Issue
Number 472
July 26, 2004
CONTENTS OF THIS ISSUE
- July issue of CDC's "Immunization Works!" electronic newsletter now
available on the NIP website
- Two terrific videos teach vaccine administration, and storage and
handling
- New: WHO and GAVI launch an immunization financing web section
- Indiana Fall Awards Conference scheduled for October 4 and 8
- New translation: IAC's "Summary of Recommendations for Adult
Immunization" now available in Turkish
- CDC reports on recent polio eradication efforts in Afghanistan and
Pakistan
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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.
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July 26, 2004
JULY ISSUE OF CDC'S "IMMUNIZATION WORKS!" ELECTRONIC NEWSLETTER NOW
AVAILABLE ON THE NIP WEBSITE
The July 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 July issue has already appeared in previous
issues of "IAC EXPRESS." One issue of particular importance to the
immunization community is the recommendation to reinstate the third dose of
pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV). CDC published "Notice to Readers:
Updated Recommendations for Use of Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine:
Reinstatement of the Third Dose" in the July 9 issue of MMWR. The
recommendation became effective on July 8.
To access a web-text (HTML) version of the MMWR article, go to:
http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm5326a7.htm
"IAC EXPRESS" published an article about the recommendation on July 12. To
access the "IAC EXPRESS" article, go to:
http://www.immunize.org/genr.d/issue469.htm#n1
Following is the text of four articles from the July issue of "Immunization
Works!" that we have not covered.
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OTHER IMMUNIZATION NEWS
NEW STUDIES SHOW PARENTAL VACCINE SAFETY CONCERNS MAY POSE RISK TO
IMMUNIZATION RATES: Two studies published this month in "Pediatrics" link
parental vaccine safety concerns to lack of immunizations. The first study,
by Dr. Philip Smith and colleagues at CDC's National Immunization Program,
assessed whether the characteristics of children with no vaccinations differ
from those of under-vaccinated children, and identified states with high
rates and counties with large numbers of unvaccinated children. The study
found that under-vaccinated children tend to be black, have younger,
unmarried mothers who do not have college degrees, live in households near
the poverty level, and live in a central city. In contrast unvaccinated
children tend to be white, to have married mothers who have college degrees,
live in households with annual incomes exceeding $75,000/year, and have
parents who express concerns over the safety of vaccines and indicate that
medical doctors have little influence over vaccination decisions for their
child. The results also found that unvaccinated children cluster
geographically, increasing the risk of transmitting vaccine preventable
diseases to both unvaccinated and under-vaccinated children. The estimated
number of unvaccinated children aged 19-35 months increased significantly
between 1995 and 2000 from 14,719 in 1995 to 24,073 in 2000.
The second study, conducted by Dr. Deborah Gust and colleagues, examined the
attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors of parents whose children were
under-immunized for two or more vaccines that have recently received
negative attention, and compared them with parents whose child was fully
immunized for recommended vaccines. The results indicate that while
socioeconomic, family, and health care factors are key contributors for the
majority of children who are not up-to-date, about 15% of under-immunization
can be attributed to negative parental attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors. In
addition, although overall immunization rates remain high and vaccine safety
concerns are more common among parents of under-immunized children, many
parents of fully immunized children also demonstrated similar attitudes,
beliefs, and behaviors, suggesting a potential risk of currently high
vaccination rates in the U.S.
FACT SHEETS FOR PARENTS AND HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS ON THE IOM REPORT ON
VACCINES AND AUTISM: The fact sheets for parents and healthcare
professionals summarize important conclusions from a report by the Institute
of Medicine (IOM) on Vaccines and Autism. If you are involved in the
administration of vaccines, you likely are familiar with allegations
asserting that vaccines cause autism. In fact, you may have had patients, or
their parents, raise concerns about vaccines and autism. In one study, 27%
of family practitioners and pediatricians reported that parents sometimes or
often raise concerns about possible neurologic effects of vaccination. The
IOM's conclusions on vaccines and autism may be helpful to you in reassuring
concerned parents about the safety of vaccines. In their 2004 report, the
IOM concluded that neither thimerosal-containing vaccines nor MMR vaccine
are associated with autism. The fact sheets can be found at
http://www.cdc.gov/nip/news/iom-thim5-18-04.htm
2004 NIP ANNUAL REPORT & SURVEY: The National Immunization Program (NIP) at
CDC released its 2004 Annual Report in May during the National Immunization
Conference. If you have not received a copy of the report, you may download
the report or order a print copy by visiting
http://www.cdc.gov/nip/webutil/about/annual-rpts/ar2004/2004annual-rpt.htm
This year's report includes highlights about the distinguished career of
Walt Orenstein, NIP's former director, and several innovative features,
including a NIP event calendar, an index of topics, and a special section
covering individual honors and achievements. One unusual new feature is a
survey card that lets readers anonymously evaluate the annual report. NIP
wants to know if the annual report serves its readers and provides
information they need. The survey results let NIP know how the report is
used and how it can be improved. To submit the survey, you can print the
post-paid survey, complete it, and mail it to NIP. You may also complete the
survey online at
http://www.cdc.gov/nip/webutil/about/annual-rpts/feedback2004.htm
Please help NIP to serve you better by sending in your survey.
DR. WALTER A. ORENSTEIN RECEIVES SHEPARD AWARD: The Charles C. Shepard
Science Award for Lifetime Scientific Achievement was awarded to Walter
Orenstein, MD, for his 26 years of service in the CDC's National
Immunization Program (NIP). During his tenure at NIP, Dr. Orenstein led
successful efforts to combat and markedly reduce the occurrence of once
common vaccine-preventable diseases of childhood, including meningitis from
Haemophilus influenzae type b, rubella, varicella, and invasive pneumococcal
disease. The work accomplished under his leadership has been critical to the
development of national vaccine policy and global immunization strategies.
Of particular note are the elimination of indigenous measles in the United
States, the successful introduction of five new vaccines for routine use and
the resultant decrease in the incidence of diseases prevented by these
vaccines, the development of a national surveillance system for immunization
coverage among preschool children, improvements in the surveillance and
investigation of vaccine-associated adverse events, development of
evidence-based strategies to improve vaccination coverage, and progress in
global polio eradication and measles control. Dr. Orenstein has published
more than 140 peer-reviewed publications, authored nearly three dozen
chapters in the professional literature, and co-edited the 3rd and 4th
editions of "Vaccines," the premier textbook on immunization. Recently
retired from CDC, Dr. Orenstein has joined the Emory University School of
Medicine as director of a new Program for Vaccine Policy and Development and
associate director of the Emory Vaccine Center. He also serves as associate
director of the Southeastern Center for Emerging Biologic Threats, a
regional partnership led by Emory.
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To access the complete July issue from the NIP website, go to:
http://www.cdc.gov/nip/news/newsltrs/imwrks/2004/200407.htm
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July 26, 2004
TWO TERRIFIC VIDEOS TEACH VACCINE ADMINISTRATION, AND STORAGE AND HANDLING
Before you know it, your office or clinic will be flooded with children and
adolescents seeking back-to-school vaccinations. Once they're gone, people
of all ages will start showing up for influenza immunization. The fastest,
surest, and most cost effective way to ready yourself and your immunization
staff for the busy season ahead is to order and view the two videos
described below.
THESE VIDEOS WILL TRAIN YOUR STAFF TO ADMINISTER VACCINES AND TO HANDLE AND
STORE THEM PROPERLY. No practice or clinic can afford to be without them.
"IMMUNIZATION TECHNIQUES: SAFE, EFFECTIVE, CARING" Developed by the
California Department of Health Services Immunization Branch and a team of
national experts, this 35-minute video is designed for use as a "hands-on"
instructional program. It can be used to train new staff and to provide a
refresher course for experienced staff who administer vaccines.
It teaches best practices for administering intramuscular (IM) and
subcutaneous (SC) vaccines to infants, children, and adults and discusses
the following:
- Anatomic sites
- Choice of needle size
- Vaccines and routes of administration
- How to "draw up" doses of vaccine from a
vial
People of various ages--from infants to
adults--are vaccinated in the video to demonstrate these techniques.
The video comes with presenter's notes that include instructional
objectives, pre- and post-tests, photos showing vaccination sites
appropriate for vaccinating people of different ages, and a skills checklist
to help you document that your staff is well trained.
IAC distributes the video and presenter's notes at $25 per set (to U.S.
addresses). For additional information about the video and to order online,
or by mail, fax, or purchase order, go to:
https://www.immunize.org/iztech
For additional information, contact IAC by email at
admin@immunize.org or by phone at (651) 647-9009.
"HOW TO PROTECT YOUR VACCINE SUPPLY"
Produced by CDC in 2004, this 25-minute video presents
practical, up-to-date information on all aspects of vaccine
storage and handling. It covers temperature monitoring
equipment, required documentation and record-keeping, storage
and handling procedures, and action steps to take when a problem
occurs.
ORDERING FROM NIP. You can order one free copy from NIP. To
order online, go to the online order form at
https://www2.cdc.gov/nchstp_od/PIWeb/niporderform.asp The video
is product number 00-6526. A BETA master tape is also available
if you want to reproduce the video in bulk.
To order by phone, call the CDC Immunization Information Hotline
at (800) 232-2522.
To play the video online, using Windows Media Player, go to:
http://www.cdc.gov/nip/publications/default.htm#videos
ORDERING FROM IAC. You can order single or multiple copies from
IAC for $15 per copy (discount pricing is available for orders
of 20 or more). For additional information about the video and
to order online, or by mail, fax, or purchase order, go to:
http://www.immunize.org/vachandling
For additional information, contact IAC by email at
admin@immunize.org or by phone at (651) 647-9009.
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July 26, 2004
NEW: WHO AND GAVI LAUNCH AN IMMUNIZATION FINANCING WEB SECTION
WHO and the Global Alliance for Vaccines & Immunization (GAVI)
recently announced the availability of a new web section on
WHO's website. Titled Immunization Financing, the web section
was developed by WHO's Immunization, Vaccines, and Biologics
department under GAVI auspices. It is intended as an online
resource for GAVI partners, international donors, policy makers,
health planners, immunization program managers, and researchers
who seek and share information about immunization financing.
To access the new web section, go to:
http://www.who.int/immunization_financing/en
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July 26, 2004
INDIANA FALL AWARDS CONFERENCE SCHEDULED FOR OCTOBER 4 AND 8
The Indiana State Department of Health Immunization program will
hold the Indiana Fall Awards Conference 2004 on two dates and at
two Indianapolis locations. The October 4 conference will be
held at Indianapolis Marriott North; the October 8 conference is
scheduled for Primo South Banquet & Conference Center.
The program at both conference venues is the same. Both offer
workshops on basic immunization information, influenza,
pneumococcal vaccine and disease, and the Indiana Immunization
Registry.
The conference is free; registration is required by September
10. For registration information and the conference agenda, go
to: http://www.in.gov/isdh/programs/immunization/events.htm
For additional information, contact Shannon Goheen by email at
smgoheen@hotmail.com or by phone at (317) 847-7368, or contact
Jennifer McCarthy by email at jen_dolphin79@hotmail.com or
by phone at (317) 435-1319.
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July 26, 2004
NEW TRANSLATION: IAC'S "SUMMARY OF RECOMMENDATIONS FOR ADULT
IMMUNIZATION" NOW AVAILABLE IN TURKISH
Updated in July, IAC's "Summary of Recommendations for Adult
Immunization" is now available in Turkish. IAC gratefully
acknowledges Doctors Mustafa Kozanoglu and Murat Serbest of
Adana, Turkey, for the translation.
A two-sided reference table on appropriate use, scheduling, and
contraindications of adult vaccines, the revised adult summary
now reflects ACIP's latest recommendations for adult influenza
immunization.
To obtain the summary in ready to copy (PDF) format in Turkish,
go to: http://www.immunize.org/catg.d/p2011tu.pdf
To obtain it in ready-to-copy (PDF) format in English, go to:
http://www.immunize.org/catg.d/p2011b.pdf
To obtain it in web-text (HTML) format in English, go to:
http://www.immunize.org/catg.d/p2011b.htm
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July 26, 2004
CDC REPORTS ON RECENT POLIO ERADICATION EFFORTS IN AFGHANISTAN
AND PAKISTAN
CDC published "Progress Toward Poliomyelitis Eradication--Afghanistan and Pakistan, January 2003-May 2004" in the July 23
issue of MMWR. A summary made available to the press is
reprinted below in its entirety.
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While substantial progress toward polio eradication has been
made in Pakistan and Afghanistan, significant challenges remain.
The two countries must work together closely to interrupt
poliovirus transmission, which can only occur if both countries
maintain sensitive surveillance systems and further improve the
quality of their supplemental immunization activities (SIAs),
especially in areas where cultural practices limit access and in
areas that are not secure.
Since the 1988 World Health Assembly resolution to eradicate
poliomyelitis, the number of countries where polio is endemic
decreased from approximately 125 to six by the end of 2003.
Global polio cases decreased from 1,918 in 2002 to 784 in 2003,
and approximately 340 through June 2004. In 2003, poliovirus
importations were reported in 10 countries. Pakistan and
Afghanistan are two countries where polio remains endemic.
Pakistan experienced an overall increase in the number of polio
cases in 2003 compared with 2002; however, the increased number,
intensity, and quality of SIAs in 2003 and 2004 have resulted in
a decrease in polio incidence that began in mid-2003.
Afghanistan reported eight cases of polio in 2003 and three to
date in 2004. Intense cross-border migration continues in both
directions, favoring continuous virus movement between both
countries.
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To access a web-text (HTML) version of the complete article, go
to: http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm5328a3.htm
To access a ready-to-copy (PDF) version of this issue of MMWR,
go to: http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/PDF/wk/mm5328.pdf
To receive a FREE electronic subscription to MMWR (which
includes new ACIP statements), go to:
http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/mmwrsubscribe.html |
