IAC Express 2010

IAC's newest handout, "Vaccines with Diluents: How to Use Them," contains a chart that lists the vaccines that require reconstitution with a diluent before they can be administered. It includes information about each diluent and the maximum time allowed between reconstituting each vaccine and having to discard it. The handout also lists the general steps to follow when reconstituting vaccines.

Go to: http://www.immunize.org/catg.d/p3040.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

The American Academy of Pediatrics has updated the fact sheet "Vaccine studies: Examine the evidence" to include additional studies on vaccine safety, particularly as it relates to autism. The fact sheet lists and provides links to more than 40 studies published in peer-reviewed medical journals between 1998 and 2010. Its purpose is to allow parents and those who administer or recommend vaccines to read the scientific evidence for themselves. None of the studies found a link between MMR vaccine, thimerosal, and autism.

To access the fact sheet, go to: http://www.aap.org/immunization/families/faq/VaccineStudies.pdf

IAC recently added two warning signs to help healthcare settings safeguard the temperature of their vaccine supply. One is intended for use at the electrical outlet where the refrigerator and freezer units plug into the wall; the other belongs at the healthcare facility's circuit breaker or electrical panel.

(1) IAC replaced its "Do not unplug!" warning sign with an English/Spanish version developed by the Indiana State Department of Health. It is intended to be used next to the electrical outlet where the refrigerator and freezer units plug into the wall. Go to: http://www.immunize.org/catg.d/p2090.pdf

(2) Adapted with permission from the Indiana State Department of Health, the boldly colored "Do not stop power to circuit breaker" sign is intended for use next to or on the door of circuit breakers and electrical panels. It reminds employees in healthcare settings that vaccine refrigerators and freezers often contain many expensive vaccines that can be ruined if the electrical power is disconnected. The message is printed in English and Spanish. Go to: http://www.immunize.org/catg.d/p2091.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 just-released handouts for staff and patients and new VISs and their translations from IAC? Look no further. The "What's New at IAC" web section offers visitors a chronological list of new and revised materials.

To access "What's New at IAC," visit http://www.immunize.org/new

To help users find selected materials of interest, the entries in "What's New at IAC" are also organized into three subcategories:

• New and revised IAC handouts for patients and staff, http://www.immunize.org/new/printmaterials.asp
   
• New and revised additions to various web sections on immunize.org, http://www.immunize.org/new/websections.asp
   
• New and updated VISs and their translations, http://www.immunize.org/new/vis.asp

IAC encourages IAC Express readers to watch a 5-minute video from Medscape. In this video, Daniel B. Jernigan, MD, MPH, of CDC's National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, outlines the value of immunizing everyone age 6 months and older against influenza. Registration is required to access this feature on Medscape. There is no charge to register.

The video will be available on the home page of IAC's website through December 5. To access it, go to: http://www.immunize.org and click on the image under the words Video of the Week. To view the video after December 5, go to: http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/731785

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

Influenza vaccination is now recommended for everyone age 6 months and older, so please keep vaccinating your patients.

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 website was recently updated with these resources for specific populations in need of vaccination:

(1) Daily materials: These are resources that healthcare professionals can use to promote influenza vaccination to the specific population targeted for each day of NIVW (e.g., Monday is Family Vaccination Day, Wednesday is Chronic Conditions Day, etc.). The resources include print materials, a tool kit, and a contest that encourages young adults to submit a poster or video public service announcement that promotes influenza vaccination.

Be sure to check the daily materials section often between now and NIVW to access the latest resources posted to promote daily events. Go to: http://www.cdc.gov/flu/NIVW/daily_materials.htm

(2) Matte articles: CDC has posted a range of ready-to-use articles--termed matte articles--that can be placed in local newspapers, magazines, and other publications to promote influenza vaccination. They are organized by target audience.

Matte articles are added frequently; be sure to check back often. Go to: http://www.cdc.gov/flu/NIVW/matte_articles.htm

To access the NIVW home page, go to: http://www.cdc.gov/flu/NIVW

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

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.

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!

PKIDs (Parents of Kids with Infectious Diseases) has scheduled a webinar for December 14. Titled "Communication Made Easy--Social Marketing Case Study: Protect Tomorrow," the webinar will focus on a case study of the American Academy of Pediatrics' "Protect Tomorrow" public service campaign. Presenter Gina Steiner, AAP's director of public information, will discuss the campaign's development, execution, messaging, production, web presence, traditional and social media outreach, and Ad Council endorsement.

It is scheduled for December 14 at 9AM Pacific time/noon Eastern time. For more information, or to pre-register, go to: https://cc.readytalk.com/r/dlwcjd2kny0

PKIDs has scheduled several webinars for November, December, and January. These include some on using social media in health communications and in nonprofit communications. Simple registration (free) is all that's required to learn more about the webinars, register for them, and access archived webinars. To register or find out more, go to http://network.pkids.org or http://www.pkids.org/cme