Issue Number
278 October
22, 2001
CONTENTS OF THIS ISSUE
- CDC's National Immunization Program releases influenza
bulletin #9
- Revised! Parent education brochure on hepatitis B shots
for new babies
- Updated! Three educational pieces on hepatitis B for
adoptive parents
- New! AAP Immunization Policy Statements page on IAC's
website
- CDC confirms four anthrax cases
- CDC publishes guide to recognizing disease caused by
biologic agents
- IOM Safety Review Committee meeting is set for
November 12
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October 22, 2001
CDC's NATIONAL IMMUNIZATION PROGRAM RELEASES INFLUENZA BULLETIN #9
On October 16, 2001, the National Immunization Program (NIP) issued the ninth in a series of influenza bulletins
designed to update health professionals on the production, distribution, and administration of influenza vaccine for
the 2001-2002 season.
Of special note are two items: "Health care providers may redistribute influenza vaccine this year" and "Health care
providers should take precautions to avoid administering influenza vaccine from previous seasons."
To obtain a camera-ready (PDF format) copy of Influenza Bulletin #9, go to:
http://www.immunize.org/news.d/flubull9.pdf
For previous influenza vaccine bulletins, go to:
http://www.cdc.gov/nip/flu/News.htm#bulletin
The latest information regarding influenza vaccine, as well as patient education materials to print and use, is
available on CDC's website: http://www.cdc.gov/nip/flu
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October 22, 2001
REVISED! PARENT EDUCATION BROCHURE ON HEPATITIS B SHOTS FOR NEW BABIES
See IAC's newly revised foldout brochure for parents, "Hepatitis B Shots Are
Recommended for All New Babies."
Information is clearly presented under headings such as
"What is hepatitis B?", "How is hepatitis B spread?", "Why does my baby need hepatitis B shots
now?", and "Is this vaccine safe?"
To print "Hepatitis B Shots Are Recommended for All New Babies" (PDF format), go to: http://www.immunize.org/catg.d/p4110bab.pdf
To view or print an unformatted version of the brochure (HTML), if you cannot
download PDF files, go to: http://www.immunize.org/catg.d/p4110bab.htm
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October 22, 2001
UPDATED! EDUCATIONAL PIECES ON HEPATITIS B FOR ADOPTIVE PARENTS
Three IAC pieces for people who are adopting children have been updated: "Brief Introduction to Hepatitis B for
Parents of Adopted Children," by Sarah Jane Schwarzenberg, M.D., a pediatric gastroenterologist and an associate
professor in the Department of Pediatrics, Division of Gastroenterology and Nutrition, University of Minnesota;
"Hepatitis B Vaccine Is Imperative for Families Adopting from Abroad," by Jane Aronson, M.D., director of
International Pediatric Health Services, New York; and "Confused about the Hepatitis B Panel? Letter from Adoptive
Mom Is a Familiar Story to the Coalition," by a mother in Indiana, which includes information on interpreting
hepatitis B panel results.
These pieces provide essential information for families adopting from countries with high or moderate HBV
endemicity rates.
To obtain a camera-ready (PDF format) copy of "Brief Introduction to Hepatitis B for Parents of Adopted
Children," go to: http://www.immunize.org/catg.d/4150intr.pdf
To obtain a camera-ready (PDF format) copy of "Hepatitis B Vaccine Is Imperative for Families Adopting from Abroad,"
go to:
http://www.immunize.org/catg.d/4153adop.pdf
To obtain a camera-ready (PDF format) copy of "Confused about the Hepatitis B Panel?", go to:
http://www.immunize.org/catg.d/p4151.pdf
To view or print unformatted versions of the three brochures (HTML), if you cannot download PDF files, go to:
http://www.immunize.org/catg.d/4150intr.htm
http://www.immunize.org/catg.d/4153adop.htm
http://www.immunize.org/catg.d/p4151.htm
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October 22, 2001
NEW! AAP IMMUNIZATION POLICY STATEMENTS PAGE ON IAC'S WEBSITE
Be sure to check out our new page of links to immunization policy statements
from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). The AAP statements address issues ranging from
varicella to meningococcal disease to immunizations for Native American children.
To view IAC's AAP Immunization Policy Statements web page, go to: http://www.immunize.org/aap
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October 22, 2001
CDC CONFIRMS FOUR ANTHRAX CASES
On October 19, 2001, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) published "Update: Investigation of Anthrax Associated with
Intentional Exposure and Interim Public Health Guidelines, October 2001" in Morbidity and Mortality
Weekly Report (MMWR). The synopsis reads as follows:
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Four confirmed U.S. cases of anthrax have resulted from intentional use of
Bacillus anthracis spores. These are the first confirmed cases of anthrax associated with
intentional exposure. For rapid identification of threat agents, such as B. anthracis, states should have access to
the Laboratory Response Network for Bioterrorism which links state and local public health laboratories
with advanced capacity laboratories. Recommended regimens for postexposure prophylaxis are available. This report
includes information on the three clinical forms of anthrax (inhalation, gastrointestinal and cutaneous);
recommended postexposure treatment regimens; handling letters/packages
and environmental management of exposed areas; handling laboratory specimens possibly infected with anthrax (for
healthcare providers); and handling anthrax and other biological agent threats (for the general public).
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To obtain the complete text of this article online, go to: http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm5041a1.htm
To obtain a camera-ready (PDF format) copy of this issue of MMWR, go to: http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/PDF/wk/mm5041.pdf
HOW TO OBTAIN A FREE ELECTRONIC SUBSCRIPTION TO THE MMWR:
To obtain a free electronic subscription to the "Morbidity and Mortality Weekly
Report" (MMWR), visit CDC's MMWR website at: http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr
Select "Free MMWR Subscription" from the menu at the left of the screen. Once
you have submitted the required information, weekly issues of the MMWR and all new ACIP statements
(published as MMWR's "Recommendations and Reports") will arrive automatically by e-mail.
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October 22, 2001
CDC PUBLISHES GUIDE TO RECOGNIZING DISEASE CAUSED BY BIOLOGIC AGENTS
CDC published "Recognition of Illness Associated with the Intentional Release
of a Biologic Agent" in the October 19, 2001, issue of Morbidity and Mortality
Weekly Report (MMWR). The article recommends heightened surveillance for unusual disease occurrences following the terrorist attacks
in September. Specific clinical features of six agents are discussed. The synopsis reads as
follows:
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This report provides basic guidance that can be implemented to improve recognition of potential biological agents.
After the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, state and local health departments initiated various
activities to improve surveillance and response, ranging from enhancing communications to conducting special surveillance
projects. Healthcare providers, clinical laboratory personnel, infection control professionals, and
health departments play critical and complementary roles in recognizing and responding to illness caused by the release
of biologic agents. This report includes basic information for healthcare providers for recognizing anthrax,
plague, botulism, smallpox, inhalational tularemia, and hemorrhagic fever.
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To obtain the complete text of this article online, go to: http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm5041a2.htm
To obtain a camera-ready (PDF format) copy of this issue of MMWR, go to: http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/PDF/wk/mm5041.pdf
HOW TO OBTAIN A FREE ELECTRONIC SUBSCRIPTION TO THE MMWR: see story #5.
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October 22, 2001
IOM IMMUNIZATION SAFETY REVIEW COMMITTEE MEETING IS SET FOR NOVEMBER 12
The fourth open public meeting of the Institute of Medicine (IOM) Immunization Safety Review Committee will be held on
November 12, 2001, at the Aljoya Conference Center in Seattle, Washington.
The topic of the meeting is the "possible association between multiple immunizations in newborns and infants and
immune system dysfunction." A draft agenda will be posted on IOM's website by next Monday, October 29, at:
http://www.iom.edu/imsafety
If you plan to attend, contact IOM by November 5, 2001. Call (202) 334-1342 or email
imsafety@nas.edu
Hotel information is available.
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