Issue
Number 365
February 10, 2003
CONTENTS OF THIS ISSUE
- New! IAC releases results from its 2002 Hepatitis B Birth Dose
Survey
- New! IAC's latest professional education pieces make a strong
case for giving all newborns hepatitis B vaccine in the hospital
- Revised: IAC updates the popular "Questions Frequently Asked
About Hepatitis B" information piece
- Revised: IAC updates dosage information on its "Hepatitis A &
B Vaccines" professional education piece
- Revised! CDC's updated MMR Vaccine Information Statement
available on IAC's website in three languages
- New! CD-ROM on smallpox vaccination techniques now available
- Open meeting of IOM Committee on Smallpox Vaccination Program
Implementation set for February 13 in Washington, DC
- CDC establishes Smallpox Vaccine Adverse Events Monitoring
System
- CDC's AFIX strategy helps providers raise immunization
coverage levels
- CDC releases guidelines on laboratory testing and result
reporting of antibody to hepatitis C virus
- CDC compares HIV/STD risk differences for men who have sex
with men and disclose their sexual orientation and those who do not
disclose
- Reader alert! February 19 is deadline for abstracts for the
National HIV Prevention Conference
- New edition! Comprehensive book on infection control in child
care and preschool settings is updated
- Free! Get your "Immunization . . . Not Just Kids' Stuff"
posters while they last
- New! European Vaccine Manufacturers announce website launch
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February 10, 2003
NEW! IAC RELEASES RESULTS FROM ITS 2002 HEPATITIS B BIRTH DOSE SURVEY
In January, the Immunization Action Coalition (CDC) released "Results from
IAC's 2002 Hepatitis B Birth Dose Survey."
In October 2002, IAC emailed this survey to 50 state and 6 local hepatitis B
coordinators. The survey asked seven questions to determine if and how
physicians and hospitals had changed their perinatal hepatitis B virus
prevention practices since the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's
Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices issued its 2001 recommendation
that all newborns be given the hepatitis B vaccine before hospital
discharge.
The 16 pages of results quote the coordinators' responses at length, giving
an in-depth view of the current status of perinatal hepatitis B vaccination
practices.
To access results of the 2002 survey, go to:
http://www.immunize.org/birthdose/survey02.htm
To read the results of last year's (2001) birth dose survey, go to:
http://www.immunize.org/birthdose/survey.htm
To access numerous resources about the birth dose from IAC's birth dose web
page, go to:
http://www.immunize.org/birthdose
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February 10, 2003
NEW! IAC'S LATEST PROFESSIONAL EDUCATION PIECES MAKE A STRONG
CASE FOR GIVING ALL NEWBORNS HEPATITIS B VACCINE IN THE
HOSPITAL
The Immunization Action Coalition (IAC) supports giving ALL
newborns hepatitis B vaccine prior to hospital discharge as
the best way to protect them from contracting hepatitis B virus
(HBV) infection. For this reason IAC has recently produced four
new professional education pieces on this topic.
Following are brief descriptions of the pieces:
- "States Report Hundreds of Medical Errors in Perinatal
Hepatitis B Prevention: Avoid Tragic Mistakes--Vaccinate
Newborns against HBV in the Hospital," by Teresa A.
Anderson, DDS, MPH, and Deborah L. Wexler, MD. 2 pages;
published 1/03.
This piece summarizes numerous case reports that illustrate
four common medical errors regarding perinatal HBV prevention.
The authors conclude it is impossible to eliminate human error
and urge giving the birth dose to all newborns before hospital
discharge.
To access the piece in HTML format, go to:
http://www.immunize.org/catg.d/p2062.htm
To access it in camera-ready (PDF) format, go to:
http://www.immunize.org/catg.d/p2062.pdf
- "Unprotected Babies: Two More Infants Chronically Infected
with Hepatitis B Virus . . . the Medical Errors Continue."
1 page; published 1/03.
The piece describes two cases involving HBsAg-positive mothers
whose babies did not receive appropriate postexposure
prophylaxis before hospital discharge. Both children have
become chronically infected with HBV.
To access the piece in HTML format, go to:
http://www.immunize.org/catg.d/p2127.htm
To access it in camera-ready (PDF) format, go to:
http://www.immunize.org/catg.d/p2127.pdf
- "Hospitals & Doctors Sued for Failing to Protect Newborns
from Hepatitis B Virus Transmission." 1 page; published 1/03.
Failure to appropriately prophylax five infants born to
HBsAg-positive mothers resulted in four instances of a
hospital, obstetrician, and/or pediatrician being sued and one
physician losing his license to practice medicine.
To access the piece in HTML format, go to:
http://www.immunize.org/catg.d/p2061.htm
To access it in camera-ready (PDF) format, go to:
http://www.immunize.org/catg.d/p2061.pdf
- "Give the Birth Dose . . . Hepatitis B Vaccine at Birth
Saves Lives!" by Deborah L. Wexler, MD. 1 page; revised 10/02.
Citing the statistic that 90% of perinatal HBV infections can
be prevented by postexposure prophylaxis given within 12 hours
of birth, the author makes the case for the birth dose by
giving examples of the many different ways unvaccinated
infants become infected.
To access the piece in HTML format, go to:
http://www.immunize.org/catg.d/p2125.htm
To access it in camera-ready (PDF) format, go to:
http://www.immunize.org/catg.d/p2125.pdf
To access an array of additional information about the birth
dose from the IAC website, go to:
http://www.immunize.org/birthdose
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February 10, 2003
REVISED: IAC UPDATES THE POPULAR "QUESTIONS FREQUENTLY ASKED
ABOUT HEPATITIS B" INFORMATION PIECE
Since the Immunization Action Coalition (IAC) first published
"Questions Frequently Asked About Hepatitis B" in 1993, it has
been one of our most requested publications.
Thoroughly revised in January 2003, the four-page piece now
reflects current information on the following: disease
statistics, interpreting hepatitis B blood test results, and
immunization recommendations. Phone numbers and web addresses
for educational, support, and advocacy organizations have also
been updated.
To access the revised piece in camera-ready (PDF) format, go to:
http://www.immunize.org/catg.d/p4090.pdf
To access it in HTML format, go to:
http://www.immunize.org/catg.d/p4090.htm
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February 10, 2003
REVISED: IAC UPDATES DOSAGE INFORMATION ON ITS "HEPATITIS A & B
VACCINES" PROFESSIONAL EDUCATION PIECE
The Immunization Action Coalition (IAC) recently updated
"Hepatitis A & B Vaccines: Be Sure Your Patient Gets the Correct
Dose!" The one-page professional education piece now has
information on the newly licensed combination vaccine Pediarix.
To obtain the revised piece in HTML format, go to:
http://www.immunize.org/catg.d/2081ab.htm
To obtain it in camera-ready (PDF) format, go to:
http://www.immunize.org/catg.d/2081ab.pdf
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February 10, 2003
REVISED! CDC'S UPDATED MMR VACCINE INFORMATION STATEMENT
AVAILABLE ON IAC'S WEBSITE IN THREE LANGUAGES
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently
made two modifications to the MMR Vaccine Information Statement
(VIS). The revised version has added a web address for the
Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System and updated the web
address for the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program.
Dated 1/15/03, the revised VIS is now available on CDC's website
in English. It is also on the website of the Immunization Action
Coalition (IAC) in English, Spanish, and Turkish. IAC thanks
Mustafa Kozanoglu, MD, a pediatrician in Adana, Turkey, and
Murat Serbest, MD, pediatric hematologist, for providing the
Turkish translation.
To obtain an English-language copy of the revised VIS in camera-ready (PDF) format, go to:
http://www.immunize.org/vis/mmr03.pdf
To obtain a Spanish-language copy of it in camera-ready (PDF)
format, go to:
http://www.immunize.org/vis/spmmr.pdf
To obtain a Turkish-language copy of it in camera-ready (PDF)
format, go to:
http://www.immunize.org/vis/tu_mmr03.pdf
For information about the use of VISs, as well as VISs for
additional vaccines (some in up to 28 languages), visit IAC's
website at: http://www.immunize.org/vis
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February 10, 2003
NEW! CD-ROM ON SMALLPOX VACCINATION TECHNIQUES NOW AVAILABLE
California Distance Learning Health Network (CDLHN) announced a
new CD-ROM, "Smallpox Vaccination Techniques: The Comprehensive
Guide to Screening, Inoculation, and Post-Care." Described as
self-directed and interactive, the program can be used alone or
can supplement and reinforce formal classroom training.
Intended for nurses, inoculation practitioners, technicians, and
health care managers, the CD-ROM teaches the following:
- The characteristics of smallpox
- How to screen potential vaccinees
- How to administer smallpox vaccine
- Common reactions following vaccination
- How to care for the vaccination site
The California Department of Health Services Immunization Branch
and Emergency Preparedness Office sponsored the program.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention provided its
content.
To order a copy of the $20 CD-ROM, contact CDLHN at
cdlhn@projects.sdsu.edu, call (619) 594-5933, fax (619) 594-2111, or visit
http://www.cdlhn.com/default.cfm
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February 10, 2003
OPEN MEETING OF IOM COMMITTEE ON SMALLPOX VACCINATION PROGRAM
IMPLEMENTATION SET FOR FEBRUARY 13 IN WASHINGTON, DC
The Committee on Smallpox Vaccination Program Implementation of
the Institute of Medicine (IOM) will hold an open meeting
February 13 from 9 am to 5:45 pm. Representatives from the
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Department of
Defense will make presentations on various components of the
vaccination program.
Space is limited, and registration is required. To access the
draft agenda and registration information from the IOM website,
go to: www.iom.edu/smallpox
The meeting will also be webcast in real time the day of the
meeting. Details on how to participate will be available at
www.iom.edu/smallpox closer to the meeting date.
For additional information, email smallpox@nas.edu or call Amber
Close at (202) 334-1707.
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February 10, 2003
CDC ESTABLISHES SMALLPOX VACCINE ADVERSE EVENTS MONITORING
SYSTEM
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) published a
Notice to Readers, "Smallpox Vaccine Adverse Events Monitoring
and Response System for the First Stage of the Smallpox
Vaccination Program" in the February 7 issue of the "Morbidity
and Mortality Weekly Report" (MMWR).
A summary made available to the press is reprinted below in its
entirety.
**********************
CDC and the State Health Departments have established a system
for the monitoring and responding to adverse events following
smallpox vaccination.
Information from this system will be communicated on a regular
basis to vaccine safety oversight groups, to public health and
medical communities, and to the media. This system will be used
to: 1) monitor the occurrence of known events after vaccination,
and identify potential new unexpected adverse events; 2) monitor
the effectiveness of screening for contraindications to
vaccination; 3) identify the potential need for new
contraindications to vaccination; and 4) coordinate the
distribution of VIG and cidofovir, if these are needed for
treatment of patients with certain severe adverse events
**********************
To obtain the complete text of the article online, go to:
http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm5205a5.htm
To obtain a camera-ready (PDF format) copy of this issue of
MMWR, go to:
http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/PDF/wk/mm5205.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 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 email.
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February 10, 2003
CDC'S AFIX STRATEGY HELPS PROVIDERS RAISE IMMUNIZATION COVERAGE
LEVELS
Described as a "continuous quality improvement strategy," AFIX
is promoted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
(CDC) as a way to help providers bring immunization levels up to
national goals. State and local health department staff or
contracted organizations offer AFIX to public and private
healthcare providers, using funds primarily awarded by CDC.
There is no charge to participating providers.
AFIX has four components:
- Assessment of randomly selected medical charts, using
provided software to evaluate the coverage level of
individual vaccines and combination series
- Feedback sessions conducted by the state or local health
department to give the provider the assessment information
and devise strategies to increase coverage levels
- Incentive programs that recognize immunization providers
who have significantly improved their coverage levels
- Exchange of ideas and information among providers to
improve provider performance and develop best practices
Results of using the strategy are impressive. The Indiana
Immunization Program, winner of the 2002 AFIX Award, saw the
overall coverage level for the 4:3:1 series in assessed provider
offices climb from 53.6% in 1999 to 74.9% in 2001. Similar
increases were shown in the 4:3:1:3:3 series, which rose from
49.4% in 1999 to 71.6% in 2001.
For detailed information about AFIX from the website of the
National Immunization Program, go to:
http://www.cdc.gov/nip/afix
To speak with someone about AFIX, call Amy Kirsch or Nancy
Fenlon at (404) 639-8222 or email afix@cdc.gov
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February 10, 2003
CDC RELEASES GUIDELINES ON LABORATORY TESTING AND RESULT
REPORTING OF ANTIBODY TO HEPATITIS C VIRUS
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) published
"Guidelines for Laboratory Testing and Result Reporting of
Antibody to Hepatitis C Virus" in the February 7 issue of the
"MMWR Recommendations and Reports" (MMWR).
The Division of Viral Hepatitis of the National Center for
Infectious Diseases prepared the guidelines. Parts of the
summary are reprinted below.
**************************
Testing for the presence of antibody to hepatitis C virus (anti-HCV) is recommended for initially identifying persons with
hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. . . .
These guidelines expand recommendations for anti-HCV testing to
include an option for reflex supplemental testing based on
screening-test--positive signal-to-cut--off (s/co) ratios. . . .These guidelines were developed on the basis of available
knowledge of CDC staff in consultation with representatives from
the Food and Drug Administration and public health, hospital,
and independent laboratories. Adoption of these guidelines by
all public and private laboratories that perform in vitro
diagnostic anti-HCV testing will improve the accuracy and
utility of reported anti-HCV test results for counseling and
medical evaluation of patients by health-care professionals and
for surveillance by public health departments.
***********************
To obtain the complete text of the guidelines online, go to:
http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/rr5203a1.htm
To obtain a camera-ready (PDF format) copy of the guidelines, go
to:
http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/PDF/rr/rr5203.pdf
The PDF version includes a free CDC-sponsored continuing
education activity that can be completed online or submitted via
U.S. mail for CME, CDU, or CNE credit. Simply read the MMWR
report, answer the questions at the end of the report, and
follow instructions for submitting your answers.
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February 10, 2003
CDC COMPARES HIV/STD RISK DIFFERENCES FOR MEN WHO HAVE SEX WITH
MEN AND DISCLOSE THEIR SEXUAL ORIENTATION AND THOSE WHO DO NOT
DISCLOSE
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) published
"HIV/STD Risks in Young Men Who Have Sex with Men Who Do Not
Disclose Their Sexual Orientation--Six U.S. Cities, 1994-2002"
in the February 7 issue of the "Morbidity and Mortality Weekly
Report" (MMWR).
To better understand the prevention needs of young men who have
sex with men (MSM), CDC analyzed data from the Young Men's
Survey (YMS) to compare HIV/STD risk differences between MSM who
disclose their sexual orientation and those who do not.
(Conducted during 1994-2000, YMS surveyed men aged 15-29 years
who attended MSM-identified venues in six U.S. cities.) A
summary made available to the press recaps the CDC's analysis;
it is reprinted below in its entirety.
***********************
CDC study finds high prevalence of HIV among African American
men who have sex with men, but do not disclose their sexual
orientation.
African American men who have sex with men (MSM), but who do not
disclose their sexual orientation (nondisclosers), have a high
prevalence of HIV infection (14%); nearly three times higher
than nondisclosing MSMs of all other races/ethnicities combined
(5%). Confirming previous research, the study of 5,589 MSM, aged
15-29 years, in six U.S. cities found that African American MSM
were more likely not to disclose their sexual orientation
compared with white MSM (18% vs. 8%). HIV-infected nondisclosers
were less likely to know their HIV status (98% were unaware of
their infection compared with 75% of HIV-positive disclosers),
and more likely to have had recent female sex partners. These
findings underscore the need for expanded HIV/STD testing and
prevention services for nondisclosing MSM, particularly African
Americans, and their male and female sex partners.
***********************
To obtain the complete text of the article online, go to:
http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm5205a2.htm
To obtain a camera-ready (PDF format) copy of this issue of
MMWR, go to:
http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/PDF/wk/mm5205.pdf
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February 10, 2003
READER ALERT! FEBRUARY 19 IS DEADLINE FOR ABSTRACTS FOR THE
NATIONAL HIV PREVENTION CONFERENCE
The conference organizers for the 2003 National HIV Prevention
Conference have extended the abstract deadline to February 19.
To submit an abstract, go to:
http://www.2003hivprevconf.org/abstracts.asp
The conference will be held July 27-30 in Atlanta. The
registration deadline is June 16. For information on the
conference program, registration, exhibiting, and
accommodations, go to: http://www.2003hivprevconf.org
For additional information on submitting an abstract or on the
conference in general, call (866) 277-6313 or email
info@2003HIVPrevConf.org
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February 10, 2003
NEW EDITION! COMPREHENSIVE BOOK ON INFECTION CONTROL IN
CHILD CARE AND PRESCHOOL SETTINGS IS UPDATED
If you're involved in health care in daycare or preschool
settings, you will find the sixth edition of "Infection Control
in the Child Care Center and Preschool" a useful addition to
your professional library. Compiled from contributions from 40
noted experts, the book is edited by Leigh B. Grossman, MD,
Professor of Pediatrics and Chief of the Division of Pediatric
Infectious Diseases at the University of Virginia Health System.
The book's first three sections explain how infections are
spread and present up-to-date guidelines on enrollment
requirements, staff education, employee health, care of high-risk children, and investigation and management of outbreaks.
The fourth and concluding section comprises 55 chapters on
specific pathogens.
Published by Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, the book retails for
$44.95. To order online from the publisher, go to:
http://www.lww.com/products/?501521200
To order by phone, call (800) 638-3030 or by fax, dial (301)
223-2400.
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February 10, 2003
FREE! GET YOUR "IMMUNIZATION . . . NOT JUST KIDS' STUFF" POSTERS
WHILE THEY LAST
The Immunization Action Coalition (IAC) is giving away the adult
immunization poster "Immunization . . . Not Just Kids' Stuff."
IAC gratefully acknowledges the New York State Department of
Health for giving us the artwork to print the poster a few years
ago.
If you are involved in adult immunization, hang a poster in your
waiting room, hallways, and exam rooms to raise awareness about
the importance of adult immunization. The 7" x 14" two-color
(peach and purple) poster is mailed folded in half (7" x 7").
Supplies are limited (750 left), so please make your request as
soon as possible in quantities from 1 to 20. Orders for free
posters come in quickly and are filled on a first-come, first-served basis. To view an enlarged image of the poster online, go
to:
http://www.immunize.org/adultposter/posterview.htm
Request the poster online at
http://www.immunize.org/adultposter
When you order, you will be asked to specify the following:
- The number of posters you want (limit is 20); shipped only
to U.S. addresses
- How you plan to use the posters
- Your name and complete contact information
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February 10, 2003
NEW! EUROPEAN VACINE MANUFACTURERS ANNOUNCE WEBSITE LAUNCH
The European Vaccine Manufacturers (EVM), a group within the
European Federation of Pharmaceutical Industries and
Associations, has launched a website at
http://www.evm-vaccines.org
In a press release issued February 3, EVM said the website aims
to articulate European vaccine manufacturers' positions on
various European Union issues affecting the European vaccine
industry. It also provides a wide range of information about
vaccination as a crucial tool in combating the worldwide problem
of communicable diseases.
For additional information, email Diana Steimle of EVM at
dianasteimle@efpia.org or
info@evm-vaccines.org
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