IAC Express 2011

Issue number 947: August 22, 2011

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Contents of this Issue
Select a title to jump to the article.
  1. CDC's 2011 recommendations for prevention and control of seasonal influenza published as an MMWR Early Release
  2. Spotlight on immunize.org: IAC's most popular web sections and downloads
  3. CDC reports on U.S. influenza vaccination coverage among healthcare personnel during 2010-11 influenza season
  4. CDC reports on U.S. influenza vaccination coverage among pregnant women during 2010-11 influenza season
  5. IAC's Video of the Week features a young mother describing the death of her infant son from pertussis
  6. IAC updates "Standing Orders for Administering Tetanus-Diphtheria Toxoids & Pertussis Vaccine (Td/Tdap) to Adults" and "Skills Checklist for Immunization"
  7. 2011-12 VISs for influenza vaccines now in Arabic, Cambodian, Chinese, Tagalog, Turkish, and Vietnamese
  8. "CDC Features" educates parents about the importance of making sure their children are fully vaccinated for school
  9. IAC's popular laminated versions of the 2011 U.S. immunization schedules are available. Order a supply for your workplace today!
  10. Award-winning DVD! "Immunization Techniques: Best Practices with Infants, Children, and Adults"--from the California Department of Public Health, Immunization Branch
  11. MMWR publishes information about transplant-transmitted hepatitis B virus in the United States in 2010
  12. Two Clinical Vaccinology courses coming up--one to be held in Atlanta on November 4-6, 2011, the other in Chicago on March 9-11, 2012
 
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 947: August 22, 2011
1.  CDC's 2011 recommendations for prevention and control of seasonal influenza published as an MMWR Early Release

On August 18, CDC published "Prevention and Control of Influenza with Vaccines: Recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), 2011" as an electronic MMWR Early Release. The first paragraph, which briefly lists information presented in the recommendations, is reprinted below.


This document provides updated guidance for the use of influenza vaccines in the United States for the 2011-12 influenza season. In 2010, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) first recommended annual influenza vaccination for all persons aged 6 months and older in the United States. Vaccination of all persons aged 6 months and older continues to be recommended. Information is presented in this report regarding vaccine strains for the 2011-12 influenza season, the vaccination schedule for children aged 6 months through 8 years, and considerations regarding vaccination of persons with egg allergy. Availability of a new Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved intradermally administered influenza vaccine formulation for adults aged 18 through 64 years is reported. For issues related to influenza vaccination that are not addressed in this update, refer to the 2010 ACIP statement on prevention and control of influenza with vaccines and associated updates.


To access the Early Release, go to: http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/pdf/wk/mm60e0818.pdf
 
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2 Spotlight on immunize.org: IAC's most popular web sections and downloads

Looking for quick access to IAC's most frequently visited web sections and downloaded materials? Look no further. IAC's Most Popular Web Sections and Downloads provides a listing of this month's top 15 web sections, as well as of the top 10 downloaded handouts and publications for patients and staff.

On the left side of IAC's newly redesigned home page, you will find this handy list of links.

To access the Most Popular Web sections and Downloads, please visit IAC's home page at http://www.immunize.org
 
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3 CDC reports on U.S. influenza vaccination coverage among healthcare personnel during 2010-11 influenza season

CDC published "Influenza Vaccination Coverage Among Health-Care Personnel--United States, 2010-11 Influenza Season" in the August 19 issue of MMWR. A press summary of the article is reprinted below.


Although influenza vaccination levels have improved over the past few years, vaccination coverage among healthcare personnel (HCP) remains below our 2020 national health objectives. All HCP should be vaccinated annually for influenza, according to recommendations from the Healthcare Infection Control Practices Advisory Committee (HICPAC) and the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP). In a national survey conducted in April 2011 of 1,931 HCP, influenza vaccination coverage among all HCP for the 2010-11 season was 63.5 percent, with coverage of 84 percent among physicians and 70 percent among nurses. Near universal coverage was achieved among HCP who reported being subject to an employer requirement for vaccination. In the absence of requirements, increased vaccination coverage was associated with vaccination being offered to HCP onsite free of charge for multiple days. Influenza vaccination coverage among HCP is important for patient safety, and healthcare administrators should make vaccination readily accessible to all HCP as an important part of any comprehensive infection control program.


To access the full article, go to: http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm6032a1.htm
 
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4 CDC reports on U.S. influenza vaccination coverage among pregnant women during 2010-11 influenza season

CDC published "Influenza Vaccination Coverage Among Pregnant Women--United States, 2010-11 Influenza Season" in the August 19 issue of MMWR. A press summary of the article is reprinted below.


Pregnant women are at increased risk of morbidity and mortality from influenza infection during pregnancy. Vaccinating pregnant women for influenza protects both the women and their infants, especially infant younger than 6 months who are not old enough to get influenza vaccination. Despite the long-standing recommendation of influenza vaccination for pregnant women, the vaccination level among them was historically low prior to the 2009-10 season. During the 2009-10 season, about half of pregnant women were vaccinated, and this level was sustained during the 2010-11 season (49 percent). Women who were offered influenza vaccination by a provider offer were five times as likely to be vaccinated as women who didn't receive an offer from a provider. However, four out of 10 women in this survey did not receive a provider offer. Healthcare providers need to strongly recommend and offer inactivated influenza vaccination to their pregnant patients. . . .


To access the full article, go to: http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm6032a2.htm
 
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5 IAC's Video of the Week features a young mother describing the death of her infant son from pertussis

IAC encourages IAC Express readers to watch a powerful and heartbreaking 2-minute video that features Natalie Norton describing her son Gavin's death from pertussis. Ms. Norton worked with the March of Dimes in making the video to raise awareness that parents need to get vaccinated to protect their infants from pertussis.

The video will be available on the home page of IAC's website through August 28. To access it, go to: http://www.immunize.org and click on the image under the words Video of the Week.

Remember to bookmark IAC's home page to view a new video every Monday.

To access the archives of IAC's Videos of the Week, go to: http://www.immunize.org/votw
 
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6 IAC updates "Standing Orders for Administering Tetanus-Diphtheria Toxoids & Pertussis Vaccine (Td/Tdap) to Adults" and "Skills Checklist for Immunization"

IAC recently revised the following two handouts for healthcare professionals.

(1) For "Standing Orders for Administering Tetanus-Diphtheria Toxoids & Pertussis Vaccine (Td/Tdap) to Adults," go to: http://www.immunize.org/catg.d/p3078.pdf

To access a table with links to all IAC's standing orders protocols for vaccine administration and medical management of vaccine reactions, as well as guidance for newborn-nursery hepatitis B vaccination, go to: http://www.immunize.org/standing-orders

(2) For "Skills Checklist for Immunization," go to: http://www.immunize.org/catg.d/p7010.pdf

IAC's Handouts for Patients and Staff web section offers healthcare professionals and the public approximately 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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7 2011-12 VISs for influenza vaccines now in Arabic, Cambodian, Chinese, Tagalog, Turkish, and Vietnamese

The 2011-12 VIS for inactivated influenza (TIV) vaccine and the 2011-12 VIS for live, intranasal influenza (LAIV) vaccine are now available in Arabic, Cambodian, Chinese, Tagalog, Turkish, and Vietnamese. IAC gratefully acknowledges Mustafa Kozanoglu, MD, for the Turkish translations and the California Department of Public Health, Immunization Branch, for the other translations.

To access the new translations of the VIS for TIV, as well as the English and Spanish versions, go to: http://www.immunize.org/vis/vis_flu_inactive.asp [Note: IAC has developed a large-print version of the Spanish VIS for TIV; access it by clicking on the preceding link.]

To access the new translations of the VIS for LAIV, as well as the English and Spanish versions, go to: http://www.immunize.org/vis/vis_flu_live.asp

For information about the use of VISs, and for VISs in more than 35 languages, visit IAC's VIS web section at http://www.immunize.org/vis
 
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8 "CDC Features" educates parents about the importance of making sure their children are fully vaccinated for school

The "CDC Features" web section now includes information for parents on the vaccines needed for infants, children, and teens.

To access "School Starts Soon--Is Your Child Fully Vaccinated?" go to: http://www.cdc.gov/features/catchupimmunizations
 
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9 IAC's popular laminated versions of the 2011 U.S. immunization schedules are 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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10.  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.

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/dvd

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

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

Note for healthcare settings located in California: Contact your local health department immunization program for a free copy.
 
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11.  MMWR publishes information about transplant-transmitted hepatitis B virus in the United States in 2010

CDC published "Notes from the Field: Transplant-Transmitted Hepatitis B Virus--United States, 2010" in the August 19 issue of MMWR. The first paragraph of the article is reprinted below.


On March 29, 2011, CDC was notified about a possible transplant-associated hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection in a liver transplant recipient with no known risk factors for HBV infection. An investigation was begun to learn if other recipients of organs or tissues from the donor had been infected with HBV and to investigate potential sources of the donor's infection.


To access the full article, go to: http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm6032a4.htm
 
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12.  Two Clinical Vaccinology courses coming up--one to be held in Atlanta on November 4-6, 2011, the other in Chicago on March 9-11, 2012

The National Foundation for Infectious Diseases, the Emory Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, and the Emory Vaccine Center are sponsoring two Clinical Vaccinology courses. One will be held in Atlanta on November 4-6, the other in Chicago on March 9-11, 2012. Registration for the November 4-6 course will open in late August.

To access the brochure for both courses, click here.
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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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