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IAC Express 2008 |
| Issue number 712: February 18, 2008 |
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Contents
of this Issue
Select a title to jump to the article. |
- NCIRD
website posts update on shortage of Merck's pediatric and adult hepatitis
A vaccine
- New:
Fifth edition of "Vaccines," the foremost vaccine textbook, now available
for order
- CDC
issues update on influenza activity in the United States during September
30, 2007-February 9, 2008
- CDC
reports on status of invasive pneumococcal disease in children five years
after PCV7 introduction
- February
issue of CDC's Immunization Works electronic newsletter now online
- Reported
pediatric influenza death prompts response from CIIC; new brochure urges
annual influenza vaccination
-
Important: Be sure to give influenza vaccine throughout the influenza
season--from now through spring
- WHO
recommends composition of 2008-09 influenza vaccine for Northern
Hemisphere; CDC website posts Q&A on selecting viruses for influenza
vaccine
- February
14 issue of IAC's Hep Express electronic newsletter now online
- On-site
course, Epidemiology and Prevention of Vaccine-Preventable Diseases,
scheduled for Atlanta on April 15-16
- CDC
reports on progress in introducing Hib vaccine in low-income countries
worldwide during 2004-07
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| Abbreviations |
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AAFP, American Academy of Family Physicians; AAP,
American Academy of Pediatrics; ACIP, Advisory Committee on Immunization
Practices; AMA, American Medical Association; CDC, Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention; FDA, Food and Drug Administration; IAC, Immunization
Action Coalition; MMWR, Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report; NCIRD,
National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases; NIVS, National
Influenza Vaccine Summit; VIS, Vaccine Information Statement; VPD,
vaccine-preventable disease; WHO, World Health Organization. |
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Issue 712: February 18, 2008 |
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1. |
NCIRD website posts update on shortage of Merck's pediatric and adult
hepatitis A vaccine
[The following is cross posted from IAC's Hep
Express electronic
newsletter, 2/14/08.]
On February 13, the website of the National Center for
Immunization and Respiratory Diseases (NCIRD) posted updated
information about the production of Merck's and GSK's pediatric
and adult hepatitis A vaccines. The updated information is
reprinted below in its entirety.
Merck & Co., Inc., are experiencing production delays for
Pediatric and Adult hepatitis A vaccine (Pediatric & Adult
VAQTA). Merck has temporarily discontinued accepting orders for
Pediatric VAQTA and Adult VAQTA in the vial formulation. Based
on current information, it is estimated that VAQTA will be
available in early third quarter 2008 and Adult VAQTA in fourth
quarter 2008. GSK production and supply of their Pediatric and
Adult hepatitis A vaccine (Pediatric & Adult Havrix) and their
Adult hepatitis A/hepatitis B combination vaccine (Twinrix) are
currently in good supply to meet demand. GSK has initiated plans
to increase production of Havrix and Twinrix, to help ensure
uninterrupted supply for the U.S. market.
To access the update, go to:
http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/vac-gen/shortages and scroll
down to Note 3.
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2. |
New: Fifth edition of "Vaccines,"
the foremost vaccine textbook, now available for order
Book publisher Elsevier recently announced that
the fifth
edition of the highly esteemed textbook "Vaccines" is available
for order. Excerpts from the publisher's website are reprinted
below.
Completely revised and updated, this respected reference offers
comprehensive and current coverage of every aspect of
vaccination--from development to use in reducing disease. It
provides authoritative information on vaccine production,
available preparations, efficacy, and safety; recommendations
for vaccine use, with rationales; data on the impact of
vaccination programs on morbidity and mortality; and more. And
now, as an Expert Consult title, Vaccines includes a companion
website offering this unparalleled guidance where and when you
need it most!
Key Features:
- Provides a complete understanding of each disease, including
clinical characteristics, microbiology, pathogenesis,
diagnosis, and treatment, as well an epidemiology and public
health issues
- Offers comprehensive coverage of both existing vaccines and
vaccines currently in the research and development stage
- Examines vaccine stability, immunogenicity, efficacy, duration
of immunity, adverse events, indications, contraindications,
precautions, administration with other vaccines, and disease
control strategies
- Analyzes the cost-benefit and cost-effectiveness of vaccines
- Discusses the proper use of immune globulins and antitoxins
- Illustrates concepts and objective data with approximately 600
tables and figures
Author Information:
Stanley A. Plotkin, MD, emeritus professor of pediatrics,
University of Pennsylvania; Walter A. Orenstein, MD, professor
of medicine and pediatrics, Emory University and former director
of CDC's National Immunization Program; and Paul A. Offit, MD,
chief, Division of Infectious Diseases, Children's Hospital of
Philadelphia and Maurice R. Hilleman Professor of Vaccinology,
the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia.
Priced at $325, "Vaccines" contains 1,748 pages and 600
illustrations. For additional information, including access to
the table of contents and online ordering, go to:
http://www.us.elsevierhealth.com/product.jsp?isbn=9781416036111
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3. |
CDC issues update on influenza
activity in the United States during September 30, 2007-February 9, 2008
On February 15, CDC published "Update: Influenza
Activity--United States, September 30, 2007-February 9, 2008" as an MMWR
Early Release. Portions of the article are reprinted below.
This report summarizes U.S. influenza activity since the
beginning of the 2007-08 influenza season (September 30, 2007)
and updates the previous summary. From September through early
December, influenza activity remained low in the United States.
Activity increased from early December through the end of the
year and has continued to increase in January and February.
Viral Surveillance
During September 30, 2007-February 9, 2008, World Health
Organization (WHO) and National Respiratory and Enteric Virus
Surveillance System (NREVSS) collaborating laboratories in the
United States reported testing 94,502 specimens for influenza
viruses, and 10,568 (11%) tested positive. Of these positive
specimens, 8,889 (84%) were influenza A viruses, and 1,679 (16%)
were influenza B viruses. A total of 2,299 (26%) of the
influenza A viruses have been subtyped: 1,033 (45%) were
influenza A (H1N1) viruses, and 1,266 (55%) were influenza A
(H3N2) viruses. Although influenza A (H1N1) viruses predominated
through mid-January, an increasing proportion of subtyped
influenza A viruses are influenza A (H3N2) viruses. Influenza A
(H3N2) viruses were reported more frequently than influenza A
(H1N1) viruses during January 20-February 9. During the week
ending February 9, H3N2 became the predominant virus for the
season overall.
This season, more influenza A viruses than influenza B viruses
have been identified in all regions. Among influenza A viruses,
influenza A (H1N1) has predominated in the New England, Mid-Atlantic, West North Central, Mountain, and Pacific regions, and
influenza A (H3N2) has predominated in the East North Central,
South Atlantic, East South Central, and West South Central
regions. This season, laboratory-confirmed influenza has been
reported by the District of Columbia and 47 states from all nine
surveillance regions.
Antigenic Characterization
Since September 30, 2007, CDC has antigenically characterized
250 influenza viruses submitted by U.S. laboratories: 117
influenza A (H1N1), 65 influenza A (H3N2), and 68 influenza B
viruses. One hundred seven (91%) of the 117 influenza A (H1N1)
viruses were characterized as A/Solomon Islands/3/2006-like, the
influenza A (H1N1) component of the 2007-08 influenza vaccine
for the Northern Hemisphere and the 2008 influenza A (H1N1)
component of the vaccine for the Southern Hemisphere; 10 (9%) of
the 117 influenza A (H1N1) viruses were observed to have
somewhat reduced titers with antisera produced against A/Solomon
Islands/3/2006. Nine (14%) of the 65 influenza A (H3N2) viruses
were characterized as A/Wisconsin/67/2005-like, the influenza A
(H3N2) component of the 2007-08 influenza vaccine for the
Northern Hemisphere. Fifty-three (81%) of the 65 influenza A
(H3N2) viruses were characterized as A/Brisbane/10/2007-like, a
recent antigenic variant that has evolved from
A/Wisconsin/67/2005-like. A/Brisbane/10/2007-like virus is the
recommended influenza A (H3N2) component for the 2008 Southern
Hemisphere vaccine. Three (5%) of the 65 influenza A (H3N2)
viruses were observed to have somewhat reduced titers with
antisera produced against A/Wisconsin/67/2005 and
A/Brisbane/10/2007.
Influenza B viruses currently circulating can be divided into
two antigenically distinct lineages represented by
B/Victoria/02/87 and B/Yamagata/16/88. Four (6%) of the 68
influenza B viruses characterized belong to the B/Victoria
lineage of viruses. One virus with B/Victoria lineage,
B/Malaysia/2506/2004, is the influenza B component of the 2007-08 influenza vaccine. Sixty-four (94%) of the 68 influenza B
viruses belong to the B/Yamagata lineage of viruses.
Outpatient Illness Surveillance
For the week ending February 9, the percentage of outpatient
visits for influenza-like illness (ILI) reported by
approximately 1,400 U.S. sentinel providers in 50 states,
Chicago, the District of Columbia, and New York City was 5.7%.
This marks the seventh consecutive week that the percentage of
outpatient visits for ILI exceeded the national baseline of
2.2%. ILI was reported above region-specific baselines in all
nine influenza surveillance regions. Also for the week ending
February 9, the percentage of outpatient visits for acute
respiratory illness (ARI) reported by approximately 800 U.S.
Department of Defense (DoD) and Department of Veterans' Affairs
(VA) BioSense outpatient treatment facilities was 3.5%, which
was above the national baseline of 3.2%.
State-Specific Activity Levels
Until the week ending January 5, widespread influenza activity
had not been reported in any state. During the week ending
January 5, widespread influenza activity was reported in
Colorado. The number of states reporting widespread activity has
increased each week. For the week ending February 9, widespread
activity was reported by 44 states, and regional activity was
reported by five states.
Pneumonia and Influenza-Related Mortality
Pneumonia and influenza (P&I) was listed as an underlying or
contributing cause of death for 7.6% of all deaths reported
through the 122 Cities Mortality Reporting System for the week
ending February 9. This percentage was above the epidemic
threshold of 7.2% for the week and marked the fifth consecutive
week that P&I deaths were above the epidemic threshold since
influenza activity began rising in the United States.
Influenza-Associated Pediatric Hospitalizations
Pediatric hospitalizations associated with laboratory-confirmed
influenza infections are monitored by two population-based
surveillance networks, the Emerging Infections Program (EIP) and
the New Vaccine Surveillance Network (NVSN). During November 4,
2007-January 26, 2008, the preliminary laboratory-confirmed
influenza-associated hospitalization rate reported by NVSN for
children aged 0-4 years was 0.73 per 10,000. During September
30, 2007-February 2, 2008, EIP sites reported a preliminary
laboratory-confirmed influenza-associated hospitalization rate
of 0.36 per 10,000 for children aged 0-17 years. For children
aged 0-4 years, the rate was 1.0 per 10,000, and for children
aged 5-17 years, the rate was 0.1 per 10,000.
Influenza-Related Pediatric Mortality
As of February 9, a total of 10 pediatric deaths among children
with laboratory-confirmed influenza had been reported to CDC
through the National Notifiable Diseases Surveillance System for
the 2007-08 influenza season. Ages of children who died ranged
from 4 months to 14 years, with a median of 5.5 years. During
the preceding three influenza seasons, the numbers of influenza-related pediatric deaths reported to CDC have ranged from 46 to
74.
Resistance to Antiviral Medications
During this influenza season, a small increase in the number of
influenza viruses resistant to the neuraminidase inhibitor,
oseltamivir, has been observed. Among the 350 influenza A and B
viruses tested during the 2007-08 influenza season, 16 (4.6%)
have been found to be resistant to oseltamivir. All of the
oseltamivir-resistant viruses have been influenza A viruses (16
of 270, 5.9%). Of the resistant viruses, all are of the H1N1
subtype and have been determined to share the same genetic
mutation that confers oseltamivir resistance. These 16 viruses
represent 8.1% of the 198 influenza A (H1N1) viruses that have
been tested, an increase from four (0.7%) of 588 influenza A
(H1N1) viruses tested during the 2006-07 season. No resistance
to oseltamivir has been determined among the 72 influenza A
(H3N2) or the 80 influenza B viruses tested, and no antiviral
resistance to zanamivir has been detected in any subtype.
Adamantane resistance continues to be high; 87 (32%) of 271
influenza A viruses tested were resistant to adamantanes (i.e.,
amantadine or rimantadine), including 99% of influenza A (H3N2)
viruses and 7.6% of influenza A (H1N1) viruses tested.
Adamantanes are not recommended for the prevention or treatment
of influenza this season because of the high rate of resistance
among circulating influenza A viruses.
Editorial Note . . .
Since 1977, influenza A (H1N1), influenza A (H3N2), and
influenza B viruses have circulated globally. Each year's
influenza vaccine contains a virus representing each of these
three distinct influenza virus groups. The three viruses
selected to be included in this season's vaccine were selected
in February 2007 as the viruses that appeared most likely to be
circulating during this influenza season. The degree of
antigenic match between current influenza vaccine strains and
the influenza viruses that are circulating this season will
continue to be assessed as more viruses become available for
analysis. To date, 91% of influenza A (H1N1) viruses sent to CDC
for antigenic characterization were similar to A/Solomon
Islands/3/2006, the influenza A (H1N1) component of the 2007-08
influenza vaccine. Although the majority of influenza A (H3N2)
and influenza B viruses are not optimally matched, vaccination
with the trivalent influenza vaccine continues to be recommended
because the vaccine can provide partial protection against
related strains and reduce the risk for influenza-related
complications and deaths. In addition, the vaccine contains
three strains, and communities can experience outbreaks with
more than one strain of influenza in a given year.
Vaccination with trivalent influenza vaccines remains the best
method for preventing influenza and its potentially severe
complications. Although influenza activity is on the rise,
vaccination during the current season still can provide benefit.
Because persons require approximately 2 weeks after vaccination
to develop immune response to vaccination, use of neuraminidase
inhibitors for prevention of influenza in the 2 weeks after
vaccination might be considered, especially for persons at high
risk during a documented influenza outbreak.
Antiviral medications are an important tool for treatment of
influenza and also can be used for prevention. Recent studies
have identified a considerable protective effect of antiviral
treatment against complications associated with influenza,
including death among older adults hospitalized with laboratory-confirmed influenza. This season, a low level of resistance to
the influenza antiviral drug oseltamivir among influenza A
viruses (16 of 270 tested, 5.9%) has been detected. All 16
resistant viruses identified this season were of the influenza A
(H1N1) subtype and share the same genetic mutation; this
mutation is the most common mutation in this subtype that
confers resistance to oseltamivir. Given the low level of
resistance to oseltamivir, the finding of resistance only in
influenza A (H1N1) viruses, and no resistance to zanamivir,
these drugs continue to be recommended for the treatment and
prophylaxis of influenza. Although recommendations for use of
antiviral medications have not changed, enhanced surveillance
for detection of oseltamivir-resistant viruses is ongoing and
will enable continued monitoring for changing trends over time.
In addition to vaccination and antivirals, other means of
decreasing the spread and impact of influenza include frequent
hand washing, staying home from work or school when ill, and
covering the nose or mouth with a tissue when coughing or
sneezing. Additional information is available at
http://www.cdc.gov/flu/protect/habits.htm
To access a web-text (HTML) version of the complete Early
Release, go to:
http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm57e215a1.htm
To access a ready-to-print (PDF) version of it, go to:
http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/pdf/wk/mm57e215.pdf
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4. |
CDC reports on status of invasive
pneumococcal disease in children five years after PCV7 introduction
CDC published "Invasive Pneumococcal Disease in
Children 5 Years
After Conjugate Vaccine Introduction--Eight States, 1998-2005"
in the February 15 issue of MMWR. Portions of the article are
reprinted below.
Streptococcus pneumoniae (pneumococcus) is a major cause of
meningitis, pneumonia, and bacteremia, especially among young
children and older adults. Before the 7-valent pneumococcal
conjugate vaccine (PCV7) was introduced in the United States in
2000, the seven pneumococcal serotypes covered by the vaccine
(4, 6B, 9V, 14, 18C, 19F, and 23F) caused 80% of invasive
pneumococcal disease (IPD) cases among young children, and the
incidence of IPD was relatively stable. In October 2000, the
Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices recommended PCV7
for all children aged <2 years and for older children at
increased risk for IPD. Introduction of PCV7 in the United
States led to substantial reductions in the incidence of IPD
among the target population of children aged <5 years. Use of
the vaccine also reduced IPD among unvaccinated populations
through reductions in nasopharyngeal colonization and
transmission of vaccine-type pneumococci from vaccinated
children (i.e., indirect, or herd, effects of PCV7). To evaluate
the effect of continued PCV7 use on IPD incidence among children
aged <5 years in the United States, CDC analyzed population- and
laboratory-based surveillance data. Results of that analysis
indicated that in 2005, overall IPD rates among children aged <5
years were 77% lower, and an estimated 13,000 fewer cases of IPD
occurred, compared with the years preceding vaccine introduction
(1998-1999). Although IPD caused by PCV7 serotypes declined
through 2005, overall IPD rates leveled off beginning in 2002, primarily because of increases in the incidence of IPD caused by
non-PCV7 serotype 19A. Given these trends, use of expanded-valency conjugate vaccines might further reduce IPD incidence.
Continued surveillance is needed to guide development of future
formulations of conjugate vaccines and to monitor the effects of
continued vaccine use.
Cases of IPD were defined as isolation of pneumococcus from
normally sterile sites (e.g., blood, cerebrospinal fluid, or
pleural fluid). Cases were identified through CDC's Active
Bacterial Core surveillance (ABCs), a population- and
laboratory-based system ongoing since 1995. During 1998-2005,
ABCs continuously monitored IPD in California (one county); the
state of Connecticut; Georgia (20 counties); Maryland (six
counties); Minnesota (seven counties); New York (seven
counties); Oregon (three counties); and Tennessee (four
counties). The total population aged <5 years under surveillance
in 2005 was 1.26 million persons. Surveillance personnel at each
site maintain routine contact with all clinical laboratories in
the surveillance area and conduct laboratory audits every 6
months to ensure completeness of reporting. . . .
To access a web-text (HTML) version of the complete article, go
to: http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm5706a2.htm
To access a ready-to-print (PDF) version of this issue of MMWR,
go to: http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/PDF/wk/mm5706.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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5. |
February issue of CDC's
Immunization Works electronic newsletter now online
The February issue of Immunization Works, a
monthly email
newsletter published by CDC, is available on the website of the
National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases
(NCIRD). 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 February issue has already
appeared in previous issues of IAC Express. Following is the
text of four articles we have not covered.
SEASONAL INFLUENZA UPDATE
NOTE: because of the recent increase in influenza activity, this
edition of Immunization Update contains a special section
devoted to seasonal influenza.
INFLUENZA ACTIVITY: From September through early December,
influenza activity remained low in the United States. Activity
increased from early December through the end of the year and
has continued to increase in January and February. For the week
ending February 9, a total of 49 states reported either
widespread or regional activity. During the most recent three
influenza seasons (2004-05, 2005-06, and 2006-07), the number of
states reporting regional or widespread activity peaked at 41-48
states. Ten child death from laboratory confirmed influenza-complications have now been officially reported to CDC for the
2007-08 flu season. Tragically, every year in the United States,
some children die of complications from influenza infection.
During the past four years that CDC has tracked deaths among
children with influenza infections, the number of deaths
reported to CDC each year has ranged from 44 to 153 deaths.
Since influenza activity typically peaks in February or March,
it is too early to predict the severity of the current flu
season compared to other years. However, the latest surveillance
information about influenza activity is posted weekly at CDC's
Flu Activity & Surveillance Website [http://www.cdc.gov/flu/weekly/fluactivity.htm]. In addition,
CDC has published an Early Release Article
[http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm57e215a1.htm] in its
Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report concerning seasonal flu
activity.
VACCINE EFFECTIVENESS: Surveillance information indicates that
H3N2 viruses are currently the virus that are circulating most
widely in the United States, and the majority of these are not
optimally matched to the strains represented in the vaccine.
Influenza viruses are constantly changing so it's common for new
strains of influenza viruses to appear each year. The
effectiveness of the vaccine depends in part on the match
between the viruses in the vaccine and influenza viruses that
are circulating in the community. If these are closely matched,
vaccine effectiveness is higher. If they are not closely
matched, vaccine effectiveness can be reduced. However, even
when the viruses are not closely matched, the vaccine can still
protect many people and prevent flu-related complications. Such
protection is possible because antibodies made in response to
the vaccine can provide some protection (called cross-protection) against different, but related strains of influenza
viruses. Vaccination remains the best method for preventing
influenza and its potentially severe complications in children
and adults even in years where there is a suboptimal match
between vaccine and circulating strains of influenza viruses.
CDC will continue to study this season's vaccine's effectiveness
and will make more information available in the coming weeks.
For more information about the effectiveness of seasonal
influenza vaccine, see CDC's fact sheet, How Well Does the
Seasonal Flu Vaccine Work?
[http://www.cdc.gov/flu/about/qa/vaccineeffect.htm].
NEW INFLUENZA RESOURCES: CDC has recently added many more
influenza resources for the public, healthcare providers, and
the media. To support partners' continuing efforts to prevent
influenza this season, CDC has developed the "Take 3" Campaign
[http://www.cdc.gov/flu/protect/preventing.htm] with information
and materials on vaccination, hand hygiene, and cough etiquette,
and the appropriate use of antiviral drugs. CDC's Newly Revised
Flu Website [http://www.cdc.gov/flu] features the "Take 3"
campaign, as well as supplemental materials free for download.
Additional flu messages and materials can be found on CDC's Late
Season Vaccination Activities Website
[http://www.cdc.gov/flu/protect/late-season.htm]. Also,
transcripts from recent CDC press calls about seasonal influenza
are available at CDC's Transcripts Website
[http://www.cdc.gov/od/oc/media/transcripts.htm].
FRONT PAGE NEWS
REGIONAL MEETINGS FOR HEALTHY PEOPLE 2020: A series of Healthy
People 2020 Regional Meetings
[http://www.healthypeople.gov/hp2020/regional/default.asp] is
planned this spring so partners can help to establish a
framework to address risk factors and determinants of health and
the diseases and disorders that affect communities. There is no
fee for registration, but pre-registration is required
[http://www.healthypeople.gov/hp2020/regional/Registration.aspx]
Since 1979, Healthy People [http://www.healthypeople.gov/hp2020]
has set and monitored national health objectives to meet a broad
range of health needs, encourage collaborations across sectors,
guide individuals toward making informed health decisions, and
measure the impact of our prevention activity. Healthy People
2020 will reflect assessments of major risks to health and
wellness, changing public health priorities, and emerging
technologies related to our nation's health preparedness and
prevention. Public participation will shape Healthy People 2020; its purpose, goals, organization, and action plans. HHS will
seek input from communities and stakeholders across the nation
through public meetings and public comment periods. As a
national initiative, Healthy People's success depends on a
coordinated commitment to improve the health of the nation.
OTHER NEWS AND SUMMARIES
STATE GRANTEES TESTED IN EMERGENCY RESPONSE: CDC recently
concluded an eight week pilot test to assess the capability of
CDC and the 62 Public Health Emergency Preparedness grantees to
collect and transmit vaccine doses data administered through the
Countermeasure and Response Administration (CRA) System
[http://www.cdc.gov/phin/activities/applications-services/cra].
CRA is a CDC-developed application for tracking and reporting
countermeasure use during public health emergencies. The system
covers 50 states, 3 U.S. territories, 5 Pacific Island
Jurisdictions and the localities of Chicago, Los Angeles County,
New York City and Washington D.C. For this exercise, data from
seasonal influenza vaccine clinics was used as a proxy for
pandemic influenza vaccine. During the initial stages of an
influenza pandemic, tracking doses administered will be
important to ensure priority groups are being vaccinated
expeditiously. Overall, 89% (55/62) of project areas submitted
data for at least one seasonal influenza clinic during the pilot
period. Fifty-five percent (34/62) of project areas met the
criteria to be considered fully successful: (1) transmit the
minimum data set for two distinct clinic dates; (2) transmit the
data within 48 hours of the vaccine doses administration date.
CDC plans to hold a follow-on exercise during the 2008-2009
influenza seasons.
MEETINGS, CONFERENCES & RESOURCES
Get Ready for NIC: The 42nd National Immunization Conference
(NIC) will be held from March 17–20, 2008, in Atlanta, Georgia,
and will be comprised of six topic tracks: Adolescent and Adult
Vaccination, Epidemiology and New Vaccines, Health and Risk
Communication, Immunization Information Systems, Influenza, and
Programmatic Issues. Abstract submission is now closed. More
information can be found on the NIC Website
[http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/events/nic]. Or, questions can be
addressed to the Conference Planning Team at nipnic@cdc.gov
Issues of Immunization Works are posted on CDC's Vaccines &
Immunizations website a few days after publication. To access
the February issue, go to:
http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/news/newsltrs/imwrks Click on the
link titled "Feb" under the banner titled "2008 Newsletters
Available Online."
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6. |
Reported pediatric influenza
death prompts response from CIIC; new brochure urges annual influenza
vaccination
On February 12, the Childhood Influenza
Immunization Coalition
(CIIC) issued a statement in response to recent reports of at
least one pediatric death from influenza. In addition, the CIIC
website has posted a new parent education brochure, "Kids Need
Flu Vaccine, Too!" It urges parents to protect their children,
themselves, and others by getting annual influenza vaccination.
Portions of the statement are reprinted below. A link to the new
brochure is given at the end of this IAC Express article.
The recent influenza outbreaks across the country, resulting in
at least one confirmed death of a child, are a stark reminder
that the influenza virus is a serious disease and as widespread
as ever.
The reality is that influenza hospitalizes more than 20,000
children younger than 5 years of age each year in the United
States--and causes approximately 100 [pediatric] deaths. These
statistics are particularly tragic because many childhood
influenza infections through annual immunization; however,
vaccination rates among children are dismally low. . . .
The Childhood Influenza Immunization Coalition is committed to
increasing vaccination rates among children. Disturbed by low
rates of only 20.6% among children recommended for the influenza
vaccine, the Coalition recently issued a report outlining
strategies for parents and healthcare professionals to help
improve immunization rates among this vulnerable population. Two
key findings of the report are offering influenza vaccinations
at all medical visits and making use of the full season--vaccinating as soon as vaccines are available and also using
every opportunity to vaccinate throughout the winter into
February and March because the influenza vaccine continues to be
of benefit while the virus circulates. . . .
To access the entire statement, click
here.
To access and/or download the new brochure, go to:
http://preventchildhoodinfluenza.org/resource/Coalition_Brochure.pdf
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7. |
Important: Be sure to give
influenza vaccine throughout the influenza season--from now through spring
Influenza vaccination should continue from now
into the early
months of 2008. Visit the following websites often to find the
information you need to keep vaccinating. Both are continually
updated with the latest resources.
The National Influenza Vaccine Summit website at
http://www.preventinfluenza.org
CDC's Seasonal Flu web section at http://www.cdc.gov/flu
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8. |
WHO recommends composition of
2008-09 influenza vaccine for Northern Hemisphere; CDC website posts Q&A on
selecting viruses for influenza vaccine
The WHO website recently posted the
organization's
recommendation for the composition of influenza virus vaccines
for use in the Northern Hemisphere in 2008-09. In a related
move, on February 12, the CDC website posted a Q&A on selecting
viruses for influenza vaccine. A link to the Q&A appears at the
end of this IAC Express article.
The WHO recommendation is that influenza vaccines for the 2008-09 influenza season contain the following influenza virus
strains:
-
An A/Brisbane/59/2007 (H1N1)-like virus
-
An A/Brisbane/10/2007 (H3N2)-like virus
-
A B/Florida/4/2006-like virus
To access the information on the WHO website,
click
here.
To access the Q&A from the CDC website, go to:
http://www.cdc.gov/flu/professionals/vaccination/virusqa.htm
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9. |
February 14 issue of IAC's Hep
Express electronic newsletter now online
The February 14 issue of Hep Express, an
electronic newsletter
published by IAC, is now available online. It is intended for
health professionals, program planners, and advocates involved
in prevention, screening, and treatment of viral hepatitis.
IAC Express has already covered some of the information
presented in the February 14 Hep Express; titles of articles we
have not yet covered follow.
-
Projects in Knowledge offers two continuing education
opportunities related to hepatitis B and Asian Americans
-
Latino Organization for Liver Awareness sponsoring New York
City Hepatitis C Walk
-
AAPCHO [Association of Asian Pacific Community Health
Organizations] schedules 20th Anniversary conference for March
10-11, in Washington, DC
-
Journal articles you may have missed
To access the February 14 issue, go to:
http://www.hepprograms.org/hepexpress/issue67.asp
To sign up for a free subscription to Hep Express, go to:
http://www.immunize.org/subscribe
To access previous issues of Hep Express, go to:
http://www.hepprograms.org/hepexpress
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10. |
On-site course, Epidemiology and
Prevention of Vaccine-Preventable Diseases, scheduled for Atlanta on April
15-16
[The following is cross posted, with thanks, from
the February
issue of CDC's Immunization Works electronic newsletter.]
ON-SITE TRAINING IN ATLANTA: A two-day Epidemiology and
Prevention of Vaccine-Preventable Diseases course will be held
in Atlanta on April 15-16, 2008 at CDC. Space is limited.
Questions can be directed to Laverne Graham at (404) 639-8225.
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11. |
CDC reports on progress in
introducing Hib vaccine in low-income countries worldwide during 2004-07
CDC published "Progress Toward Introduction of
Haemophilus
influenzae type b Vaccine in Low-Income Countries--Worldwide,
2004-07" in the February 15 issue of MMWR. Portions of the
article are reprinted below.
In addition, on February 14, CDC issued a press release on the
topic. A link to the press release appears at the end of this
IAC Express article.
Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) disease is estimated to
cause 3 million cases of meningitis and severe pneumonia and
approximately 386,000 deaths worldwide per year in children aged
<5 years. Safe and effective Hib conjugate vaccines have been
widely used in industrialized countries for nearly 20 years.
However, primarily because of financial constraints and lack of
awareness among both public health officials and the public
regarding Hib disease burden and benefits of the vaccine, use of
these vaccines has been low in developing countries, where most
Hib disease and deaths occur. In 2000, the GAVI Alliance
(formerly known as the Global Alliance for Vaccines and
Immunizations) began providing financial support for Hib vaccine
in 72 countries that had a gross national income of <=$1,000
(USD) per capita. Despite this support, before 2005, adoption of
Hib vaccine by these countries remained low. In response, in
June 2005, the GAVI Alliance established the Hib Initiative to
accelerate evidence-informed decision making regarding use of
Hib vaccine in GAVI-eligible countries. During 2004-2007, the
number of GAVI-eligible countries using Hib vaccine or approved
to use the vaccine increased from 13 (18%) to 47 (65%). . . .
Editorial Note:
This report indicates that the number of GAVI-eligible countries
that have introduced Hib vaccine has accelerated during the past
2 years. Two primary factors have contributed to this increase.
First, in November 2006, WHO revised its position statement on
Hib vaccine to make a stronger and clearer recommendation that
Hib vaccine be included in routine vaccination programs in all
countries. Second, the worldwide Hib vaccine supply increased
with introduction of a second Hib pentavalent vaccine in 2006,
alleviating certain concerns about vaccine shortages. . . .
The success with Hib vaccine introduction suggests that
strategies used to accelerate introduction of underused vaccines
in developing countries have been effective. With the
availability of new vaccines such as rotavirus and pneumococcal
vaccines, the approach used for Hib vaccine introduction
provides a useful model to increase use of other vaccines.
To access a web-text (HTML) version of the complete article, go
to: http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm5706a3.htm
To access a ready-to-print (PDF) version of this issue of MMWR,
go to: http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/PDF/wk/mm5706.pdf
To access the related CDC press release, go to:
http://www.cdc.gov/od/oc/media/pressrel/2008/r080214a.htm
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