of vaccination. Several include true stories about how VPDs have affected families. Fact sheets are available on the following: chickenpox (varicella), diphtheria, hepatitis A, hepatitis B, Hib, influenza, measles, mumps, pertussis, polio, rotavirus, rubella, and tetanus.

The fact sheets, part of a collection of materials called Resources for Vaccine Conversations with Parents, were developed by CDC, the American Academy of Family Physicians, and the American Academy of Pediatrics.

The fact sheets are available for printing in color and in black and white. To access them, go to: http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/spec-grps/hcp/conv-materials.htm Scroll down to the subhead titled "Materials for Parents," and find the section titled "SERIES: Diseases & the Vaccines that Prevent Them."
 
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8 National Infant Immunization Week starts on Saturday, April 23--be sure to add your activities to the CDC website

National Infant Immunization Week (NIIW) is an annual observance to highlight the importance of protecting infants from vaccine-preventable diseases. It is being held April 23-30 and begins on Saturday.

Any health department or immunization coalition interested in promoting infant immunization within their community will find abundant useful information on the CDC's NIIW website. Resources include tools for planning events and promoting them through the media; listings of NIIW activities and events planned across the nation; and educational materials for providers and parents.

To access these NIIW resources, go to: http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/events/niiw

CDC encourages all organizations that are planning an NIIW activity to fill out a form to share information about its plans with others. To access the form, go to: http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/events/niiw/activities/activity-form.html

To read about other organizations' activities, go to: http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/events/niiw/activities.html
 
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9 Handout about safe injection practices is worth reviewing with your staff

A handout titled "Protecting Patients from Unsafe Injections: What healthcare providers need to know" provides concise information about the dangers posed by unsafe injection practices, gives real-life examples of unsafe practices, encourages healthcare providers to carefully review infection control practices with staff, and outlines steps providers can take to ensure injection safety.

Developed by the Health Industry Distributors Association, the handout is available on the website of the One & Only Campaign at http://www.oneandonlycampaign.org/media/news/details.aspx?ID=112

Led by CDC and the Safe Injection Practices Coalition, the One & Only Campaign aims to raise awareness among patients and healthcare providers about safe injection practices and to eradicate outbreaks resulting from unsafe injection practices.

For more information, go to: http://www.oneandonlycampaign.org
 
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10.  Scheduled for April 21: State University of New York webcast on improving teen immunization rates--CE credit available

A webcast titled "Teens, Tweens, Parents & Vaccines: Applying Research to Enhance Professional/Family Dialogue" is scheduled for April 21 from noon to 1:00 p.m. ET. The speaker is Cynthia Rand, MD, MPH, University of Rochester Medical Center. The event is sponsored by the School of Public Health, State University of New York at Albany. Continuing education (CE) is available. For details, go to: http://www.albany.edu/sph/cphce/phl_0411.shtml
 
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11.  91 U.S. children have died from complications of influenza during the 2010-11 season--so please keep vaccinating

CDC reported one influenza-associated pediatric death for the week ending April 9, for a total of 91 confirmed influenza-associated pediatric deaths so far this season. Remember, influenza vaccination is recommended for everyone age 6 months and older, so please keep vaccinating your patients.
 
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12.  Award-winning DVD! "Immunization Techniques: Best Practices with Infants, Children, and Adults"--from the California Department of Public Health, Immunization Branch

The California Department of Public Health (CDPH), Immunization Branch, has updated its award-winning training video, "Immunization Techniques: Best Practices with Infants, Children, and Adults." The 25-minute program can be used to train new employees and to refresh the skills of experienced staff. The video demonstrates the skills and techniques needed to administer vaccines to patients of all ages. It includes instruction on the following:
  • Selecting, preparing, and administering injectable, oral, and nasal vaccines
  • Documenting immunizations
  • Making patients comfortable and educating them
  • Facilitating staff and patient communication

Prices start at $17 each for 1-9 copies and are greatly reduced for large orders, dropping to $3 each for 1,000-1,499 copies.

To learn more about the DVD, and find out how to order it, go to: http://www.immunize.org/shop/toolkit_iztechdvd.asp

For quotes on larger quantities, call (651) 647-9009 or email admininfo@immunize.org

The Immunization Action Coalition is the only nationwide vendor of this new DVD.

Note for healthcare settings located in California: Contact your local health department immunization program for a free copy.

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13.  ACIP meeting scheduled for June 22-23 in Atlanta; registration deadlines are in early June

The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) will hold its next meeting on June 22-23 at CDC's Clifton Road campus in Atlanta. To attend the ACIP meeting onsite, ACIP attendees (participants and visitors) must register online.

The online registration deadline for non-U.S. citizens is June 3. The deadline for U.S. citizens is June 10. To access the online registration form, go to: http://www2a.cdc.gov/nip/ACIP/JuneRegistration.asp

To access detailed information about the meeting, go to: http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/recs/acip/meetings.htm#register There you will find links to the meeting agenda, driving directions, and other useful material.
 
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14.  CDC publishes report on tracking the progress toward global polio eradication during 2009-10

CDC published "Tracking Progress Toward Global Polio Eradication--Worldwide, 2009-2010" in the April 15 issue of MMWR. To access the article, go to: http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm6014a2.htm
 
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15.  New Zealand National Immunisation Conference planned for August 19-20 in Rotorua; abstracts due May 10

The New Zealand National Immunisation Conference will be held in Rotorua on August 19-20, with a preconference workshop scheduled for August 18. The deadline for abstract submissions is May 10.

For complete conference details, go to: http://www.imac2011.co.nz
 
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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.

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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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