IAC Express 2010

Healthcare professionals will find IAC's newest handout, "Evidence Shows Vaccines Unrelated to Autism," to be extremely helpful when talking with parents who have read about or heard claims that vaccines cause autism. The 2-page document lays out scientific evidence that refutes claims that any relationship exists between vaccines and autism. It also presents information on the findings of current research into autism's causes.

To access "Evidence Shows Vaccines Unrelated to Autism," go to: http://www.immunize.org/catg.d/p4028.pdf

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

IAC recently revised the following two handouts for healthcare professionals and their patients.

(1) IAC updated "Don't take chances with your family's health--make sure you all get vaccinated against influenza every year!" with new figures on the number of people who die from influenza and its complications each year. Go to: http://www.immunize.org/catg.d/p4069.pdf

(2) IAC made a minor change to "Seek emergency medical care if you or a family member shows the signs below--a life could be at risk!" Go to: http://www.immunize.org/catg.d/p4073.pdf

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

Looking for one-stop access to IAC's handouts for patients and staff? Look no further. IAC's Handouts web section features an online table that allows visitors to sort more than 250 handouts alphabetically by title, and also by language, issue date, and item number.

To access the View-All Handouts table, visit http://www.immunize.org/handouts/view-all.asp

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

CDC published "Announcements: Adult Vaccination Coverage Estimates Online" in the November 19 issue of MMWR. The announcement is reprinted below. Also included below are the key findings of the survey, which NCIRD posted on November 17.

To access the key findings and other information from the NHIS survey, go to: http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/stats-surv/nhis/2009-nhis.htm

IAC encourages IAC Express readers to watch "Hepatitis B Awareness Campaign," a 30-second public service announcement (PSA) for television. The Hepatitis B Foundation, together with the Department of Health and Human Service's Office of Minority Health and the Association of Asian Pacific Community Health Organizations, created the PSA to raise community awareness of hepatitis B and encourage Asian Americans to get tested for this preventable and treatable disease.

The PSA will be available on the home page of IAC's website through November 28. To access it, go to: http://www.immunize.org and click on the image under the words Video of the Week. After November 28, you can view the video on http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zckvA4IMHYY

Remember to bookmark IAC's home page to view a new video every Monday. To view an IAC Video of the Week from the past, go to the video archive at http://www.immunize.org/votw

The November issue of the journal Pediatrics includes a commentary titled "Helping Mothers Prevent Influenza Illness in Their Infants." It was written by Elizabeth P. Schlaudecker, MD, and Mark C. Steinhoff, MD; both are with Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center. The article's opening paragraph is reprinted below.

To access the full text of the article, go to: http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/cgi/reprint/126/5/1008

If you don't have influenza vaccine, you can direct patients to the Google Flu Vaccine Finder. It helps the public find nearby locations where influenza vaccine is available. It's as simple as entering a zip code. Visit the Google Flu Vaccine Finder: http://www.google.com/flushot

Following is a list of resources related to influenza disease and vaccination for healthcare professionals and the public.

• National Influenza Vaccine Summit website http://www.preventinfluenza.org
  
  * IAC's Influenza web section http://www.immunize.org/influenza
  
  * CDC's Flu web section http://www.cdc.gov/flu

To access IAC's handouts related to influenza, including screening questionnaires, patient education pieces, and sample standing orders, go to: http://www.immunize.org/handouts/influenza-vaccines.asp

This year's National Influenza Vaccination Week (NIVW) is scheduled for December 5-11. CDC would like to hear from you if your organization is planning an activity during National Influenza Vaccination Week--or beyond--to encourage influenza vaccination. To access the event submission form, go to: http://www.cdc.gov/flu/NIVW/form.htm

To see what others have planned for NIVW, go to: http://www.cdc.gov/flu/NIVW/activities.htm

The CDC's website was recently updated with these four pertinent resources:

(1) Calendar of NIVW Events
The CDC website was recently updated with the following calendar. Each day of NIVW is devoted to a specific population in need of vaccination:

• Sunday, December 5: The NIVW Kick-Off for General Public
• Monday, December 6: Family Vaccination Day
• Tuesday, December 7: Chronic Conditions Day
• Wednesday, December 8: Employee Health Day
• Thursday, December 9: Older Adults Vaccination Day
• Friday, December 10: Young Adults Vaccination Day
• Saturday, December 11: NIVW Wrap-Up for General Public

(2) A letter to partners from NCIRD Director Anne Schuchat, MD
In the letter, Dr. Schuchat presents details about the NIVW Calendar of Events outlined above and encourages partners to promote NIVW through local media outlets, use NCIRD's promotional tools to reach various audiences, and post their events on the NIVW web section.

To access Dr. Schuchat's letter, go to: http://www.cdc.gov/flu/pdf/nivw/2010NIVW_PartnerLetter.pdf

(3) Media Relations Tool Kit
CDC recently posted its Influenza Awareness Campaign Media Relations Tool Kit. It is intended to help CDC partners expand and enhance their abilities to educate their communities about the importance of influenza vaccination through media outreach. Designed as a resource for media novices and experts alike, the tool kit offers a variety of tools, proven resources, models, and templates to help CDC's partners reach out to local media. To access the tool kit, go to: http://www.cdc.gov/flu/pdf/nivw/NIVW_Media_Toolkit_Final_1110.pdf

(4) CDC Influenza Public Service Announcements (PSAs)
CDC has created a media library to help interested professionals find, preview, and download broadcast-standard video. The resources are available free of charge for reproduction, and free or paid television placement. One of the five PSAs posted is in Spanish; 15-, 30-, and 60-second PSAs are available. To access the influenza PSAs, go to: http://www.cdcmediaresources.com

For more information and resources related to NIVW, go to the NIVS home page at http://www.cdc.gov/flu/NIVW

IAC Express will keep you informed about developments in the NIVW campaign as they unfold in the weeks ahead.

The California Department of Public Health (CDPH), Immunization Branch, recently updated its award-winning training video, "Immunization Techniques: Best Practices with Infants, Children, and Adults." The 25-minute program can be used to train new employees and to refresh the skills of experienced staff. The video demonstrates the skills and techniques needed to administer vaccines to patients of all ages. It includes instruction on the following:

• Selecting, preparing, and administering injectable, oral, and nasal vaccines
• Documenting immunizations
• Making patients comfortable and educating them
• Facilitating staff and patient communication

Prices start at $17 each for 1-9 copies and are greatly reduced for large orders, dropping to $4.25 each for 1,000-1,500 copies.

To learn more about the DVD, and find out how to order it, go to: http://www.immunize.org/shop/toolkit_iztechdvd.asp

For quotes on larger quantities, call (651) 647-9009 or email admininfo@immunize.org

The Immunization Action Coalition is the only nationwide vendor of this new DVD.

Note for healthcare settings located in California: Contact your local health department immunization program for a free copy.

CDC recently posted two documents for healthcare professionals on using influenza antiviral medications during the 2010-11 influenza season. They are "Interim Guidance on the Use of Influenza Antiviral Agents During the 2010-2011 Influenza Season" and "Summary Influenza Antiviral Treatment Recommendations for 2010-2011." Both have been submitted to the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR) and will appear in that publication at a later date. In the interest of providing this guidance to healthcare providers as quickly as possible, it is being posted online in the interim.

To access "Interim Guidance on the Use of Influenza Antiviral Agents During the 2010-2011 Influenza Season," go to: http://www.cdc.gov/flu/professionals/antivirals/guidance

To access "Summary Influenza Antiviral Treatment Recommendations for 2010-2011" go to: http://www.cdc.gov/flu/professionals/antivirals/antiviralrec2010.htm

To aid in efforts to vaccinate against influenza, the Immunization Action Coalition is inviting IAC Express readers to place orders now for bulk quantities of the National Influenza Vaccine Summit's 2010-11 Seasonal Influenza Vaccination Pocket Information Guides. They're free--you can order them in the hundreds or thousands!

These laminated, 3.75 x 6.75-inch, 2-color cards serve as a convenient reference for front-line healthcare professionals who vaccinate patients. The cards provide the following information:

• Indications, contraindications, and precautions for the injectable and intranasal seasonal influenza vaccines
• Clear direction regarding which children need 2 doses of influenza vaccine this year
• Dosage, route of administration, and indicated age group for all the various seasonal influenza vaccine products
• Talking points for discussing seasonal influenza vaccination with patients

See an image of the seasonal influenza vaccine pocket guide at http://www.preventinfluenza.org/fluguide/pocketguide_flu.pdf

These pocket guides also serve as a reminder to keep giving seasonal influenza vaccine throughout influenza season (through the spring months).

The Summit is also pleased to be able to offer pocket guides for the administration of pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine (PPSV). See an image of the PPSV pocket guide at http://www.immunize.org/ppvguide/pocketguide.pdf

Each of these pocket guides is designed to be used by healthcare professionals only; THEY ARE NOT PATIENT HANDOUTS.

HOW TO ORDER
Place your order at http://www.preventinfluenza.org/pocketguides There is no cost for the pocket guides, shipping, or handling within the U.S. They're going fast, so to avoid disappointment, place your order ASAP!

If you have questions, email admininfo@immunize.org

BACKGROUND
For background information on the pocket guides, see http://www.immunize.org/express/issue898.asp#n10

Thanks for your dedication to immunization, and don't forget to keep vaccinating against seasonal influenza through the spring months!

CDC published "Syringe Exchange Programs--United States, 2008" in the November 19 issue of MMWR. A summary made available to the press is reprinted below.

To access the full article in web-text (HTML) format, go to: http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm5945a4.htm

CDC published "Occupational Transmission of Neisseria meningitides--California, 2009" in the November 19 issue of MMWR. The first paragraph of the article and portions of the Editorial Note are reprinted below.

To access the full article in web-text (HTML) format, go to: http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm5945a2.htm

You can advance your knowledge of vaccine handling and storage by viewing the 1.5-hour webinar "Protecting your Vaccine: Protecting your Patients." The presenters are Patricia Beckenhaupt, RN, MS, MPH, public health analyst, National Center for Immunization & Respiratory Diseases, CDC; and Debra S. Blog, MD, MPH, director, Bureau of Immunization, New York State Department of Health.

Continuing Education (CE) credit is available for viewing the module and completing an evaluation.

Originally broadcast on August 26, the webinar is sponsored by the School of Public Health, State University of New York, Albany. To view it, go to: http://www.albany.edu/sph/coned/phl/protect.htm

The "CDC Features" web section now includes information for the public on the excellent safety record of influenza vaccines.

To access "Flu Vaccines Have Good Safety Records," go to: http://www.cdc.gov/Features/FluVaccines

CDC recently announced the addition of the 2010 influenza module to NCIRD's web-based training course "You Call the Shots." This module discusses influenza disease, the groups at highest risk, the groups for whom routine immunization is recommended, and characteristics of influenza vaccine.

Continuing Education (CE) credit is available for viewing the module and completing an evaluation.

To access the influenza module, and to see the other modules available, go to: http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/ed/youcalltheshots.htm and click on the pertinent link.

"Malaria Eradication: Back to the Future" was webcast live on November 18; the archived webcast has been posted, and continuing education (CE) credit is available.

The webcast is part of CDC's monthly series Public Health Grand rounds. To access the webinar, go to: http://www2a.cdc.gov/TCEOnline