Issue
Number 528
May 31, 2005
CONTENTS OF THIS ISSUE
- New: ACIP releases recommendations on meningococcal
disease prevention; CDC press release presents background information
- New: CDC fact sheet on meningococcal disease and vaccine
includes information about newly licensed MCV4 vaccine
- New VIS translation: Spanish-language meningococcal
vaccine VIS now available
- May issue of CDC's Immunization Works electronic
newsletter is posted on the NIP website
- New: CDC announces broad availability of the 2005-06
edition of its travel-health guide, the "Yellow Book"
- Mark your calendar: Several CDC immunization courses are
planned for summer and fall
- New translation: IAC's parent-education piece "After the
Shots: What to do if your child has discomfort" now in Spanish
- June 14 teleconference to focus on reducing immunization
disparities by working with ethnic physicians organizations
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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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May 31, 2005
NEW: ACIP RELEASES RECOMMENDATIONS ON MENINGOCOCCAL DISEASE PREVENTION; CDC
PRESS RELEASE PRESENTS BACKGROUND INFORMATION
On May 27, CDC published "Prevention and Control of Meningococcal Disease:
Recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP)"
as part of its series of MMWR Recommendations and Reports. On May 26, CDC
issued a press release, "CDC Recommends Meningococcal Vaccine for
Adolescents and College Freshmen." Excerpts from both follow.
ACIP RECOMMENDATIONS
The summary section of the ACIP recommendations is reprinted below.
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Summary
In January 2005, a tetravalent meningococcal polysaccharide-protein
conjugate vaccine ([MCV4] Menactra, manufactured by Sanofi Pasteur, Inc.,
Swiftwater, Pennsylvania) was licensed for use among persons aged 11-55
years. CDC's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommends
routine vaccination of young adolescents (defined in this report as persons
aged 11-12 years) with MCV4 at the preadolescent healthcare visit (at age
11-12 years). Introducing a recommendation for MCV4 vaccination among young
adolescents might strengthen the role of the preadolescent visit and have a
positive effect on vaccine coverage among adolescents. For those persons who
have not previously received MCV4, ACIP recommends vaccination before high
school entry (at approximately age 15 years) as an effective strategy to
reduce meningococcal disease incidence among adolescents and young adults.
By 2008, the goal will be routine vaccination with MCV4 of all adolescents
beginning at age 11 years. Routine vaccination with meningococcal vaccine
also is recommended for college freshmen living in dormitories and for other
populations at increased risk (i.e., military recruits, travelers to areas
in which meningococcal disease is hyperendemic or epidemic, microbiologists
who are routinely exposed to isolates of Neisseria meningitidis, patients
with anatomic or functional asplenia, and patients with terminal complement
deficiency). Other adolescents, college students, and persons infected with
human immunodeficiency virus who wish to decrease their risk for
meningococcal disease may elect to receive vaccine.
This report updates previous reports from ACIP concerning prevention and
control of meningococcal disease. It also provides updated recommendations
regarding use of the tetravalent meningococcal polysaccharide vaccine
(MPSV4) and on antimicrobial chemoprophylaxis. . . .
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To access a web-text (HTML) version of the complete recommendations, go to:
http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/rr5407a1.htm.
To access a ready-to-print (PDF) version of it, go to:
http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/PDF/rr/rr5407.pdf.
To receive a FREE electronic subscription to MMWR (which includes new ACIP
statements), go to:
http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/mmwrsubscribe.html.
CDC PRESS RELEASE
The press release is reprinted below in its entirety.
***********************
For immediate release
May 26, 2005
CDC RECOMMENDS MENINGOCOCCAL VACCINE FOR ADOLESCENTS AND COLLEGE FRESHMEN
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) now recommends routine
vaccination of children 11-12 years old, previously unvaccinated adolescents
at high school entry, and college freshmen living in dormitories with the
newly licensed meningococcal conjugate vaccine (MCV4). The new
recommendation is designed to help achieve vaccination among those at
highest risk for meningococcal disease. As the vaccine supply increases, CDC
hopes, within three years, to recommend routine vaccination [of] all
adolescents beginning at 11 years of age.
CDC recommends routine meningococcal vaccination for young adolescents at
the pre-adolescent doctor visit at about age 11-12, and for those who have
not previously been vaccinated, before entering high school at about age 15.
CDC also recommends that college freshmen living in dormitories be immunized
to reduce disease risk. College freshmen living in the close quarters of
dormitories are at a higher risk for meningococcal disease compared with
peers the same age who are not attending college. Also, all other
adolescents who wish to reduce their risk of disease may elect to receive
vaccine.
"This new vaccine can help protect adolescents and college students from
meningococcal disease, said Dr. Stephen Cochi, acting director of CDC's
National Immunization Program. "CDC encourages those at increased risk to
take the opportunity to get vaccinated to help protect them from this
serious disease."
Meningococcal disease strikes up to 3,000 Americans, killing 300 people
every year. Ten to 12 percent of people with meningococcal disease die, and
among survivors, up to 15 percent may suffer long-term permanent
disabilities including hearing loss, limb amputation, or brain damage. The
disease often begins with symptoms that can be mistaken for common
illnesses, such as the flu. However, meningococcal disease is particularly
dangerous because it progresses rapidly and can kill within hours.
This new vaccine should offer longer protection than previous vaccines, is a
single shot, and the most common reaction is a sore arm. However, it does
not protect people against meningococcal disease caused by serogroup B
bacteria. This serogroup of bacteria causes one-third of meningococcal cases
in the United States. More than half of the cases among infants under the
age of 1 year are caused by type B, for which no vaccine is licensed or
available in the United States.
The new meningococcal vaccine was licensed by the U.S. Food and Drug
Administration (FDA) on January 14, 2005, for use in people 11-55 years of
age. It is manufactured by Sanofi Pasteur and is marketed as Menactra.
For additional information on meningococcal disease, visit
http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dbmd/diseaseinfo/meningococcal_g.htm.
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To access a web-text (HTML) version of the press release, go to:
http://www.cdc.gov/od/oc/media/pressrel/r050526b.htm.
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May 31, 2005
NEW: CDC FACT SHEET ON MENINGOCOCCAL DISEASE AND VACCINE INCLUDES
INFORMATION ABOUT NEWLY LICENSED MCV4 VACCINE
On May 17, NIP posted on its website a new CDC fact sheet, Meningococcal
Disease and Meningococcal Vaccine. It is intended to educate providers, NIP
partners, and the public about meningococcal disease and the two vaccines
that prevent it: tetravalent meningococcal conjugated vaccine (MCV4) and
polysaccharide meningococcal vaccine (MPSV4).
To access a ready-to-print (PDF) version of the fact sheet, go to:
http://www.cdc.gov/nip/vaccine/mening/mening_fs.pdf.
To access a web-text (HTML) version of it, go to:
http://www.cdc.gov/nip/vaccine/mening/mening_fs.htm.
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May 31, 2005
NEW VIS TRANSLATION: SPANISH-LANGUAGE MENINGOCOCCAL VACCINE VIS NOW
AVAILABLE
Dated 4/4/05, the interim meningococcal vaccine VIS is now available on the
IAC website in Spanish. IAC gratefully acknowledges the California
Department of Health Services for the translation.
To obtain a ready-to-copy (PDF) version of it, go to:
http://www.immunize.org/vis/sp_men05.pdf.
To obtain the VIS in English, go to:
http://www.immunize.org/vis/menin05.pdf.
For information about the use of VISs, and for VISs in a total of 32
languages, visit IAC's VIS web section at
http://www.immunize.org/vis.
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May 31, 2005
MAY ISSUE OF CDC'S IMMUNIZATION WORKS ELECTRONIC NEWSLETTER IS POSTED ON THE
NIP WEBSITE
The May 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 May issue appears elsewhere in this issue of
IAC Express (see articles #2 and #6). Other information has appeared in
previous issues of IAC Express. Following is the text of six articles we
have not yet covered.
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OTHER IMMUNIZATION NEWS
2005 NATIONAL INFLUENZA VACCINE SUMMIT: The National Influenza Vaccine
Summit, sponsored by CDC and the American Medical Association (AMA), was
held on May 10-11, 2005, at the Palmer House Hilton Hotel in Chicago, IL.
The National Influenza Summit is a partnership of stakeholders that
addresses issues of influenza vaccination all year round. Attendees
participate by invitation only. Throughout the year, the Summit participants
collaborate to lend their efforts to address barriers that may reduce
influenza vaccinations. These range from addressing uncertainties of the
vaccine supply, communicating nationally on the benefits of influenza
vaccination, and creating tools to facilitate the provision of vaccine.
Nine working groups currently exist within the Summit. Additionally, the
Summit stands ready to add new working groups in response to new issues that
may arise for the 2005-2006 influenza season.
MEETINGS, CONFERENCES, AND RESOURCES
NEW IMMUNIZATION FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES: CDC is seeking applicants for
several new immunization funding opportunities. The projects vary and will
target a range of audiences including older adults, children, and healthcare
workers. All letters of intent are due in early to mid-June. For more
information, please visit
http://www.gpoaccess.gov/fr and enter this exact search string,
including the quotes: "national immunization program" AND "funding".
THE NATIONAL VACCINE ADVISORY COMMITTEE (NVAC): NVAC will hold its next
meeting on June 7-8, 2005, at the Hubert H. Humphrey Building in Washington,
DC. The meeting is open to the general public. For more information, please
visit http://www.hhs.gov/nvpo/nvac.
THE ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON IMMUNIZATION PRACTICES (ACIP): ACIP will hold its
next meeting June 29-30, 2005, at the Marriott Century Center in Atlanta,
Georgia. The meeting is open to the general public. For more information,
please visit
www.cdc.gov/nip/acip/default.htm.
NEW VACCINE ADVERSE EVENT REPORTING SYSTEM (VAERS) WEB ADDRESS: Please
update your bookmarks to reflect the new web address for VAERS:
www.vaers.hhs.gov. VAERS, the
nation's vaccine safety passive surveillance system, is jointly administered
by CDC and FDA. In order to better reflect the collaboration between these
two HHS agencies, the web address (URL) for VAERS has changed. During the
transition, the previous URL will automatically link to the new website. CDC
and FDA will incorporate the new URL into documents over time. The VAERS
mailing address (P.O.Box 1100, Rockville, MD 20849-1100) and toll-free
number [(800)822-7967] will not change.
ATTENTION PHARMACISTS: Pharmacists continue to be important providers of
adult immunizations. Because of that, NIP will begin offering more programs
with continuing education credit for pharmacists. Pharmacy credit for You
Call the Shots, Module One will become available in June 2005. Further, NIP
seeks pharmacists who would like to volunteer to pilot test immunization
training programs. If you are a pharmacist who is willing to volunteer a few
hours to pilot upcoming immunization training programs, please contact
Melissa Barnett at mbarnett2@cdc.gov.
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To access the complete May issue from the NIP website, go to:
http://www.cdc.gov/nip/news/newsltrs/imwrks/2005/200505.htm.
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May 31, 2005
NEW: CDC ANNOUNCES BROAD AVAILABILITY OF THE 2005-06 EDITION OF ITS
TRAVEL-HEALTH GUIDE, THE "YELLOW BOOK"
On May 24, CDC issued a press release announcing that the 2005-06 edition of
"Health Information for International Travel" (aka, the "Yellow Book") is
now available. Portions of the press release are reprinted below.
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FOR FIRST TIME EVER, CDC TRAVEL HEALTH BOOK NOW MORE WIDELY AVAILABLE
The new edition of the "Yellow Book," the Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention's (CDC) definitive guide on healthy travel, is now available for
the first time to health professionals and everyday travelers through
bookstores nationwide and online booksellers.
. . . . [O]fficially titled "Health Information for International Travel,"
[the book] serves as authoritative guide for vital pre-travel healthcare
recommendations and essential information about health risks abroad. It is a
resource for travel medicine specialists as well as primary healthcare
providers who need to provide travel advice. The book also offers
vaccination and medication information for disease risks by destination as
well as helpful health hints for cruise ship travel, international
adoptions, and a wide range of common travel problems such as motion
sickness.
. . . .[S]aid Paul Arguin, chief of CDC's geographic medicine and health
promotion branch: "The Yellow Book is an essential resource for anyone who
provides travel medicine advice, especially healthcare providers, travel
agents, airlines and cruise lines, as well as for the traveling public."
New health topics in this year's edition include
- Changes in vaccine recommendations for
travelers
- Updated country-by-country malaria
prevention information
- Valuable advice on potential travel
hazards such as natural disasters, animals, swimming, food and drink,
altitude and motion sickness, sunburn, and more
- Information on the special needs of
travelers--from infants to nursing mothers to the elderly
- Recommendations for recent U.S. immigrants
returning home to visit friends and family
- Improved maps and expanded indexing . . .
.
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To access the complete press release, go to:
http://www.cdc.gov/od/oc/media/pressrel/r050524.htm.
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May 31, 2005
MARK YOUR CALENDAR: SEVERAL CDC IMMUNIZATION COURSES ARE PLANNED FOR
SUMMER AND FALL
CDC recently announced the dates and times of three highly valuable and
popular immunization education programs: (1) Current Issues in
Immunization Net Conference, (2) Immunization Update 2005, and (3)
Epidemiology & Prevention of Vaccine-Preventable Diseases. Following is
brief information on each. Check future issues of IAC Express for further
details.
1. CURRENT ISSUES IN IMMUNIZATION NET CONFERENCE.
SCHEDULED FOR July 14.
FORMAT: A live, 1-hour webcast combining an online visual presentation
with simultaneous audio via telephone conference call. Participants can
interact with the presenters through a live Q&A segment at the end of the
program.
TOPICS: TBA; each Net Conference focuses on one or two late-breaking
issues in immunization.
SPEAKERS: TBA.
REGISTRATION DEADLINE: TBA; pre-registration is required.
FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, go to:
http://www.cdc.gov/nip/ed/netconference.htm.
2. IMMUNIZATION UPDATE 2005.
SCHEDULED FOR July 28 at 9-11:30 AM ET and rebroadcast from Noon-2:30PM
ET.
FORMAT: A live satellite broadcast and webcast; both broadcasts will offer
a live Q&A session in which participants nationwide can interact with the
course instructors via toll-free telephone lines.
INTENDED FOR health professionals and their colleagues (in private
practice or public health) who either administer vaccines or set policy
for their offices, clinics, communicable disease, or infection control
programs.
ANTICIPATED TOPICS include new recommendations for influenza vaccine and
an update of the influenza vaccine supply, meningococcal conjugate
vaccine, acellular pertussis vaccine for adolescents, and revised
varicella vaccine recommendations.
FACULTY INCLUDES William L. Atkinson, MD, MPH; Donna Weaver, MN, RN; and
Andrew Kroger, MD, MPH. All are with CDC's National Immunization Program.
REGISTRATION: Site registration begins on June 2; individual registration
begins July 6.
FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, go to:
http://www.phppo.cdc.gov/PHTN/immup2005/default.asp.
3. EPIDEMIOLOGY & PREVENTION OF VACCINE-PREVENTABLE DISEASES.
SCHEDULED FOR August 17-18 in Charleston, SC; November 14-15 in
Sacramento, CA; November 17-18 in Torrance, CA.
FORMAT: An on-site two-day course.
FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION about the South Carolina course, contact Susan
A. Smith, MN, RN, by phone at (803) 898-0869 or by email at
smithsl@dhec.sc.gov; about both
California courses, contact Sandra Jo Hammer by phone at (510) 540-2198 or
by email at shammer@dhs.ca.gov.
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May 31, 2005
NEW TRANSLATION: IAC'S PARENT-EDUCATION PIECE "AFTER THE SHOTS: WHAT TO DO
IF YOUR CHILD HAS DISCOMFORT" NOW IN SPANISH
IAC recently posted the Spanish-language version of its two-page
parent-education piece "After the Shots . . . What to do if your child has
discomfort." We are grateful to the California Department of Health
Services for the translation.
Revised and expanded in September 2004, the piece now includes a dosing
schedule for ibuprofen, as well as acetaminophen.
To access a ready-to-copy (PDF) version of the Spanish-language piece, go
to:
http://www.immunize.org/catg.d/p4015-01.pdf.
To access a web-text (HTML) version of it, go to:
http://www.immunize.org/catg.d/p4015-01.htm.
To access a ready-to-copy (PDF) version of the English-language piece, go
to:
http://www.immunize.org/catg.d/p4015.pdf.
To access a web-text (HTML) version of it, go to:
http://www.immunize.org/nslt.d/n17/p4015.htm.
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May 31, 2005
JUNE 14 TELECONFERENCE TO FOCUS ON REDUCING IMMUNIZATION DISPARITIES BY
WORKING WITH ETHNIC PHYSICIANS ORGANIZATIONS
The National Immunization Coalition TA [technical assistance] Network has
scheduled a teleconference on how immunization coalitions can work with
ethnic physicians organizations to reduce racial/ethnic disparities in
immunization. It will be held at 3PM ET on June 14. The network is a
program of the Center for Health Communication, Academy for Educational
Development (AED). The June 14 teleconference is a collaboration between
AED and the California Coalition for Childhood Immunization.
The teleconference facilitator is Doretha Williams-Flournoy, project
director, Network of Ethnic Physician Organizations, California Medical
Association Foundation.
Teleconference participants will (1) increase their understanding of
ethnic physician organizations' purpose, role, and resources; (2) identify
techniques for effectively communicating and working with ethnic
physicians; and (3) identify strategies for engaging local ethnic
physician organizations in outreach programs designed to eliminate
disparities in immunization coverage.
To register for the teleconference, email Katherine Shrout at
kshrout@aed.org. In your email,
include this message: "Sign me up for the Partnering with Ethnic Physician
Organizations call." |
