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IAC Express 2008 |
| Issue number 714: March 3, 2008 |
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Contents
of this Issue
Select a title to jump to the article. |
- New: ACIP
votes to expand influenza recommendation to include vaccination for
children ages 6 months-18 years
- CDC
health advisory alerts clinicians to potential benefits of influenza
antiviral use during current influenza season
- CDC
website posts information for clinicians on MMRV vaccine safety
- CDC
reports on measles outbreak in San Diego during January and February
- CDC
reports on human rabies death in Canada in 2007
- CDC
issues health advisory about revised directions for using HyperRAB/SD
human rabies immune globulin in fixed needle 2 mL pre-filled syringe
- New:
CDC's Immunization Safety Office launches website to help public
understand the basics of vaccine safety
-
Important: Be sure to give influenza vaccine throughout the influenza
season--from now through spring
- NPHIC
develops resource library of communications materials on pandemic
influenza
-
California Department of Public Health releases new online presentation,
"Marketing Vaccines to Tweens"
- MMWR
notifies readers that CDC has begun distributing a new-generation smallpox
vaccine
-
International Conference on Emerging Infectious Diseases scheduled for
March 16-19 in Atlanta
- Vaccines
Summit to take place in London on June 16-17
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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 714: March 3, 2008 |
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1. |
New: ACIP votes to expand influenza recommendation to include vaccination for
children ages 6 months-18 years
On February 27, ACIP voted to expand the
recommendation for vaccinating children against influenza to include children
ages
6 months-18 years. The recommendation currently in effect calls
for vaccinating children ages 6-59 months. The expanded ACIP
recommendation will become a CDC recommendation once it is
accepted by the director of CDC and the Secretary of Health and
Human Services and after it is published in MMWR.
Portions of a CDC press release announcing the ACIP vote are
reprinted below. Also on February 27, the CDC website posted a
podcast for the public explaining the change in the ACIP
recommendation, and the Childhood Influenza Immunization
Coalition (CIIC) issued a press release related to the ACIP
vote. Links to the CDC podcast, to a transcript of the podcast,
and to the CIIC press release are given at the end of this IAC
Express article.
A panel of immunization experts voted today (February 27, 2008)
to expand the recommended ages for annual influenza vaccination
of children to include all children from 6 months through 18
years of age. The previous recommendation was for vaccination of
children from 6 months to 59 months of age. The expanded
recommendation is to take effect as soon as feasible, but no
later than the 2009-2010 influenza season.
The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), which
advises the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on
vaccine issues, voted on the new recommendation during its
February 27-28, 2008, meeting in Atlanta. The new recommendation
increases the number of children recommended for vaccination by
approximately 30 million.
Studies have shown that healthy children bear a significant
burden from influenza disease and are at increased risk of
needing influenza-related medical care. In addition, there is
evidence showing that reducing influenza transmission among
children has the potential to reduce influenza among their
household contacts and within the community. . . .
To access the complete CDC press release, go to:
http://www.cdc.gov/od/oc/media/pressrel/2008/r080227.htm
To listen to the CDC podcast, go to:
http://www2a.cdc.gov/podcasts/player.asp?f=8383
To access a transcript of the podcast, go to:
http://www2a.cdc.gov/podcasts/player.asp?f=8383#transcript
To access the CIIC press release, go to:
http://www.preventchildhoodinfluenza.org/media/press.php Scroll
down and click on the link to the press release dated February
27, 2008.
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2. |
CDC health advisory alerts clinicians to potential benefits of influenza
antiviral use during current influenza season
On February 29, CDC's Health Alert Network (HAN)
issued a health
advisory titled "Influenza Antiviral Use for Persons at High
Risk for Influenza Complications or Who Have Severe Influenza
Illness." It is reprinted below in its entirety.
Summary:
Recent surveillance data indicate that many communities are
reporting substantially increased influenza activity. This CDC
Health Advisory is intended to re-emphasize the importance of
considering antiviral medications for use in the treatment or
prevention of influenza. The two prescription antiviral
medications recommended for treatment or prevention of influenza
include oseltamivir (Tamiflu, Roche Laboratories, Nutley, NJ) or
zanamivir (Relenza, GlaxoSmithKline, Research Triangle Park,
NC). These antiviral medications are also known as neuraminidase
inhibitors. Recent studies suggest a considerable protective
effect against complications associated with influenza when
neuraminidase inhibitors are used for treatment. These benefits
include reducing the risk of death among older adults
hospitalized with laboratory-confirmed influenza. Because high
levels of resistance to adamantane antiviral medications
(rimantadine and amantadine) continue to be observed among
circulating influenza A viruses, adamantanes are not recommended
for treatment or prevention of influenza.
Background:
During this influenza season, a small increase in the number of
influenza viruses resistant to oseltamivir has been observed in
the United States. Among the 471 influenza A and B viruses
tested during the 2007–08 influenza season to date, 27 (5.7%)
have been found to be resistant to oseltamivir, compared with
0.7% during the 2006-07 season. All of the oseltamivir-resistant
viruses have been influenza A viruses of the H1N1 subtype; 8.7%
of the 310 H1N1 viruses tested are resistant to oseltamivir. No
resistance to oseltamivir has been observed among the 161
influenza A (H3N2) and influenza B viruses tested to date, and
no antiviral resistance to zanamivir has been detected in any
subtype.
Recommendations:
Given the low level of overall resistance to oseltamivir among
circulating influenza viruses, the finding of resistance only in
influenza A (H1N1) viruses, and no resistance to zanamivir,
neuraminidase inhibitor medications continue to be recommended
for the treatment and chemoprophylaxis of influenza. Antiviral
treatment should begin within 48 hours of symptom onset if
possible, but treatment should still be considered for persons
who present more than 48 hours after illness onset if they have
severe influenza illness or are at higher risk for severe
complications from influenza. Oseltamivir is approved for
treatment and prevention of influenza for persons 1 year and
older, while zanamivir is approved for treatment of persons 7
years and older and prevention of influenza in persons 5 years
and older. Enhanced surveillance for detection of oseltamivir-resistant influenza viruses is ongoing, and antiviral usage
recommendations will be revised to account for changes in
antiviral resistance trends as needed. Influenza A viral
isolates from affected persons in institutional outbreaks should
be subtyped. Healthcare providers should contact their local or
state public health department for assistance when an outbreak
of influenza in an institutional setting (e.g., a long-term care
facility) occurs. State health departments should consult with
CDC about the need for antiviral resistance testing when
influenza A (H1N1) viral isolates are obtained from outbreaks in
institutional settings.
In some communities, circulating influenza virus strains during
this influenza season are antigenically different from those
contained in current influenza vaccines. Preliminary results
from a rapid assessment of vaccine effectiveness suggest that
currently available influenza vaccines provide some protection
against influenza virus infection requiring medical care.
However, the level of protection is likely to be lower than what
is observed in seasons in which the vaccine strains are closely
matched to circulating influenza virus strains. When influenza
vaccine effectiveness is reduced, clinicians should be aware of
the potential for appropriately vaccinated persons to develop
influenza despite vaccination.
Because approximately 2 weeks is required to develop an optimal
immune response to influenza vaccination, use of neuraminidase
inhibitors for prevention of influenza during a confirmed
influenza institutional outbreak should be considered for
persons at higher risk for influenza complications and who were
vaccinated within the previous 2 weeks. Persons who were
vaccinated more than two weeks before a suspected influenza
virus exposure, but who are less likely to develop protective
immunity after vaccination (e.g., persons in long-term care
facilities or persons with immunosuppression), can be considered
for antiviral chemoprophylaxis when local influenza surveillance
data indicate that influenza activity is high.
Clinicians should consider whether to recommend influenza
antiviral treatment based on the severity of the patient's
illness, the time since illness onset, local influenza
surveillance data, and influenza test results. Rapid diagnostic
tests for influenza have good specificity, but are only
moderately sensitive. Positive rapid tests are generally
reliable when influenza activity is high in a community and are
useful in deciding whether to initiate antiviral treatment.
Negative rapid test results are less helpful in making treatment decisions. When local influenza activity is high, persons with
severe respiratory symptoms or persons with acute respiratory
illness who are at higher risk for influenza complications
should still be considered for influenza antiviral treatment
despite a negative rapid influenza test unless illness can be
attributed to another cause. As reported in a previous HAN,
persons with severe influenza illness should also be assessed
for invasive bacterial co-infection, and appropriate
antimicrobial therapy directed at potential bacterial pathogens,
such as methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, might be
necessary.
To reduce the substantial burden of influenza in the U.S., CDC
continues to recommend a three-pronged approach: influenza
vaccination, use of neuraminidase inhibitor antiviral
medications when indicated for treatment or prevention, and use
of other measures to decrease the spread of influenza, including
promotion of hand hygiene, respiratory hygiene, cough etiquette,
and staying home from work and school when ill. Clinicians in
communities experiencing increased influenza activity should
consider prescribing the neuraminidase inhibitor antiviral
medications oseltamivir and zanamivir for the treatment of
influenza patients or for prevention of influenza when indicated
for institutional influenza outbreaks or for persons at high
risk for complications from influenza who have contraindications
to influenza vaccination.
For more information, please see the CDC website:
http://www.cdc.gov/flu/professionals/antivirals
If you have any questions about this Health Advisory, please
call the Influenza Division, Epidemiology and Prevention Branch
at (404) 639-3747.
After normal business hours, contact CDC's duty officer through
the CDC Director's Emergency Operation Center (DEOC) at (770)
488-7100.
To access the health advisory, click
here.
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3. |
CDC website posts information for clinicians on MMRV vaccine safety
On February 27, the CDC website posted a safety
update titled
"What Clinicians Need to Know About MMRV Vaccine Safety." The
safety update was posted in response to information presented to
ACIP on the risk of febrile seizures after vaccination with
measles-mumps-rubella-varicella vaccine (MMRV vaccine; ProQuad
[Merck]). Portions of the safety update are reprinted below.
On February 28, the FDA website posted "Information Pertaining
to Labeling Revision for ProQuad." A link to the FDA document is
given at the end of this IAC Express article.
PROVIDER SUMMARY
As part of routine safety monitoring for new vaccines, in 2007
CDC implemented a postlicensure vaccine safety study for the
combined MMRV vaccine in children aged 12–23 months, the age
when the first dose of MMRV or measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR)
and varicella vaccines is recommended.
Preliminary results from CDC's MMRV vaccine safety study among
children aged 12–23 months found--
- The rates of febrile seizures during the 7–10 days after
vaccination was about 2 times higher in children who received
MMRV vaccine (9 per 10,000 children vaccinated), compared with
children who received measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) and
varicella vaccines separately at the same visit (4 per 10,000
children vaccinated).
- During the 7–10 days after vaccination, about one additional
febrile seizure would be expected to occur for every 2,000
children who receive an MMRV vaccine instead of separate MMR and
varicella vaccines.
CDC, FDA, and ACIP continue to evaluate these preliminary
findings and other relevant data. They will communicate updates
and take any further necessary actions based on this evaluation.
CLINICAL GUIDANCE FOR USING THE MMRV VACCINE
Clinical guidance for using the MMRV vaccine at this time
includes--
- MMRV vaccine is currently in very limited distribution in the
United States, due to manufacturing issues unrelated to vaccine
safety or efficacy. MMRV vaccine is not expected to be widely
available before 2009; however, some clinics may have MMRV
vaccine in stock.
- ACIP continues to recommend two doses of vaccines to protect
against measles, mumps, rubella, and varicella. The first dose
is recommended at age 12–15 months, and the second dose is
recommended at ages 4–6 years.
- ACIP provisionally recommends that there is no preference for
use of combination MMRV vaccine over separate administration of
MMR and varicella vaccines. Provisional ACIP recommendations
become official when they are published in CDC's Morbidity and
Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR).
- Providers can choose whether to administer combination MMRV
vaccine or MMR and varicella vaccines separately for prevention
of measles, mumps, rubella, and varicella.
- Healthcare providers can remind parents that most children who
receive an MMRV vaccine do not have any problems, and being
vaccinated with MMRV or MMR and varicella vaccines is safer than
getting measles, mumps, rubella, or chickenpox.
- The second dose of MMRV or MMR and varicella vaccines is
recommended at age 4–6 years. It is not known whether the risk
of febrile seizures is higher in children aged 4–6 years who
receive an MMRV vaccine, compared with separate MMR and
varicella vaccines at the same visit. However, it is known that
the second dose of MMR or MMRV vaccine is less likely to cause
fever than the first dose, and rates of febrile seizures are
lower in the general population of children aged 4–6 years than
in children aged 12–15 months.
- ACIP recommends that a personal or family history of seizures
is not a contraindication or precaution for administration of
MMRV, MMR, or varicella vaccines.
- In February 2008, the MMRV package insert was updated based on
FDA's review of postmarketing data. The revised package insert
includes new and evolving information on the risk of febrile
seizures after MMRV vaccination.
- Febrile seizures generally have an excellent prognosis. The
peak age for febrile seizures is 14–18 months, which overlaps
with the ages when first doses of MMR and varicella vaccines are
recommended.
- Clinically significant adverse events that follow immunization
should be reported to the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System
(VAERS). A VAERS form is available online or by telephone at
(800) 822-7967. . . .
To read the complete CDC safety update, go to:
http://www.cdc.gov/od/science/iso/vsd/mmrv.htm
To access FDA's "Information Pertaining to Labeling Revision for
ProQuad," go to:
http://www.fda.gov/cber/label/proquadLBinfo.htm
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4. |
CDC reports on measles outbreak in San Diego during January and February
CDC published "Outbreak of Measles--San Diego,
California,
January-February 2008" in the February 29 issue of MMWR.
Portions of the article are reprinted below.
Measles, once a common childhood disease in the United States,
can result in severe complications, including encephalitis,
pneumonia, and death. Because of successful implementation of
measles vaccination programs, endemic measles transmission has
been eliminated in the United States and the rest of the
Americas. However, measles continues to occur in other regions
of the world, including Europe. In January 2008, measles was
identified in an unvaccinated boy from San Diego, California,
who had recently traveled to Europe with his family. After his
case was confirmed, an outbreak investigation and response were
initiated by local and state health departments in coordination
with CDC, using standard measles surveillance case definitions
and classifications. This report summarizes the preliminary
results of that investigation, which has identified 11
additional cases of measles in unvaccinated children in San
Diego that are linked epidemiologically to the index case and
include two generations of secondary transmission.
Recommendations for preventing further measles transmission from
importations in this and other U.S. settings include reminding
healthcare providers to (1) consider a diagnosis of measles in
ill persons who have traveled overseas, (2) use appropriate
infection-control practices to prevent transmission in health-care settings, and (3) maintain high coverage with measles,
mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine among children.
The index patient was an unvaccinated boy aged 7 years who had
visited Switzerland with his family, returning to the United
States on January 13, 2008. He had fever and sore throat on
January 21, followed by cough, coryza, and conjunctivitis. On
January 24, he attended school. On January 25, the date of his
rash onset, he visited the offices of his family physician and
his pediatrician. A diagnosis of scarlet fever was ruled out on
the basis of a negative rapid test for streptococcus. When the
boy's condition became worse on January 26, he visited a
children's hospital inpatient laboratory, where blood specimens
were collected for measles antibody testing; later that day, he
was taken to the same hospital's emergency department because of
high fever 104 degrees F (40 degrees C) and generalized rash. No
isolation precautions were instituted at the doctors' offices or
hospital facilities.
The boy's measles immunoglobulin M (IgM) positive laboratory
test result was reported to the county health department on
February 1, 2008. During January 31-February 19, a total of 11
additional measles cases in unvaccinated infants and children
aged 10 months-9 years were identified. These 11 cases included
both of the index patient's siblings (rash onset: February 3),
five children in his school (rash onset: January 31-February
17), and four additional children (rash onset: February 6-10)
who had been in the pediatrician's office on January 25 at the
same time as the index patient. Among these latter four
patients, three were infants aged <12 months. One of the three
infants was hospitalized for 2 days for dehydration; another
infant traveled by airplane to Hawaii on February 9 while
infectious. . . .
California allows personal beliefs exemptions (PBEs) to
vaccinations required of schoolchildren; parents can request
exemptions if all or some vaccinations are contrary to their
beliefs. The index patient and one of his siblings attended a
school with 376 children, who ranged in age from 5 to 14 years.
Thirty-six (9.6%) of the children had PBEs on file at the
school. Among the nine patients aged >=12 months, including the
index patient, eight were unvaccinated because of PBEs. Among
the 36 schoolchildren with PBEs, four had documentation of
previous measles vaccination, 11 were vaccinated during the
outbreak, and the remaining 21, who did not have evidence of
immunity to measles, were placed under voluntary quarantine for
21 days after their last exposure. Overall, approximately 70
children exposed to children with measles in the school, a day
care center, the pediatrician's office, and other community
settings were placed under voluntary home quarantine because
their parents either declined measles vaccination or they were
too young to be vaccinated.
As part of the public health response in San Diego, surveillance
has been enhanced to identify additional rash illnesses, and
outbreak response measures in the community are ongoing. In
Hawaii, ongoing response measures include following up airplane
and other contacts of the infant who traveled to Hawaii to
inform them of their potential exposure and refer them to their
physicians regarding their susceptibility to measles. Five
exposed infants, four airplane contacts, and one personal
acquaintance were administered immune globulin within 72 hours
of exposure. No secondary cases have been identified in Hawaii
to date. . . .
The community transmission that has occurred during the San
Diego outbreak is consistent with previous observations that the
frequency of vaccination exemptors in a community is associated
with the incidence of measles in that community; in addition,
imported measles cases have demonstrated the potential for
sizeable outbreaks in U.S. communities with suboptimal vaccine
coverage. The public health response to this outbreak has
included identification of cases, isolation of patients and
vaccination, administration of immune globulin, and voluntary
quarantine of contacts who have no evidence of measles immunity.
Costs associated with control of these outbreaks can be
substantial. In Iowa, the public health response to one imported
measles case cost approximately $150,000.
This outbreak also illustrates the risk for measles transmission
in healthcare settings. Airborne transmission of measles has
been reported in emergency departments, physician offices, and
pediatric ambulatory-care settings. Persons exposed to measles
should be instructed to inform all healthcare providers of their
exposure before entering a healthcare facility. Healthcare
personnel providing care to suspected measles patients (i.e.,
patients with febrile illness and generalized maculopapular rash
or known contacts with prodromal symptoms) should apply
appropriate isolation practices, including airborne precautions,
in addition to taking standard precautions for such patients. .
. .
Measles morbidity and mortality can be reduced through
vaccination with MMR vaccine. Vaccination of U.S. travelers can
reduce measles importations. Sustained high population immunity
through vaccination, effective surveillance, and robust public
health preparedness and response capacity are needed to keep the
United States free from indigenous measles transmission and
control any outbreaks associated with importations.
To access a web-text (HTML) version of the complete article, go
to: http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm5708a3.htm
To access a ready-to-print (PDF) version of this issue of MMWR,
go to: http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/PDF/wk/mm5708.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. |
CDC reports on human rabies death in Canada in 2007
CDC published "Human Rabies--Alberta, Canada,
2007" in the
February 29 issue of MMWR. A press summary of the article is
reprinted below in its entirety.
Rabies is a fatal but easily preventable disease. There is no
established effective therapy after the onset of illness.
Underestimation of the importance of the exposure can lead to a
fatal outcome. Persons bitten by a bat should immediately (1)
wash the wound thoroughly with soap and water; (2) capture the
animal, if this can be done safely (i.e., by avoiding direct
contact with the animal) or call local animal control services
for assistance and submit the animal for diagnostic testing; (3)
report the incident to relevant public health officials; and (4)
see a physician for evaluation regarding the need for
[postexposure prophylaxis].
On April 26, 2007, a 73-year-old man from Alberta, Canada, died
from encephalitis after 9 weeks in an intensive care unit (ICU).
The infection was caused by a rabies virus variant associated
with silver-haired bats. He was bitten by a bat on his left
shoulder while sleeping at home. He perceived the bite and
killed the bat, but was unaware of the risk of rabies
acquisition. Thus, he did not seek medical attention and did not
send the bat for diagnostic testing. Rabies is an acute
progressive fatal viral disease with no established effective
therapy after the onset of illness. The disease is easily
prevented if a person receives prompt and properly instituted
postexposure prophylaxis. An experimental approach to treat
human rabies requires early diagnosis; therefore, rabies should
be included in the differential diagnosis of any unexplained
acute progressive viral encephalitis.
To access a web-text (HTML) version of the complete article, go
to: http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm5708a1.htm
To access a ready-to-print (PDF) version of this issue of MMWR,
go to: http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/PDF/wk/mm5708.pdf
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6. |
CDC issues health advisory about revised directions for using HyperRAB/SD
human rabies immune globulin in fixed needle 2 mL pre-filled syringe
On February 26, CDC's Health Alert Network issued
a health
advisory titled "Important Safety Information--Revised
Directions for Using Rabies Immune Globulin (Human), HyperRAB
S/D in Fixed Needle 2 mL Pre-filled Syringe." Portions of the
advisory are reprinted below.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the
Food and Drug Administration (FDA) have been notified by
Talecris Biotherapeutics, Inc. that its Rabies Immune Globulin
(Human), HyperRAB S/D in fixed needle 2 mL pre-filled syringe
does not address all dosing situations. Specifically, the fixed
needle (22 gauge, 1.25 inch) and the absence of graduations on
the 2-mL pre-filled syringe do not permit administration of the
recommended dose of Rabies Immune Globulin (Human), HyperRAB S/D
in one or more of the following situations:
- A dose <2 mL is required (e.g. for pediatric use);
- A dose <2 mL must be injected over multiple sites; or
- An alternate needle (different length or gauge) is required
based on the patient (adult or child), wound, or site of
injection.
Three lots of HyperRAB S/D have been manufactured with the 2 mL
pre-filled syringe configuration. . . .
Healthcare providers may continue to administer HyperRAB S/D
supplied in the 2 mL pre-filled syringe by following the
"Revised Directions for Use" that are packaged with these lots.
The full "Revised Directions for Use" of these lots is available
on-line at http://www.fda.gov/cber/safety/hyperrab022208inst.pdf
Talecris has discontinued manufacturing the HyperRAB S/D fixed
needle 2 mL pre-filled syringe.
For additional information regarding this product, please
contact Talecris online at www.talecris.com, or call (919) 412-1030, or (800) 520-2807. . . .
To access the complete Health Advisory, go to:
http://www2a.cdc.gov/HAN/ArchiveSys/ViewMsgV.asp?AlertNum=00270
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7. |
New: CDC's Immunization Safety Office launches website to help public
understand the basics of vaccine safety
CDC's Immunization Safety Office (ISO) recently
launched a new
website intended to reach the public with scientifically
accurate messages that address widespread myths about the
dangers of vaccines. Designed and organized for easy navigation,
the new site helps the public understand the basics of vaccine
safety, describes ISO's public health activities, and directs
visitors to a variety of CDC resources about vaccines.
Some of the updated information includes concerns about vaccine
safety relating to sudden infant death syndrome, fainting after
vaccination, and vaccine recalls. Future plans include posting
the number of reports to the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting
System (VAERS) quarterly, adding links to scientific articles as
they are published, and addressing vaccine safety concerns as
they come up in the press.
To visit the site, go to: www.cdc.gov/vaccinesafety
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8. |
Important: Be sure to give influenza vaccine throughout the influenza
season--from now through spring
Influenza is currently circulating, and
vaccination should
continue from now until April and May. 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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9. |
NPHIC develops resource library of communications materials on pandemic
influenza
The National Public Health Information Coalition
(NPHIC)
recently announced the development of a new web section,
"Pandemic Flu Prepared," a resource library of free
communications materials about pandemic influenza. The library
includes brochures, fact sheets, press releases, public service
announcements, talking points, and more.
To access the library, go to www.nphic.org Scroll down the left
column and click on the box titled Pandemic Flu.
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10. |
California Department of Public Health releases new online presentation,
"Marketing Vaccines to Tweens"
The California Department of Public Health has
released a new
online presentation "Marketing Vaccines to Tweens". The 25-minute webcast discusses social marketing and disease
prevention. It offers insights and suggestions on health-related
social marketing directed at Tweens, (young people age 9-12
years) and how to empower them to get the immunizations they
need. Find out what motivates and inspires Tweens to action and
learn how to break down communication barriers and develop
effective Tween immunization campaigns.
To view the presentation, go to:
www.cdlhn.com/socialmarketingPHC.info
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11. |
MMWR notifies readers that CDC has begun distributing a new-generation
smallpox vaccine
CDC published "Notice to Readers: Newly Licensed
Smallpox
Vaccine to Replace Old Smallpox Vaccine" in the February 29
issue of MMWR. The notice is reprinted below in its entirety,
excluding references.
CDC has begun distribution of a new-generation smallpox vaccine,
ACAM2000 (Acambis, Inc., Cambridge, Massachusetts), to civilian
laboratory personnel, the military, and state public health
preparedness programs. ACAM2000 is a live, vaccinia virus
smallpox vaccine that was licensed for use in the United States
by the Food and Drug Administration in August 2007. ACAM2000
will be replacing Dryvax smallpox vaccine (Wyeth
Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Marietta, Pennsylvania) because of
withdrawal of the Dryvax license. ACAM2000 is a live vaccinia
virus derived from plaque purification cloning from Dryvax. The
safety data available from the ACAM2000 clinical trials indicate
a similar safety profile to Dryvax.
Wyeth intends to withdraw the Dryvax license and asks that all
remaining quantities of vaccine held by civilian and military
users be quarantined by February 29, 2008, for the purpose of
destruction. This withdrawal is not necessitated by any safety,
purity, or quality concerns with the product but rather is
consistent with a contract agreement between CDC and Wyeth. All
lots of Dryvax vaccine will expire on February 29, 2008, and
should not be used after that date.
All Dryvax vaccine should be destroyed on site. Vaccine vials
can be (1) dropped into the hospital sharps container and
autoclaved or (2) disposed of following the procedure for all
other biohazard materials. In sites where medical waste is
buried, soaking the medical waste in a 1:10 dilution of bleach
for at least 10 minutes before disposal is advised. All programs
that hold supplies of Dryvax vaccine must provide documentation
of Dryvax vaccine destruction to the CDC Drug Service by March
31, 2008. These programs are advised to use the Dryvax vaccine
destruction form.
CDC will continue to provide ACAM2000 smallpox vaccine to
protect responders as part of state public health preparedness
programs and civilian laboratory personnel who risk exposure to
orthopoxviruses. Unlike Dryvax, ACAM2000 expires 18 months after
release from the CDC Strategic National Stockpile. Requests for
smallpox vaccine should be directed to the CDC Drug Service by
email (drugservice@cdc.gov) or telephone ([404] 639-3670).
To access a web-text (HTML) version of the notice, go to:
http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm5708a6.htm
To access a ready-to-print (PDF) version of this issue of MMWR,
go to: http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/PDF/wk/mm5708.pdf
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12. |
International Conference on Emerging Infectious Diseases scheduled for March
16-19 in Atlanta
The International Conference on Emerging
Infectious Diseases
(ICEID) is a forum for public health professionals to explore
issues in surveillance, research, epidemiology, and prevention
and control of emerging infectious diseases. It is scheduled to
take place in Atlanta on March 16-19, dates coincidental with
the dates of the National Immunization Conference, which will be held in Atlanta on March 17-20.
For comprehensive information on ICEID, go to: http://www.iceid.org
Registration is complimentary for credentialed media
representatives, and pre-registration is encouraged. To pre-register, go to:
http://www.iceid.org/newsroom.asp
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13. |
Vaccines Summit to take place in London on June 16-17
The Vaccines Summit is scheduled for London on
June 16-17; a
half-day post-conference workshop on progress in the field of
cancer vaccines is scheduled for June 18. A discounted
registration price is available for those who register by March
31.
For complete information on the summit, go to:
http://www.smi-online.co.uk/events/overview.asp?is=4&ref=2863
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