IAC encourages IAC Express readers to watch a two-minute video that aired on CNN on February 13, the day after the U.S. Court of Federal Claims ruled that MMR vaccine is not a cause of autism. In her video commentary, CNN broadcast journalist Campbell Brown unequivocally states, "The verdict is in. There is no connection between vaccines and autism. And it is time that all of us get our children vaccinated." She continues by pleading with parents to get their children vaccinated for their own good and for the good of the larger community.

The video will be available on the home page of IAC's website through March 1. To access it, go to: http://www.immunize.org and click on the image under the words Video of the Week, which you'll find toward the top of the page. It may take a few moments for the video to begin playing; please be patient!

Remember to bookmark IAC's home page to view a new video every Monday. While you're at our home page, we encourage you to browse around--you're sure to find resources and information that will enhance your practice's immunization delivery.

To view IAC's video collection, go to:
http://www.vaccineinformation.org/video

On February 10, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) issued a letter to clinicians that stresses that it is important for all children to receive the 3-dose primary series of Hib-containing vaccine. Even during the current vaccine shortage, there is enough vaccine to ensure that all children receive the primary series (at 2, 4, and 6 months). The letter presents information on vaccinating children who are not at increased risk of developing Hib disease, as well as information on vaccinating children who are at increased risk.

To access the letter and information about the Hib vaccine shortage, go to:
http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/vac-gen/shortages/downloads/hcp-hib-notice-feb09-508.pdf

For additional information on the Hib vaccine shortage, go to: http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/vac-gen/shortages Scroll down to the chart titled Chart of Vaccines in Delay or Shortage and click on the pertinent links in the section titled Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib).

IAC recently updated its information sheet "How to Administer IM and SC Injections" and its reference table "Administering Vaccines to Adults: Dose, Route, Site, Needle Size, and Preparation."

On "How to Administer IM and SC Injections," information in the sections on patient age, injection site, and needle size was revised, and a note was added about needle length. On "Administering Vaccines to Adults: Dose, Route, Site, Needle Size, and Preparation," a note was added about needle length. Other minor revisions were made to both pieces.

To access the revised "How to Administer IM and SC Injections," go to: http://www.immunize.org/catg.d/p2020.pdf

To access the revised "Administering Vaccines to Adults: Dose, Route, Site, Needle Size, and Preparation" go to: http://www.immunize.org/catg.d/p3084.pdf

IAC's Print Materials web section offers healthcare professionals and the public approximately 250 FREE English-language materials (many also available in translation), which we encourage website users to print out, copy, and distribute widely. To access all of IAC's free print materials, go to:
http://www.immunize.org/printmaterials

IAC recently revised two of its standing orders protocols: On "Standing Orders for Administering Pneumococcal Vaccine to Adults," cigarette smokers and people with asthma were added to the vaccination criteria. On "Standing Orders for Administering Rotavirus Vaccine to Infants," the age at which the final dose of vaccine can be administered was changed to "before age 8 months 0 days." Other minor changes were made to both pieces.

To access the revised "Standing Orders for Administering Pneumococcal Vaccine to Adults," go to:
http://www.immunize.org/catg.d/p3075.pdf

To access the revised "Standing Orders for Administering Rotavirus Vaccine to Infants," go to:
http://www.immunize.org/catg.d/p3087.pdf

To access a table with links to all IAC's standing orders protocols for vaccine administration and medical management of vaccine reactions, as well as standing orders for newborn-nursery hepatitis B vaccination, go to: http://www.immunize.org/standingorders

IAC's Print Materials web section offers healthcare professionals and the public approximately 250 FREE English-language materials (many also available in translation), which we encourage website users to print out, copy, and distribute widely. To access all of IAC's free print materials, go to:
http://www.immunize.org/printmaterials

The National Network for Immunization Information (NNii) recently added an essay to its website that outlines the scientific evidence showing that there is no association between vaccines and autism. The essay is adapted from chapter 8 of the book "Do Vaccines Cause That?! A Guide for Evaluating Vaccine Concerns." The book is written by Martin Myers, MD, and Diego Pineda, MS. They are, respectively, the editor and the science writer for NNii.

To access the essay, go to:
http://www.immunizationinfo.org/thimerosal_mercury_detail.cfv?id=146

The book "Do Vaccines Cause That?!" is available at bookstores and at DoVaccinesCauseThat.com (http://www.dovaccinescausethat.com).

The February issue of the AAP Immunization Initiatives Newsletter includes an article titled "Immunization Coding Questions and Answers from the AAP Coding Hotline."

To access the February issue, go to:
http://www.cispimmunize.org/resour/pdf/February2009_enews.pdf

To be added to the newsletter listserv, email cispimmunize@aap.org with "Newsletter" in the subject line and your name and email address in the body of the email.

To access archived issues, go to:
http://www.cispimmunize.org/resour/rsc_main.html

The "Shots 2009" quick-reference guides to the adult, child, teen, and catch-up immunization schedules are now available for Palm-OS handhelds and Pocket-PCs handhelds. Both are available on the website of the Group on Immunization Education of the Society of Teachers of Family Medicine.

To access "Shots 2009" for Palm-OS handhelds and Pocket-PCs handhelds, as well as "Shots 2009 Online," go to:
http://www.immunizationed.org/anypage.aspx?pgid=2

National Infant Immunization Week (NIIW) is an annual observance to highlight the importance of protecting infants from vaccine-preventable diseases. It is 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 25-May 2 and will coincide with Vaccination Week in the Americas.

Any health department or immunization coalition interested in promoting infant immunization within their community will find abundant useful information on the CDC's NIIW website. Resources include tools for planning events and promoting them through the media; listings of NIIW activities and events planned across the nation; and education materials for providers and parents.

To access NIIW resources, go to:
http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/events/niiw

Citing the re-use of syringes in healthcare settings other than hospitals as the cause of recent outbreaks of hepatitis B and C infections, the Safe Injection Practices Coalition recently launched the "One and Only" campaign. The campaign's slogan is "One Needle, One Syringe, and Only One Time" for each and every injection. The goal is to educate healthcare providers and patients about injection safety practices that ensure patient safety.

For information on the campaign, go to:
http://www.oneandonlycampaign.org

The Safe Injection Practices Coalition comprises CDC, patient advocacy groups, healthcare professional organizations, and industry partners.

Influenza activity is increasing, and yearly vaccination is the first and most important step in protecting against influenza and its complications. It is important to continue vaccinating into the spring months. The supply of influenza vaccine is robust; if you run out of vaccine in your work setting, please place another order.

For abundant information about influenza vaccination, visit the following two websites often. They 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

CDC published "Progress Toward Measles Elimination--European Region, 2005-08" in the February 20 issue of MMWR. A summary made available to the press is reprinted below in its entirety.

To receive a FREE electronic subscription to MMWR (which includes new ACIP recommendations), go to:
http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/mmwrsubscribe.html

Primarycareed.com has developed a webcast for clinicians titled "Preventing Meningococcal Disease: Defining Risk and Differentiating Serogroups." It presents information that will help clinicians identify patient groups at high risk for meningococcal infection, employ effective screening procedures, and routinely review immunization records to ensure appropriate vaccination rates.

For comprehensive information about the webcast, go to:
http://www.primarycareed.com/icme_BPE399_Meningitis_intro.htm

On March 13, health communicators, practitioners, researchers, and policymakers will come together to explore the key communication lessons the global initiative to eradicate polio offers the field of health communication. The event will be held at George Washington University in Washington, DC.

For additional information and online registration, go to: http://www.comminit.com/en/node/281131 Registration is limited to 120 attendees, so be sure to register soon.

The January issue of WHO's Global Immunization News includes a brief article titled "WHO recommendations for routine immunization." It is reprinted below in its entirety.

To access the January issue of Global Immunization News, go to:
http://www.who.int/immunization/GIN_January2009.pdf

The Minnesota Coalition for Adult Immunization (MCAI) will present the eighteenth annual "Issues and Strategies in Adult Vaccine Preventable Diseases" on March 13 at the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum in Chaska. The registration deadline is March 6.

To access the conference brochure and register online, visit http://www.stratishealth.org and look in the section titled News & Resources in the right column.

For additional information, contact Mari Drake at maridrake@comcast.net or (651) 428-6591.

This year, the annual Illinois Immunization and Communicable Disease Conference will include the 2009 Downstate Emergency Preparedness Summit. Both will be held on June 8-10 in Springfield. CE credit is available.

For information, contact the event coordinator, Angie Wanger, at (217) 522-5687 or ipha@ipha.com