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IAC Express 2008 |
| Issue number 756: September 29, 2008 |
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Contents
of this Issue
Select a title to jump to the article. |
- Resource
from Dr. Ari Brown can help healthcare professionals work with
vaccine-hesitant parents
- AAP
releases policy statement on recommendations for influenza immunization of
children
-
Multi-vaccine VIS updated with new information about rotavirus vaccines
- Families
Fighting Flu expands website and offers new resources including a
not-to-be-missed new video
- Read
description and reviews of Dr. Paul Offit's new book, "Autism's False
Prophets"
- CDC
publishes information on influenza vaccination coverage of adults in the
2006-07 influenza season
- CDC
publishes information on influenza vaccination coverage of children age
6-23 months in the 2006-07 influenza season
- CDC
publishes information on influenza vaccination coverage of children age
6-59 months in the 2007-08 influenza season
- CDC
updates its Seasonal Flu web section with additional education materials
- CDC
reports on influenza activity in the United States and worldwide from May
18-September 19, 2008
- IAC
revises print piece for public about hepatitis A
- MMWR
reports on progress on measles elimination in Japan
- WHO
recommends influenza vaccine strains for southern hemisphere
- Errata:
MMWR publishes corrections to articles on pediatric general immunization
and influenza vaccination rates
-
Hepatitis Foundation International summit to be held November 13-14 in Las
Vegas
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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 756: September 29, 2008 |
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1. |
Resource from Dr. Ari Brown can help healthcare professionals work with
vaccine-hesitant parents
In response to the recent media attention given
to vaccines, autism, and other controversies concerning vaccines, IAC
received permission to reprint and distribute information for parents
previously published by Dr. Ari Brown in her book "Baby 411: Clear Answers &
Smart Advice for Your Baby's First Year."
The new 6-page article is titled "Clear Answers & Smart Advice About Your
Baby's Shots." In it, Dr. Brown discusses the etiology of autism, vaccines
and autism, mercury preservatives in vaccines, the Poling case, MMR vaccine
and autism, additives in vaccines, the number of recommended vaccines in the
childhood schedule, and more in a respectful and readable style. Feel free to
make copies and give them to parents with vaccine concerns.
Ari Brown, MD, FAAP, is a practicing pediatrician in Austin, TX, who received
her medical degree from Baylor College of Medicine and did her pediatric
residency at Harvard Medical School/Boston Children's Hospital.
To download this exciting new ready-to-copy article for parents on vaccine
concerns, go to:
http://www.immunize.org/catg.d/p2068.pdf
For more information about Dr. Ari Brown and her book titled "Baby 411," go
to
http://www.windsorpeak.com/baby411/default.html
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2. |
AAP releases policy statement on recommendations for influenza immunization
of children
On September 8, the American Academy of
Pediatrics (AAP)
published a policy statement online (ahead of print) made by
AAP's Committee on Infectious Diseases. Titled "Prevention of
Influenza: Recommendations for Influenza Immunization of
Children, 2008–2009," this statement updates the recommendations
for routine use of influenza vaccine in children and
adolescents.
To access a web-text (HTML) version of this statement, go to:
http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/cgi/content/full/peds.2008-2449v1
To access a ready-to-print (PDF) version of this statement, go
to:
http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/cgi/reprint/peds.2008-2449v1
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3. |
Multi-vaccine VIS updated with new information about rotavirus vaccines
On September 18, CDC posted an updated interim
edition of the
pediatric multi-vaccine VIS. This edition has been made
consistent with the recently updated rotavirus VIS by noting the
availability of two rotavirus vaccines in the "Routine Childhood
Vaccines" section and adding "irritability" to the mild problems
listed for rotavirus in the "Vaccine Risks" section.
Otherwise, the VIS is identical to the 1/30/08 edition.
Providers using the multi-vaccine VIS when administering Rotarix
should begin using the new edition now. When Rotateq is
administered, the older edition may be used until your older
multi-vaccine VIS supply is used up.
To access the 9/18/08 interim pediatric multi-vaccine VIS from
the IAC website, go to:
http://www.immunize.org/vis/vis_multi1.pdf
For information about the use of VISs, and for VISs in more than
35 languages, visit IAC's VIS web section at
http://www.immunize.org/vis
For general information about VISs from CDC's website go to:
http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/pubs/vis
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4. |
Families Fighting Flu expands website and offers new resources including a
not-to-be-missed new video
Families Fighting Flu (FFF) has expanded its
website to better
educate parents, families, physicians, and members of the media
about the seriousness of influenza in children as well as the
importance of increasing influenza vaccination rates in children
age 6 months-18 years.
New features of the website include Flu Fact vs. Fiction, a
section outlining common misperceptions about influenza and the
influenza vaccine; downloadable materials for parents and
physicians, including posters and flyers; and chapters from a
new book by Jon Abramson, MD, and his daughter Rebecca titled
"Families Fighting Flu: A Guide for Parents."
To access the expanded FFF website, go to:
http://www.familiesfightingflu.org
FFF and CDC have collaborated on a video titled "Why Flu
Vaccination Matters: Personal Stories from Families Affected by
Flu." Be sure you watch it and that parents know about it too.
The 7 minute video can be accessed from the FFF website or from
YouTube at http://www.youtube.com/cdcflu
Families Fighting Flu is a nonprofit, volunteer-based
organization established in 2004 that is made up of families and
healthcare practitioners. Each family has experienced first-hand
the death of a child due to influenza or has had a child
experience severe medical complications from influenza. FFF is
dedicated to educating people about the severity of influenza
and the importance of vaccinating children against influenza
every year.
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5. |
Read description and reviews of Dr. Paul Offit's new book, "Autism's False
Prophets"
A new book by Paul Offit, MD, titled "Autism's
False Prophets:
Bad Science, Risky Medicine, and the Search for a Cure" was
published this month. The publisher, Columbia University Press,
provided the following description of the book.
Children with autism have been placed on stringent diets,
subjected to high-temperature saunas, bathed in magnetic clay,
asked to swallow digestive enzymes and activated charcoal, and
injected with various combinations of vitamins, minerals, and
acids. Instead of helping, these therapies can hurt those who
are most vulnerable, and particularly in the case of autism,
they undermine childhood vaccination programs that have saved
millions of lives. An overwhelming body of scientific evidence
clearly shows that childhood vaccines are safe and does not
cause autism. Yet widespread fear of vaccines on the part of
parents persists.
In this book, Paul A. Offit, a national expert on vaccines,
challenges the modern-day false prophets who have so egregiously
misled the public and exposes the opportunism of the lawyers,
journalists, celebrities, and politicians who support them.
Offit recounts the history of autism research and the
exploitation of this tragic condition by advocates and zealots.
He considers the manipulation of science in the popular media
and the courtroom, and he explores why society is susceptible to
the bad science and risky therapies put forward by many anti-vaccination activists.
Columbia University Press also provided the following reviews of
Dr. Offit's book.
"No one has been more vocal--or courageous--than Paul A. Offit
in exposing the false and dangerous claims of the growing anti-vaccine movement. Offit's latest book lays waste to the supposed
link between autism and vaccination while showing how easily
Americans have been bamboozled into compromising the health of
their own children. 'Autism's False Prophets' is a must read for
parents seeking to fully understand the risks and rewards of
vaccination in our modern world."David Oshinsky, winner of the Pulitzer Prize in the history
category for his book "Polio: An American Story"
"Every child has a right to be vaccinated against deadly
diseases. We started Every Child By Two to protect children from
diseases. It didn't occur to me that I would also have to
protect them from misinformation about life-saving vaccines.
Paul A. Offit's book sets the facts straight."
Rosalynn Carter, former first lady, co-founder of Every Child By
Two
"A definitive analysis of a dangerous and unnecessary
controversy that has put the lives of children at risk. Paul A.
Offit shows how bad science can take hold of the public
consciousness and lead to personal decisions that endanger the
health of small children. Every parent who has doubts about the
wisdom of vaccinating their kids should read this book."
Peter C. Doherty, Ph.D., St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital
and Nobel Laureate in Medicine for fundamental contributions in
Immunology
"As a parent it is my job to protect my children. Hearing all
the rumors about vaccine side effects made me question the right
thing to do. This book makes it clear that vaccines save lives,
and that they clearly do not cause autism."
Amy Pisani, mother
You can buy "Autism's False Prophets" at your local bookstore,
from the Amazon and Barnes & Noble websites, or from Columbia
University Press by clicking
here.
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6. |
CDC publishes information on influenza vaccination coverage of adults in the
2006-07 influenza season
CDC published "State-Specific Influenza
Vaccination Coverage
Among Adults--United States, 2006-07 Influenza Season" in the
September 26 issue of MMWR. A summary made available to the
press is reprinted below.
Based on the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS)
survey, in the 2006-07 season, influenza vaccination coverage
among persons aged 18-49 years with high-risk conditions,
persons aged 50-64 years, and persons aged >=65 years were 35.1
percent, 42.0 percent, and 72.1 percent, respectively, which
indicated that vaccination rates in the 2006-07 season increased
compared with the 2005-06 season, but coverage was not higher
than during the pre-vaccine shortage 2003-2004 season.
Influenza epidemics occur seasonally and result in substantial
morbidity and mortality in the United States. Annual influenza
vaccination is recommended for anyone who wants it for their own
protection as well as for prevention of transmission to others,
but among adults especially for all persons aged >=50 years and
persons 18-49 years of age with high-risk conditions.
Influenza vaccination levels for the 2006-07 season and the
magnitude of change from the previous season varied among
regions, state/U.S. territories, high-risk, and racial/ethnic
groups. Further efforts are needed to increase influenza
vaccination coverage among adult populations in the United
States.
To access a web-text (HTML) version of the complete article, go
to: http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm5738a1.htm
To access a ready-to-print (PDF) version of this issue of MMWR,
go to: http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/PDF/wk/mm5738.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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7. |
CDC publishes information on influenza vaccination coverage of children age
6-23 months in the 2006-07 influenza season
CDC published "Influenza Vaccination Coverage
Among Children
Aged 6-23 Months--United States, 2006-07 Influenza Season" in
the September 26 issue of MMWR. The first paragraph of the
article is reprinted below, excluding references.
Children aged <5 years have more influenza-related medical-care
visits compared with older children, and those aged <2 years are
at the greatest risk for influenza-related hospitalizations. In
2002, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP)
encouraged annual influenza vaccination of children aged 6-23
months and then, in 2004, recommended vaccination for this
group. Two doses, spaced at least 4 weeks apart, are recommended
to fully vaccinate children aged <9 years who are receiving
influenza vaccination for the first time. This report, based on
data from the 2007 National Immunization Survey (NIS), provides
an assessment of influenza vaccination coverage among children
aged 6-23 months during September-December of the 2006-07
influenza season. Nationally, 31.8 percent of children received
1 or more doses of influenza vaccine, and 21.3 percent were
fully vaccinated, with substantial variability among states. The
findings underscore the need to increase interest in and access
to influenza vaccination for more children in the United States.
Further study is needed to identify knowledge deficits or
logistical barriers that might contribute to continued low
influenza vaccination coverage among young children.
To access a web-text (HTML) version of the complete article, go
to: http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm5738a2.htm
To access a ready-to-print (PDF) version of this issue of MMWR,
go to: http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/PDF/wk/mm5738.pdf
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8. |
CDC
publishes information on influenza vaccination coverage of children age 6-59
months in the 2007-08 influenza season
CDC published "Influenza Vaccination Coverage
Among Children
Aged 6-59 Months--Eight Immunization Information System Sentinel
Sites, United States, 2007-08 Influenza Season" in the September
26 issue of MMWR. The first paragraph of the article is
reprinted below, excluding references.
Vaccination is the most effective way to prevent influenza-associated morbidity and mortality. However, influenza
vaccination coverage among children historically has been low.
The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP)
recommends annual vaccination with influenza vaccine for all
children aged 6-59 months. Previously unvaccinated children and
children who received only 1 vaccine dose for the first time in
the previous influenza season are recommended to receive 2
influenza vaccine doses. To assess vaccination coverage among
children aged 6-59 months during the 2007-08 influenza season,
CDC analyzed data from the eight immunization information system
(IIS) sentinel sites. For the eight sites, an average
(unweighted) of 40.8 percent of children aged 6-23 months
received 1 or more influenza vaccine doses, and an average of
22.1 percent were fully vaccinated. Among children aged 24-59
months, an average of 22.2 percent received 1 or more doses, and
an average of 16.5 percent were fully vaccinated. These results
indicate that influenza vaccination coverage among children
remains low and highlight the need to identify additional
barriers to influenza vaccination and to develop more effective
interventions to promote vaccination of children aged 6-59
months who are at high risk for influenza-related morbidity and
mortality.
To access a web-text (HTML) version of the complete article, go
to http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm5738a3.htm
To access a ready-to-print (PDF) version of this issue of MMWR,
go to: http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/PDF/wk/mm5738.pdf
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9. |
CDC
updates its Seasonal Flu web section with additional education materials
CDC recently updated its Seasonal Flu website
with more
resources for the 2008-09 influenza season, including the
following three new web pages.
Children, the Flu, and the Flu Vaccine
http://www.cdc.gov/flu/protect/children.htm
Protecting Against Influenza (Flu): Advice for Caregivers of
Children Less Than 6 Months Old
http://www.cdc.gov/flu/protect/infantcare.htm
Seasonal Flu Information for Schools & Childcare Providers
http://www.cdc.gov/flu/school/index.htm
In addition, CDC is currently featuring influenza on its home
page at http://www.cdc.gov The link provided there goes to a
page of influenza information for the public titled "Flu Season
is Here: Learn How to Protect Yourself and Your Loved Ones."
This page can also be accessed directly at
http://www.cdc.gov/Features/FLU
Visitors to this page are encouraged to send an influenza
vaccination-themed electronic postcard to friends or loved ones
from click
here.
To access a broad range of continually updated information on
seasonal influenza, avian influenza, pandemic influenza, swine
influenza, and canine influenza, go to: http://www.cdc.gov/flu
The National Influenza Vaccine Summit's website also contains
extensive information and resources on influenza. Visit
http://www.preventinfluenza.org often.
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10. |
CDC reports on influenza activity in the United States and worldwide from May
18-September 19, 2008
CDC published "Influenza Activity--United States
and Worldwide,
May 18-September 19, 2008" in the September 26 issue of MMWR.
The first two paragraphs of the Editorial Note are reprinted
below, excluding references.
During May 18-September 19, 2008, influenza A (H1), influenza A
(H3), and influenza B viruses were detected worldwide. The
influenza virus type and subtype that will predominate, the
severity of influenza-related disease activity, and the level of
antiviral resistance during the 2008-09 influenza season cannot
be forecast in advance of the influenza season. However, of the
isolates submitted for antigenic characterization during May
through early September from Northern and Southern Hemisphere
countries, the majority were antigenically similar to the
viruses contained in the 2008-09 influenza vaccine for the
Northern Hemisphere.
Annual influenza vaccination remains the best method for
preventing influenza and its potentially severe complications.
When vaccine strains are well matched to influenza viruses
circulating during the influenza season, vaccine effectiveness
typically exceeds 50 percent and can be as high as 70-90 percent
in healthy adults. Data from an interim within-season vaccine
effectiveness study during the 2007-08 influenza season showed
that overall vaccine effectiveness for prevention of medically
attended, laboratory-confirmed influenza infection was 44
percent, despite a suboptimal match between two of the three
vaccine strains and the predominant circulating strain. Vaccine
effectiveness against influenza A (H3N2), the subtype most
frequently associated with increases in influenza-related
complications and deaths, was 58 percent. These data demonstrate
that influenza vaccination can offer substantial benefit, even
in years where the match between circulating strains and vaccine
strains is suboptimal.
To access a web-text (HTML) version of the complete article, go
to: http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm5738a4.htm
To access a ready-to-print (PDF) version of this issue of MMWR,
go to: http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/PDF/wk/mm5738.pdf
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11. |
IAC revises print piece for public about hepatitis A
IAC recently reviewed and revised an educational
piece for the
public titled "Hepatitis A is a serious liver disease.
Vaccination can protect you!" Updated information includes the
age for routine childhood immunization and changes regarding
pre-travel and post-exposure prophylaxis.
To access the revised "Hepatitis A is a serious liver disease.
Vaccination can protect you!" go to:
http://www.immunize.org/catg.d/p4080.pdf
IAC's Print Materials web section has more than 175 FREE, ready-to-copy English-language materials for healthcare professionals
and the public--as well as many in translation. To access all of IAC's free print materials, go to:
http://www.immunize.org/printmaterials
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12. |
MMWR reports on progress on measles elimination in Japan
CDC published "Progress Toward Measles
Elimination--Japan, 1999-2008" in the September 26 issue of MMWR. The first paragraph of
the article is reprinted below.
In 2005, the Regional Committee of the World Health Organization
(WHO) Western Pacific Region (WPR) set a target date of 2012 for
measles elimination in all WPR member states. In Japan, measles
control strategies have included 1) a nationwide public
awareness campaign implemented in 2001 to promote timely
vaccination with the first dose of measles-containing vaccine
(MCV1) administered on or after age 12 months, and 2) a 2-dose
MCV schedule with the second dose (MCV2) administered at age 5-6
years, adopted in 2006 in accordance with the recommended WPR
measles elimination strategy. However, during 2007-2008, Japan
experienced a large measles outbreak, which resulted in
exportation of measles cases from Japan into countries where
measles elimination had been achieved. This report describes the
epidemiology of measles in Japan during 1999-2008 and approval
of a National Measles Elimination Plan in December 2007 that
includes recommendations for immunization strategies, case-based
measles surveillance, and monitoring to ensure elimination of
measles by 2012. Measles continues to be endemic in Japan, with
most cases occurring in children before school entry, except for
2007 and 2008, when a shift to an older age group was observed.
With implementation of the National Measles Elimination Plan,
Japan is expected to make progress toward achieving the WPR
measles elimination goal.
To access a web-text (HTML) version of the complete article, go
to: http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm5738a5.htm
To access a ready-to-print (PDF) version of this issue of MMWR,
go to: http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/PDF/wk/mm5738.pdf
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13. |
WHO recommends influenza vaccine strains for southern hemisphere
The World Health Organization (WHO) has
recommended that
influenza vaccines for the southern hemisphere's 2009 flu season
be based on the same three viral strains as this year's
vaccines.
To read WHO's "Recommended Composition of Influenza Vaccines for
Use in the 2009 Southern Hemisphere Influenza Season," go to:
http://www.who.int/csr/disease/influenza/200809Recommendation.pdf
To read an article about the WHO recommendations from the Center
for Infectious Disease Research & Policy, University of
Minnesota, click
here.
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14. |
Errata: MMWR publishes corrections to articles on pediatric general
immunization and influenza vaccination rates
CDC published " Errata: Vol. 56, Nos. 34 and 37"
in the
September 26 issue of MMWR. The article is reprinted below in
its entirety.
In Vol. 56, No. 34, in the report, "National, State, and Local
Area Vaccination Coverage Among Children Aged 19-35 Months--United States, 2006," minor errors (generally one tenth of 1%)
occurred in national, state, and local coverage estimates for
the combined 4:3:1:3:3:1 vaccine series and for certain
individual vaccines. For the 4:3:1:3:3:1 vaccine series, the
national coverage estimate should read 76.9%. Similarly,
national vaccination coverage estimates for poliovirus; measles,
mumps, and rubella; hepatitis B; and varicella vaccines should
read 92.8%, 92.3%, 93.3%, and 89.2%, respectively.
In Vol. 56, No. 37, in the report, "Influenza Vaccination
Coverage Among Children Aged 6-23 Months--United States, 2005-06
Influenza Season," minor errors occurred in national, state, and
local coverage estimates of influenza vaccination coverage. The
national coverage estimate for 1 or more doses of influenza
vaccine should read 32.2%, and the national coverage estimate
for children fully vaccinated with influenza vaccine should read
20.9%.
Additional information is available at
http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/stats-surv/nis/data/tables_2006.htm
To access a web-text (HTML) version of the complete article, go
to: http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm5738a7.htm
To access a ready-to-print (PDF) version of this issue of MMWR,
go to: http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/PDF/wk/mm5738.pdf
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15. |
Hepatitis Foundation International summit to be held November 13-14 in Las Vegas
The Southwest Viral Hepatitis Summit will be held
November 13-
14, 2008, in Las Vegas, NV. The conference is sponsored by
Hepatitis Foundation International (HFI) and is intended for
physicians, physician assistants, nurses, psychologists,
counselors, outreach workers, patient advocates, and others
working with people who are affected by or infected with viral
hepatitis.
For information about the agenda or registration, go to:
http://www.hepfi.org/pdfs/SouthWest_Summit_Registration_&_Agenda.001.pdf
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