IAC Express 2008
Issue number 718: March 17, 2008
 
Contents of this Issue
Select a title to jump to the article.
  1. March 2008 issue of Needle Tips offers many resources for childhood, adolescent, and adult immunization
  2. CDC updates its recommendations for administering combination MMRV vaccine
  3. VIS news: CDC releases interim VISs for MMR vaccine and varicella vaccine
  4. Important: Be sure to give influenza vaccine throughout the influenza season--from now through spring
  5. IAC updates hepatitis B resource for parents and immunization resource for health professionals
  6. March issue of CDC's Immunization Works electronic newsletter now available online
  7. For primary care practitioners: Interactive training program on increasing adult vaccination rates offers CE credit
  8. National Infant Immunization Week scheduled for April 19-26; CDC's online resources make it easy to promote
  9. CDC's Division of Viral Hepatitis announces poster contest
  10. March 13 issue of IAC's Hep Express electronic newsletter now online
  11. For immunization coalitions: 165 coalitions have posted information on www.izcoalitions.org--is yours one of them?
  12. MMWR reports on progress Eastern Mediterranean made in reducing and eliminating measles mortality during 1997-2007
 
Abbreviations
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.
  
Issue 718: March 17, 2008
1.  March 2008 issue of Needle Tips offers many resources for childhood, adolescent, and adult immunization

IAC recently mailed the latest issue of Needle Tips (March 2008) to 190,000 health professionals and others who work in the field of immunization. Packed with immunization and hepatitis resources for health professionals, patients, and parents, the 24-page issue is well worth downloading. All articles and education pieces, except editorials, have been reviewed by immunization and hepatitis experts at CDC.

You can view selected articles from the table of contents below or download the entire issue from the Web.

To download a ready-to-print (PDF) version of the entire issue, go to: http://www.immunize.org/nslt.d/n38/n38.pdf

The PDF file of the entire issue is large. For tips on downloading and printing PDF files, go to:
http://www.immunize.org/nslt.d/tips.htm

To view the table of contents with links to individual articles, go to: http://www.immunize.org/nt

The March issue includes several notable print resources on immunization and viral hepatitis, all of which can be downloaded:

  • Ask the Experts
  • Vaccine Highlights
  • Hepatitis B Facts: Testing and vaccination
  • Hepatitis A and B Vaccines . . . Be sure your patient gets the correct dose!
  • Vaccine Administration Record for Children and Teens
  • Vaccine Administration Record for Adults
  • Standing Orders for Administering Vaccines . . . Free and CDC-reviewed, they're ready for you to download, copy, and use!
  • Recommended Immunization Schedules for Persons Ages 0-18 Years, U.S., 2008
  • Recommended Adult Immunization Schedule United States, October 2007-September 2008
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2 CDC updates its recommendations for administering combination MMRV vaccine

CDC published "Update: Recommendations from the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) Regarding Administration of Combination MMRV Vaccine" in the March 14 issue of MMWR. Portions of the article are reprinted below.


On February 27, 2008, new information was presented to the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) regarding the risk for febrile seizures among children aged 12-23 months after administration of the combination measles, mumps, rubella, and varicella (MMRV) vaccine (ProQuad, Merck & Co., Inc., Whitehouse Station, New Jersey). This report summarizes current knowledge regarding the risk for febrile seizures after MMRV vaccination and presents updated ACIP recommendations that were issued after presentation of the new information. These updated recommendations remove ACIP's previous preference for administering combination MMRV vaccine over separate injections of equivalent component vaccines (i.e., measles, mumps, and rubella [MMR] vaccine and varicella vaccine). . . .

Availability of MMRV vaccine currently is limited in the United States because of manufacturing constraints unrelated to vaccine safety or efficacy. MMRV vaccine is not expected to be widely available before 2009; however, some clinics might have MMRV vaccine in stock.

Consistent with ACIP General Recommendations on Immunization, the 2007 ACIP recommendations for prevention of varicella included a preference for use of combination MMRV vaccine over separate injections of equivalent component vaccines (i.e., MMR vaccine and varicella vaccine). At its February 27, 2008, meeting, ACIP considered the preliminary results from the Vaccine Safety Datalink (VSD) and Merck studies, which suggested an increased risk for febrile seizures after the first dose of MMRV vaccine. Given the availability of alternative options for vaccination against measles, mumps, rubella, and varicella and the limited supply of MMRV vaccine, ACIP voted to change the preference language for MMRV vaccine to read as follows: "Combination MMRV vaccine is approved for use among healthy children aged 12 months-12 years. MMRV vaccine is indicated for simultaneous vaccination against measles, mumps, rubella, and varicella. ACIP does not express a preference for use of MMRV vaccine over separate injections of equivalent component vaccines (i.e., MMR vaccine and varicella vaccine)." ACIP also recommended establishing a work group to conduct in-depth evaluation of the findings regarding the increased risk for febrile seizures after the first dose of MMRV vaccine to present for consideration of future policy options. CDC, FDA, and ACIP will communicate updates and implement further necessary actions based on these evaluations.

Clinically significant adverse events that follow vaccination should be reported to the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS). Guidance about how to obtain and complete a VAERS form is available at http://www.vaers.hhs.gov or by telephone, (800) 822-7967. Additional information on MMRV vaccine and febrile seizures is available at http://www.cdc.gov/od/science/iso/vsd/mmrv.htm and http://www.fda.gov/cber/label/proquadlbinfo.htm


To access a web-text (HTML) version of the complete article, go to: http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm5710a3.htm

To access a ready-to-print (PDF) version of this issue of MMWR, go to: http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/PDF/wk/mm5710.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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3 VIS news: CDC releases interim VISs for MMR vaccine and varicella vaccine

On March 13, CDC released interim editions of the VISs for MMR vaccine and varicella vaccine. The interim VIS for MMR vaccine replaces the previous edition (dated 1/15/03); the interim VIS for varicella vaccine replaces the previous edition (dated 1/10/07).

The interim VISs for MMR vaccine and varicella vaccine have been updated to incorporate information about measles-mumps-rubella-varicella (MMRV) vaccine. This includes information about the increased rates of certain adverse events such as febrile seizures after MMRV vaccine administration. (IAC Express editor's note: See story #2 above for information on changes to ACIP's recommendations for giving MMRV vaccine.)

When giving MMRV vaccine, the new interim VISs should be used. When giving MMR vaccine or varicella vaccine separately, the previously published VISs may be used until stocks are depleted.

To access the interim VIS for MMR vaccine from the CDC website, go to:
http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/pubs/vis/downloads/vis-mmr.pdf

To access the interim VIS for MMR vaccine from the IAC website, go to: http://www.immunize.org/vis/mmr03.pdf

To access the interim VIS for varicella vaccine from the CDC website, go to:
http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/pubs/vis/downloads/vis-varicella.pdf

To access the interim VIS for varicella vaccine from the IAC website, go to: http://www.immunize.org/vis/varic07.pdf

For information about the use of VISs, and for VISs in more than 30 languages, visit IAC's VIS web section at http://www.immunize.org/vis

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4 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 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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5 IAC updates hepatitis B resource for parents and immunization resource for health professionals

IAC recently made minor revisions to a parent-education resource, "All Kids Need Hepatitis B Shots!" and substantial revisions to a professional-education resource, "Vaccine Administration Record for Children and Teens."

To access the revised "All Kids Need Hepatitis B Shots!" go to:
http://www.immunize.org/catg.d/p4055.pdf

To access the revised "Vaccine Administration Record for Children and Teens," go to:
http://www.immunize.org/catg.d/p2022.pdf

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6 March issue of CDC's Immunization Works electronic newsletter now available online

The March 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.

The Front Page News article from the March issue is about National Infant Immunization Week; similar information can be found in article #8 of this issue of IAC Express. Various other articles from the March issue of Immunization Works are covered in this issue or in previous issues of IAC Express. Following is the text of two articles we have not covered.


OTHER NEWS & SUMMARIES

MAINTAIN CURRENT RECOMMENDATION FOR MCV4: ACIP also voted against recommending universal vaccination of children 2 years through 10 years of age with meningococcal conjugate vaccine (MCV4). This vote maintains the current recommendation to vaccinate with MCV4 children at high risk 2 through 10 years old, all children 11 through 18 years old, and adults at high risk that are 19 years through 55 years old. For persons 2 through 55 years old, MCV4 is preferred; the meningococcal polysaccharide vaccination (MPSV) is an acceptable alternative if MCV4 is not available. Adults 56 years old and older at high risk should receive MPSV.


MEETINGS, CONFERENCES & RESOURCES

NATIONAL INFLUENZA VACCINE SUMMIT: The 2008 National Influenza Vaccine Summit (NIVS) will be held on May 12-13 in Atlanta, GA. The National Influenza Vaccine Summit, co-sponsored by the American Medical Association and the CDC, meets annually to provide a forum for discussing influenza vaccine issues with stakeholders from public, private and non-profit organizations. For more information, please visit The National Influenza Vaccine Summit Website.

Issues of Immunization Works are posted on CDC's Vaccines & Immunizations website a few days after publication. To access the March issue, go to: http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/news/newsltrs/imwrks Click on the link titled "Mar" under the banner titled "2008 Newsletters Available Online."

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7 For primary care practitioners: Interactive training program on increasing adult vaccination rates offers CE credit

The CDC website recently posted an interactive training program for primary care practitioners. "Increasing Adult Vaccination Rates: WhatWorks" gives each participant the opportunity to work through a case study in a setting similar to the one the participant works in. Continuing Education credits are available.

To learn more about the program, go to:
http://www2.cdc.gov/vaccines/ed/whatworks/index.html

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8 National Infant Immunization Week scheduled for April 19-26; CDC's online resources make it easy to promote

National Infant Immunization Week (NIIW) is an annual observance to highlight the importance of protecting infants from vaccine-preventable diseases and celebrate the achievements of immunization programs and their partners in promoting healthy communities. Since 1994, NIIW has served as a call to action for parents, caregivers, and healthcare providers to ensure that infants are fully immunized against 14 vaccine-preventable diseases. This year NIIW will be held April 19-26.

During NIIW 2008, hundreds of communities across the United States will join those in the Western Hemisphere and Europe to celebrate Vaccination Week in the Americas (VWA) and European Immunization Week. More than sixty countries around the world will participate.

Please visit http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/events/niiw for additional resources on planning an NIIW event and to download English and Spanish-language NIIW campaign materials including print ads, radio public service announcements (PSAs), sample op-ed articles, and other public relations and planning tools. You can also provide information on your 2008 NIIW activities/event through this web page.

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9 CDC's Division of Viral Hepatitis announces poster contest

[The following is cross posted from IAC's Hep Express electronic newsletter, 3/13/08.]

CDC's Division of Viral Hepatitis is sponsoring a national poster contest in honor of World Hepatitis Day, which will take place on May 19.

Individual artists of amateur and professional status are eligible to participate. Organizations who would like to submit a group entry are also eligible. There are three categories (General Viral Hepatitis Awareness, Hepatitis B, and Hepatitis C). Each individual or organization is allowed only one entry per category. Posters may be computer-generated/enhanced or handmade in any medium.

Submissions must be received by midnight Friday, April 18, 2008. A grand prize of $1000 will be awarded to the best poster from all the contest entries. A $250 prize will be awarded to the top entry in each category. Winning posters will be featured on CDC's website, printed, and distributed nationally.

Please tell colleagues, clients, family, and friends about the contest and encourage them to submit an entry. If your organization has a website or newsletter, please consider promoting the contest via these channels.

For official contest rules, or to submit an entry, visit http://www.cdc.gov/hepatitis/postercontest

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10.  March 13 issue of IAC's Hep Express electronic newsletter now online

The March 13 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 March 13 Hep Express; titles of articles we have not yet covered follow.

  • IAC adds information to its hepatitis prevention programs website
  • Washington State API Hepatitis B Task Force develops new brochure for pregnant women
  • HCV [hepatitis C virus] infections traced to Nevada endoscopy clinic
  • HBF [Hepatitis B Foundation] posts Winter 2008 issue of "B Informed" newsletter on its website
  • HBF offers seven podcasts related to hepatitis B
  • New York State Department of Health sponsoring hepatitis C conference on March 25
  • North American Syringe Exchange Convention to be held April 30-May 3, in Tacoma, WA
  • Digestive Disease Week to be held May 17-22, in San Diego
  • International Harm Reduction Conference scheduled for May 11- 15, in Barcelona, Spain
  • National Harm Reduction Conference set for November 13-16, in Miami

To access the March 13 issue, go to:
http://www.hepprograms.org/hepexpress/issue68.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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11.  For immunization coalitions: 165 coalitions have posted information on www.izcoalitions.org--is yours one of them?

Since its 2002 launch date, IAC's izcoalitions.org website (http://www.izcoalitions.org) has posted information from 165 immunization coalitions. The site includes data from coalitions at all levels (local, state, regional, and national) and of all types, vaccine-specific as well as age-specific (childhood, adult, senior).

This online database allows health professionals, immunization advocates, parents, and others to contact specific coalitions to find resources, share ideas, and form strategic partnerships. Searches can be done by coalition name or geographic area.

Be sure your coalition is part of this powerful web-based networking tool by logging on and checking for your coalition's listing. If your coalition is not listed, sign up today. If you're already signed up, and information about your coalition has changed, be sure to update your listing to help us keep izcoalitions.org current and accurate.

To search the izcoalitions.org website, go to:
http://www.izcoalitions.org

If you have questions or difficulties using the website, send an email to Janelle at janelle@immunize.org or call her at (651) 647-9009.

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12.  MMWR reports on progress Eastern Mediterranean made in reducing and eliminating measles mortality during 1997-2007

CDC published "Progress Toward Measles Mortality Reduction and Elimination--Eastern Mediterranean Region, 1997-2007" in the March 14 issue of MMWR. Portions of a summary made available to the press are reprinted below.


Countries of the World Health Organization's Eastern Mediterranean Region (EMR) have adopted in 1997 the goal to eliminate indigenous measles by 2010. Measles immunization and surveillance strategies have been developed and implemented to help achieve that goal, as well as to reduce the measles-associated mortality in the region in accordance with the goal set by the World Health Assembly in 2005 to achieve a 90 percent reduction in global measles-associated mortality by 2010 compared to 2000. Despite facing significant challenges including armed conflicts and civil strife in several countries, the estimated number of measles-related deaths in the Eastern Mediterranean Region (EMR) has decreased by more than 75 percent since 2000. To sustain measles mortality reduction and to achieve the regional measles elimination goal, all EMR countries will need to achieve a high coverage with the first dose of measles vaccine and with the second opportunity for measles immunization offered either as a routine second dose and/or provided through supplemental immunization activities (SIAs).


To access a web-text (HTML) version of the article, go to:
http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm5710a5.htm

To access a ready-to-print (PDF) version of this issue of MMWR, go to: http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/PDF/wk/mm5710.pdf

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About IZ Express

IZ Express is supported in part by Grant No. 1NH23IP922654 from CDC’s National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases. Its contents are solely the responsibility of Immunize.org and do not necessarily represent the official views of CDC.

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ISSN 2771-8085

Editorial Information

  • Editor-in-Chief
    Kelly L. Moore, MD, MPH
  • Managing Editor
    John D. Grabenstein, RPh, PhD
  • Associate Editor
    Sharon G. Humiston, MD, MPH
  • Writer/Publication Coordinator
    Taryn Chapman, MS
    Courtnay Londo, MA
  • Style and Copy Editor
    Marian Deegan, JD
  • Web Edition Managers
    Arkady Shakhnovich
    Jermaine Royes
  • Contributing Writer
    Laurel H. Wood, MPA
  • Technical Reviewer
    Kayla Ohlde

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