Issue
Number 519
April 4, 2005
CONTENTS OF THIS ISSUE
- Important: CDC issues Dr. Stephen Cochi's message about
the publication of a new book on thimerosal and autism
- FDA approves new treatment for hepatitis B virus
infection
- CDC provides information on influenza vaccine prebooking
and distribution strategies for the 2005-06 influenza season
- April 7 is World Health Day
- Recommendations for improving high-risk adults'
influenza, PPV, and hepatitis B vaccination coverage now available
- CDC reports on estimated influenza vaccination coverage
among U.S. adults and children--September 1, 2004-January 31, 2005
- April 29 is the application deadline for NPI's 2005
Excellence in Immunization Awards
- Big savings: IAC's smallpox immunization record cards
available at half price--while supplies last
- CDC reports on an inadvertent laboratory exposure to
Bacillus anthracis in California in 2004
- New: Two rotavirus vaccine resources now available
online
- Measles cases surge in Nigeria
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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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April 4, 2005
IMPORTANT: CDC ISSUES DR. STEPHEN COCHI'S MESSAGE ABOUT THE PUBLICATION OF A
NEW BOOK ON THIMEROSAL AND AUTISM
On April 1, CDC issued a message from Dr. Stephen Cochi, acting director,
NIP, regarding the release of a new book on thimerosal and autism. Titled
"Evidence of Harm--Mercury in Vaccines and the Autism Epidemic: A Medical
Controversy," the book will be heavily promoted in upcoming months and may
cause parents to question the safety of vaccines. Dr. Cochi's message is
reprinted below in its entirety.
***********************
This message is to inform you of the release of a new book entitled
"Evidence of Harm--Mercury in Vaccines and the Autism Epidemic: A Medical
Controversy," authored by David Kirby, a journalist and freelance writer.
The book is a "look back" at issues related to thimerosal and vaccines--and
is primarily written from the perspective of people who believe there is an
association between vaccines and autism. Mr. Kirby is on a media tour to
promote the book, a schedule of which can be found at
www.evidenceofharm.com
Autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) are an urgent public health issue, and
affect the lives of too many families. Parents and families who have
children affected by ASD are understandably interested in finding the causes
of this lifelong disability. We appreciate the concern of parents of
children with autism and their desire for information about its cause and
treatment. We are dedicated to understanding better the biological,
environmental, and gene-environmental causes of autism and other
developmental disabilities. There is much that remains unknown about autism.
However, we do know that early identification and intervention can help
improve children's outcomes. CDC continues to support research related to
autism, including studies designed to examine the possible causal
association between autism and other possible environmental causes,
including thimerosal-containing vaccines.
We at CDC are in the process of reviewing Mr. Kirby's book in detail, but
the general issues raised in the book have already been extensively
examined, including by the Institute of Medicine (IOM), in the past few
years. As the IOM concluded in a recent report, the vast majority of
studies, which have involved hundreds of thousands of children in a number
of countries, have failed to find any association between exposure to
thimerosal in vaccines and autism; that is, they have failed to find any
evidence of harm.
CDC places a high priority on vaccine safety and the integrity and
credibility of its vaccine safety research. We welcome attention and
interest on vaccine safety. The public should expect safe vaccines, and the
public is entitled to safe vaccines. CDC is committed to monitoring and
ensuring vaccine safety. We carefully evaluate allegations of harmful
vaccine effects and are prepared to adjust our policies if allegations prove
scientifically valid.
Given the historical nature of the book, it is important to emphasize that
today, with the exception of some influenza (flu) vaccines, none of the
vaccines used in the U.S. to protect preschool children against 12
infectious diseases contains thimerosal as a preservative. Though some flu
vaccines contain thimerosal as a preservative, preservative free, reduced
thimerosal-content influenza vaccines are also available for use in infants,
with the supply expected to increase significantly for the coming next
season.
CDC and a number of agencies within the Department of Health and Human
Services (HHS) have responded to concerns related to the use of thimerosal
as a preservative in some of the recommended childhood vaccines. All
supported, as a proactive and precautionary measure, efforts to remove, as
quickly as possible, the use of thimerosal as a preservative in childhood
vaccines. CDC and the National Institutes of Health (NIH) have funded
studies to assess the health effects of thimerosal as well as assess whether
there is an association between thimerosal and autism, learning or
developmental disabilities, and other adverse health outcomes. Research in
these areas is ongoing. CDC and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) have
encouraged vaccine manufacturers in their efforts to remove thimerosal as a
preservative as fast as possible, and FDA has facilitated the review and
licensing of thimerosal preservative-free vaccines.
To assist you in addressing questions generated by the release of "Evidence
of Harm," we want to remind you of these resources and provide you with
additional talking points:
Stephen L. Cochi, MD, MPH
Acting Director, National Immunization Program
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
***********************
To access a ready-to-print (PDF) version of the talking points, go to:
http://www.immunize.org/news.d/VSDscreen.pdf
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April 4, 2005
FDA APPROVES NEW TREATMENT FOR HEPATITIS B VIRUS INFECTION
On March 29, Bristol-Myers Squibb Company of Princeton, NJ, issued a press
release announcing that FDA approved the company's drug Baraclude (entecavir)
for the treatment of chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection in adults.
The drug is an oral antiviral therapy designed to block replication of HBV
in the body by interfering with the virus's ability to infect cells. It
will be available in the United States as early as April 8.
To access prescribing information from the FDA website, go to:
http://www.fda.gov/cder/foi/label/2005/021797,021798lbl.pdf
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April 4, 2005
CDC PROVIDES INFORMATION ON INFLUENZA VACCINE PREBOOKING AND DISTRIBUTION
STRATEGIES FOR THE 2005-06 INFLUENZA SEASON
CDC published "Influenza Vaccine Prebooking and Distribution Strategies
for the 2005-06 Influenza Season" in the April 1 issue of MMWR. The
article is reprinted below in its entirety, excluding references.
***********************
For the 2004-05 influenza season, CDC, in coordination with the Advisory
Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), issued interim influenza
vaccine use recommendations after Chiron Corporation announced that none
of its inactivated influenza vaccine (Fluvirin) would be available in the
United States. To plan for the upcoming 2005-06 influenza season, CDC has
met with influenza vaccine manufacturers, including those intending to
apply for approval to sell in the United States, to develop supply
projections and distribution strategies, including prebooking (i.e.,
advance ordering of vaccine) and partial shipment of orders to those
customers who prebook. As of March 25, 2005, the supply of inactivated
influenza vaccine projected for the 2005-06 season appeared adequate to
meet the historical demand from persons in the priority groups established
by ACIP during the 2004-05 season. If more vaccine becomes available,
additional groups can also be targeted for vaccination.
PROJECTED VACCINE SUPPLY FOR THE 2005-06 INFLUENZA SEASON
During 2004-2005, Aventis Pasteur (now Sanofi Pasteur, after the merger of
Aventis Pasteur and Sanofi) and MedImmune produced approximately 61
million doses of influenza vaccine for distribution in the United States.
These two manufacturers anticipate producing approximately the same amount
or slightly more doses for the upcoming season. How much, if any,
influenza vaccine will be supplied by Chiron to the U.S. market is not
known. On March 2, 2005, the British Medicines and Healthcare products
Regulatory Agency (MHRA) lifted its October 5, 2004, suspension of
Chiron's license to manufacture influenza vaccine (announcement available
at
http://www.fda.gov/bbs/topics/news/2005/new01160.html). The Food
and Drug Administration (FDA) must also give its approval before this
vaccine can be distributed in the United States. In addition, other
manufacturers are discussing with FDA the possible licensure of influenza
vaccine for the 2005-06 influenza season and beyond.
PREBOOKING AND DISTRIBUTION OF INACTIVATED INFLUENZA VACCINE
The primary method for reducing infections and complications from
influenza is immunoprophylaxis with vaccine. The 2010 national health
target for influenza vaccine coverage in noninstitutionalized adults aged
>=65 years is 90% (objective 14-29a); for noninstitutionalized adults at
high risk aged 18-64 years, the coverage target is 60% (objective 14-29c).
Neither objective has been achieved. Based on data from the Behavioral
Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) survey for the 2004-05 influenza
season, influenza vaccination coverage was estimated at 62.7% for persons
aged >=65 years. For persons aged 18-64 with high-risk conditions,
coverage was estimated at 25.5%, and for healthcare workers with patient
contact, coverage was estimated at 35.7%. For children aged 6-23 months,
coverage was estimated at 48.4% and for children aged 2-17 years with
high-risk conditions, coverage was estimated at 34.8%. When combined with
population estimates for these priority groups, the coverage estimates
correspond to a total of approximately 40 million doses of influenza
vaccine. To achieve 90% coverage in adults aged >=65 years and 60%
coverage for all other priority groups, approximately 70 million doses of
vaccine would be needed (CDC, unpublished data, 2005). The supply of
influenza vaccine projected from Sanofi Pasteur and MedImmune for the
2005-06 influenza season appears sufficient to meet the historical demand
for vaccine by persons in all the priority groups established by ACIP
during the 2004-05 influenza season. If additional vaccine becomes
available above these levels (e.g., as a result of licensure of one or
more additional manufacturers), additional groups can also be targeted for
vaccination during the 2005-06 season.
Given the uncertainty about the number of doses of inactivated influenza
vaccine that might be available for the 2005-06 season, CDC encourages
implementation of a two-tiered prebooking strategy by manufacturers,
distributors, and customers of inactivated vaccine. This prebooking
strategy requires customers of inactivated vaccine to provide two requests
for supplies, using (1) the number of doses needed based on anticipated
demand among persons in the priority groups, in the event vaccine supply
is limited, and (2) the number of doses needed based on priority group
use, plus other groups, if supplies prove sufficient to meet demand from
other persons seeking vaccination.
Whenever feasible, CDC also encourages a distribution strategy in which
partial shipments are first shipped to all prebooked customers, early in
the vaccination season, followed by additional shipments later in the
season. This strategy will enable all providers to administer vaccine
initially to those persons at high risk, even when supplies are limited.
PRIORITY GROUPS FOR PREBOOKING OF INACTIVATED INFLUENZA VACCINE
The following priority groups should be used as a guide for prebooking
orders for inactivated influenza vaccine:
- Persons aged >=65 years.
- Persons aged 2-64 years with underlying
chronic medical conditions.
- All women who will be pregnant during
the influenza season.
- All children aged 6-23 months.
- Healthcare workers involved in direct
patient care.
- Out-of-home caregivers and household
contacts of children aged <6 months.
- Residents of nursing homes and
long-term-care facilities.
- Children aged 6 months-18 years on
chronic aspirin therapy.
These strategies for prebooking and
distribution do not apply to live, attenuated influenza vaccine (LAIV),
manufactured by MedImmune, which can be ordered in the usual manner for
those persons for whom LAIV is indicated. LAIV can be administered to
healthy persons aged 5-49 years who are not pregnant, including healthcare
workers who are not caring for severely immunocompromised patients in
special care units. Further details regarding CDC influenza vaccination
recommendations will be published in April 2005 in the annual Prevention and
Control of Influenza MMWR Recommendations and Reports. In addition, updated
information on inactivated influenza vaccine supply for the 2005-06
influenza season will be provided as it becomes available.
***********************
To access a web-text (HTML) version of the complete article, go to:
http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm5412a4.htm
To access a ready-to-print (PDF) version of this issue of MMWR, go to:
http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/PDF/wk/mm5412.pdf
To receive a FREE electronic subscription to MMWR (which includes new ACIP
statements), go to:
http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/mmwrsubscribe.html
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April 4, 2005
APRIL 7 IS WORLD HEALTH DAY
On April 1, MMWR published "Notice to Readers: World Health Day--April
7, 2005." The notice is reprinted below in its entirety, excluding
references.
***********************
The World Health Organization (WHO) has designated April 7, 2005, as
World Health Day. The theme for this year's World Health Day is "Make
Every Mother and Child Count," with a focus on efforts to decrease
mortality from pregnancy-related causes and in early childhood. Maternal
and early childhood mortality persists as a major problem around the
world, especially in developing regions. Approximately half a million
women die each year from pregnancy-related causes. Approximately one in
every 12 children throughout the world will not survive to age 5 years;
in the least developed countries of the world, this figure is
approximately one in six. Implementation of existing low-cost, effective
interventions could substantially close the gap and provide opportunity
to reduce excessive maternal, perinatal, infant, and child mortality.
"Make Every Mother and Child Count" aims to account for every mother and
child through the collection, analysis, and use of public health data.
These data are often critical in helping organizations and governments
to (1) design, support, and evaluate interventions; (2) identify
emerging threats to maternal and child health needs; and (3) monitor the
quality of services delivered to women and children. Toward this end,
CDC continues to be a partner in domestic and global activities,
providing the infrastructure needed to conduct surveillance and special
studies to count every woman and child affected by a disease, disorder,
or event.
Additional information on World Health Day and associated activities is
available from WHO at
http://www.who.int/world-health-day/2005/en and from the Pan
American Health Organization at
http://www.paho.org/english/dd/pin/whd05.htm
***********************
To access a web-text (HTML) version of the notice, go to:
http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm5412a7.htm
To access a ready-to-print (PDF) version of it, go to:
http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/PDF/wk/mm5412.pdf
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April 4, 2005
RECOMMENDATIONS FOR IMPROVING HIGH-RISK ADULTS' INFLUENZA, PPV, AND
HEPATITIS B VACCINATION COVERAGE NOW AVAILABLE
On April 1, CDC issued "Improving Influenza, Pneumococcal
Polysaccharide, and Hepatitis B Vaccination Coverage Among Adults Aged
<65 Years at High Risk: A Report on Recommendations of the Task Force on
Community Preventive Services," as a Recommendation and Reports issue of
MMWR. The summary is reprinted below.
***********************
The Task Force on Community Preventive Services conducted systematic
reviews to evaluate the effectiveness of interventions to improve
targeted vaccination coverage (i.e., coverage with vaccines recommended
for some but not all persons in an age range on the basis of risk for
exposure or disease) among adults aged <65 years at high risk when
implemented alone (single-component interventions) and in combination
with other interventions (multicomponent interventions). A 1999 report
by the Task Force examined the effectiveness of interventions to
increase coverage with universally recommended vaccinations (i.e.,
vaccines recommended for all persons in particular age groups). Three
targeted vaccinations recommended for populations at risk are addressed
in this review: influenza, pneumococcal polysaccharide, and hepatitis B.
The Task Force identified evidence that certain combinations of
interventions have improved vaccination coverage. To increase targeted
vaccination coverage, the Task Force recommends a combination of
interventions that include selected interventions from two or three
categories of interventions (i.e., increasing community demand for
vaccinations, enhancing access to vaccination services, and provider- or
system-based interventions). The Task Force also recommends provider
reminders, when implemented alone, to improve targeted vaccination
coverage. This report provides additional information about
population-based interventions to improve the coverage of influenza,
pneumococcal polysaccharide, and hepatitis B vaccines among populations
at risk, briefly describes how the reviews were conducted, and provides
information that can help in applying the interventions locally.
***********************
To access a web-text (HTML) version of the recommendation, go to:
http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/rr5405a1.htm
To access a ready-to-print (PDF) version of the recommendation, go to:
http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/PDF/rr/rr5405.pdf
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April 4, 2005
CDC REPORTS ON ESTIMATED INFLUENZA VACCINATION COVERAGE AMONG U.S.
ADULTS AND CHILDREN--SEPTEMBER 1, 2004-JANUARY 31, 2005
CDC published "Estimated Influenza Vaccination Coverage Among Adults and
Children--United States, September 1, 2004-January 31, 2005" in the
April 1 issue of MMWR. Portions of the article are reprinted below. In
addition, CDC issued a press release on the same topic on March 31; a
link to it appears at the end of this article.
***********************
In response to the unexpected shortfall in the 2004-05 influenza vaccine
supply, CDC recommended in October 2004 that vaccine be reserved for
persons in certain priority groups, including persons aged >=65 years
and 6-23 months, persons aged 2-64 years with conditions that increased
their risk for influenza complications, residents of chronic-care
facilities, close contacts of infants aged <6 months, and healthcare
workers with direct patient contact. In late December 2004, based on
declining demand among these groups, two additional groups (i.e.,
healthy persons aged 50-64 years and household contacts of all persons
at high risk) were added to the list of vaccination priority groups. To
monitor influenza vaccination coverage during the 2004-05 season, the
Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS), an ongoing,
state-based, telephone survey of civilian, noninstitutionalized persons,
added new questions to collect information on priority status and the
month and year of vaccination for adults and children. This report is
based on analysis of data collected during February 1-27, 2005,
regarding respondent-reported receipt of influenza vaccination during
September 1, 2004-January 31, 2005. The results of this analysis
indicated that influenza vaccination coverage levels through January
2005 among adults in priority groups nearly reached those in recent
years, whereas coverage levels among adults not in priority groups were
approximately half of levels in 2003, in part because 9.3% of those
unvaccinated persons in nonpriority groups declined vaccination this
season. The results further suggested that designation of the priority
groups successfully directed the nation's influenza vaccine supply to
those at highest risk. In addition, vaccination coverage among children
aged 6-23 months was notable (48.4%), given that 2004-05 was the first
year this group was recommended for influenza vaccination. . . .
VACCINATION COVERAGE AMONG ADULTS
Among adults, influenza vaccination coverage through January of the
2004-05 season was highest among persons aged >=65 years (62.7%),
followed by healthcare workers with patient contact (35.7%) and those
aged 18-64 years with high-risk conditions (25.5%). In comparison, the
2003 NHIS indicated coverage of 65.6% for persons aged >=65 years, 40.1%
for healthcare workers, and 34.2% for adults aged 18-64 years with
high-risk conditions. In contrast, influenza vaccination coverage among
healthy persons aged 18-64 years who were not healthcare workers or
contacts of children aged <6 months was lower than in the previous
season (8.8% compared with 17.8%) (CDC, unpublished data, 2005). Among
the reasons cited by respondents for not receiving vaccination, was
"saving vaccine for people who need it more," cited by 9.3% of those who
were not in priority groups and were not vaccinated. This represents
approximately 17.5 million doses of vaccine potentially made available
to persons in priority groups.
Vaccination uptake was higher in October and November and tapered off
during December and January. Among the adults in the priority groups
established in October, 2% of the vaccinations through January occurred
in September, 40% in October, 32% in November, 17% in December, and 9%
in January.
VACCINATION COVERAGE AMONG CHILDREN
Influenza vaccination coverage (>=1 doses) among children aged 6-23
months (48.4%) and among children aged 2-17 years with high-risk
conditions (34.8%) was substantially higher than among children not in
priority groups (12.3%). Of the vaccinations received through January,
17% occurred in September, 23% in October, 28% in November, 20% in
December, and 12% in January. In comparison, the 2003 NIS data indicated
that coverage among children aged 6-23 months for the 2002-03 influenza
season, before they were recommended for vaccination by the Advisory
Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), was 7.4%.
EDITORIAL NOTE:
During September 1, 2004-January 31, 2005, estimates of influenza
vaccination coverage indicate that despite an unexpected and substantial
vaccine shortfall, coverage levels among adults in the original
influenza vaccine priority groups were similar to historical demand
based on the 2003 NHIS, thereby suggesting the effectiveness of
prioritization. This resulted, in part, from the estimated 17.5 million
persons not in priority groups whose primary reported reason for not
being vaccinated was to save vaccine for people who needed it more.
According to the February 2005 BRFSS, approximately two thirds of the
administered vaccine doses through January went to persons in the
initial priority groups identified in October whereas, during 2003, only
approximately one half of all doses of influenza vaccine were
administered to persons in these groups.
The provision of >=1 doses of influenza vaccination to 48.4% of children
aged 6-23 months during this first influenza season following
implementation of the ACIP recommendations suggests how quickly
physicians and parents can adopt a new disease-prevention guideline.
Because the Chiron vaccine was not licensed for use in children aged <4
years, the supply of influenza vaccine for children aged 6-23 months was
not affected by the shortfall. . . .
Vaccination patterns during the 2004-05 influenza season have been
affected by several factors. Although an unexpected and substantial
reduction of vaccine supply occurred at the beginning of the season,
prioritization was quickly recommended and followed. The 2004-05
influenza season was less severe than the 2003-04 season and did not
peak until mid-February. In addition, this was the first full season
following the ACIP recommendation to vaccinate all children aged 6-23
months.
Despite the shortfall of inactivated influenza vaccine, the level of
coverage achieved among those groups prioritized in 2004-05 appears to
be similar to historical coverage. Additional guidelines for
prioritization of influenza vaccination in the event of a future
influenza vaccine shortfall are in development and should assist with
efforts to maximize use of available vaccine.
***********************
To access a web-text (HTML) version of the complete article, go to:
http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm5412a3.htm
To access a ready-to-print (PDF) version of this issue of MMWR, go to:
http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/PDF/wk/mm5412.pdf
CDC PRESS RELEASE OF MARCH 31
To access the CDC press release "Targeting and Collaborations a Big
Success; Priority Groups Received Majority of 2004-05 Influenza Vaccine
Thanks to 17 Million Healthy Americans Stepping Aside," go to:
http://www.cdc.gov/od/oc/media/pressrel/r050331.htm
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April 4, 2005
APRIL 29 IS THE APPLICATION DEADLINE FOR NPI'S 2005 EXCELLENCE IN
IMMUNIZATION AWARDS
The National Partnership for Immunization (NPI) is requesting
applications for the 2005 Excellence in Immunization Awards, to be
announced in conjunction with National Immunization Awareness Month
(August). The application deadline is April 29. The awards are intended
to provide national recognition of activities and programs that serve
neighborhoods, communities, counties, states, or regions.
Awards are given for the following: addressing disparities, conducting
an educational campaign (at the local, state, or regional level),
developing and implementing an education program or campaign (by a
non-traditional immunization partner), and demonstrating initiatives
that increase immunization coverage (by an individual or practice).
For additional information and application instructions, go to:
http://www.partnersforimmunization.org/2005_excellence_award.html
If you have questions, email
npiawards@hmhb.org or call (703) 836-6110.
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April 4, 2005
BIG SAVINGS: IAC'S SMALLPOX IMMUNIZATION RECORD CARDS AVAILABLE AT HALF
PRICE--WHILE SUPPLIES LAST
If you work on smallpox-related issues, you may want to take this
opportunity to stock up on IAC's smallpox adult immunization record
cards--and pay only half the regular price! The price for a box (250
cards) has been reduced from $40 to $20.
Designed to meet CDC's needs, the smallpox adult immunization record
card differs from IAC's very popular standard adult immunization record
card in two ways:
- The smallpox card has space for health
professionals to document smallpox vaccine administration, in addition
to space to document administration of seven vaccines recommended for
some or all adults. The standard card has space for documenting only
the seven vaccines.
- The smallpox card is light green; the
standard card is canary yellow.
Like the standard card, the smallpox card is
printed on smudge-proof, rip-proof, waterproof paper, and is pre-folded to
fit in a wallet. Its light-green color makes it easy to spot among credit
cards and other items.
To view both sides of the smallpox card online, go to:
http://www.immunize.org/smallpoxizcards/smallpoxcard.pdf
PRICING, ORDERING, AND SHIPPING INFORMATION
Packed in boxes of 250 cards, the smallpox card is now
available--while supplies last--at $20 per box (reduced from $40 per
box). In addition, there is NO SHIPPING CHARGE for orders within the
United States, no matter the size of the order.
You can place an order for the half-price smallpox card in three ways:
Online. To order online on our secure website (including online with a
purchase order), go to:
https://www.immunize.org/smallpoxizcards
By fax. Print the page at the URL above; fill in the ordering
information (including credit card information) in the spaces
provided, and fax your order to us at (651) 647-9131.
By email. Send an email to admin@immunize.org Include your complete
shipping information (your name, shipping address, and daytime phone
number).
We accept payment by check, purchase order, or credit card; we will
ship in 2-3 weeks. If you have questions about IAC's smallpox card,
call us at (651) 647-9009, or email us at
admin@immunize.org
Orders will be shipped IN THE ORDER WE RECEIVE THEM until supplies are
depleted. Don't delay!
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April 4, 2005
CDC REPORTS ON AN INADVERTENT LABORATORY EXPOSURE TO BACILLUS
ANTHRACIS IN CALIFORNIA IN 2004
CDC published "Inadvertent Laboratory Exposure to Bacillus anthracis--California,
2004" in the April 1 issue of MMWR. A portion of a summary made
available to the press is reprinted below.
***********************
In 2004, workers at a research laboratory in California were
inadvertently exposed to viable Bacillus anthracis organisms. The
laboratory was working with a material that they believed to contain
killed B. anthracis. Inhalation anthrax results from breathing in
aerosolized B. anthracis spores. The California Department of Health
Services and CDC investigated procedures at the facility. Health
officials felt that potentially exposed workers were at low risk for
inhalation of B. anthracis, but recommended they receive antibiotics.
None of the workers developed symptoms of anthrax. B. anthracis can be
resistant to heat and chemical disinfection. As a result, it is
important that those working with killed B. anthracis organisms use
appropriate bio-safety measures and adequately test materials to make
sure that the organism has been inactivated.
***********************
To access a web-text (HTML) version of the complete article, go to:
http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm5412a2.htm
To access a ready-to-print (PDF) version of this issue of MMWR, go to:
http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/PDF/wk/mm5412.pdf
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April 4, 2005
NEW: TWO ROTAVIRUS VACCINE RESOURCES NOW AVAILABLE ONLINE
Recently, the Albert B. Sabin Vaccine Institute and the Rotavirus
Vaccine Program each made rotavirus vaccine resources available
online.
The Sabin Institute has published the proceedings of the Sixth
International Rotavirus Symposium, which was held in Mexico City July
7-9, 2004. Titled "Rotavirus and Rotavirus Vaccines: Proceedings of
the Sixth International Rotavirus Symposium, Mexico City, July 7-9,
2004," the 55-page document is available in English and
Spanish-language versions.
To download a ready-to-print (PDF) version in ENGLISH, go to:
http://www.sabin.org/PDF/rotavirusengweb.pdf
To download a ready-to-print (PDF) version in SPANISH, go to:
http://www.sabin.org/PDF/rotavirusspanishweb.pdf
The Rotavirus Vaccine Program has published the most recent issue of
its online newsletter, Rotavirus Update. Dated First Quarter 2005, the
newsletter is available at
http://www.rotavirusvaccine.org/Rota_Newsletter4.html
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April 4, 2005
MEASLES CASES SURGE IN NIGERIA
On March 21, WHO reported that more than 500 children have died from
measles since January, according to information posted on the website
of the Integrated Regional Information Networks (IRIN), part of the UN
Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs.
More than 90 percent of the 23,575 measles cases reported in the
country so far this year occurred in the northern states, as have the
overwhelming majority of deaths. People in the northern region are
reported to be wary of vaccinations for religious reasons. In 2003-04,
four northern states banned polio vaccination campaigns on the grounds
that the campaigns were a Western plot to sterilize Muslims and infect
them with HIV/AIDS.
To access additional information from the IRIN website, click
here. |
