IAC Express 2011

Issue number 963: November 21, 2011

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Contents of this Issue
Select a title to jump to the article.
  1. Reminder: New issues of Needle Tips and Vaccinate Adults available online
  2. Immunization Action Coalition's executive director receives national recognition from Every Child By Two
  3. American Academy of Family Physicians and National Business Group on Health each endorse mandatory influenza vaccination of healthcare personnel; 25 more organizations join IAC's Honor Roll for Patient Safety
  4. IAC renames its new declination form for parents who refuse to vaccinate their children and updates "It's Federal Law!"
  5. Spotlight on immunize.org: IAC's standing orders for vaccination
  6. IAC's Video of the Week urges viewers to give a child a shot at life by supporting immunization
  7. "Declination of Influenza Vaccination" now available in Spanish
  8. Influenza vaccination is recommended for almost everyone, so please keep vaccinating!
  9. Online update spreads the word about activities HHS and CDC partners plan for National Influenza Vaccination Week
  10. Sign up to start receiving "Fighting Influenza," an e-newsletter from Families Fighting Flu
  11. WHO issues updated position paper on meningococcal vaccines
  12. Maryland's free online rabies postexposure prophylaxis course offers free CE credit
  13. Bulk quantities of the 2011-12 Influenza Vaccine Pocket Guides and PPSV Pocket Guides available--FREE!--from the National Influenza Vaccine Summit
  14. Award-winning DVD! "Immunization Techniques: Best Practices with Infants, Children, and Adults"--from the California Department of Public Health, Immunization Branch
 
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 963: November 21, 2011
1.  Reminder: New issues of Needle Tips and Vaccinate Adults available online

The November issues of Needle Tips and Vaccinate Adults are available online for viewing, downloading, and printing. The content of Vaccinate Adults is identical to that of Needle Tips, minus the pediatric content.

To download the entire issue (PDF) of Needle Tips, go to: http://www.immunize.org/nslt.d/n50/n50.pdf

To download the entire issue (PDF) of Vaccinate Adults, go to: http://www.immunize.org/va/va33.pdf

To access the November Needle Tips table of contents and magazine-viewer option, as well as back issues, go to: http://www.immunize.org/nt

To access the November Vaccinate Adults table of contents and magazine-viewer option, as well as back issues, go to: http://www.immunize.org/va
 
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2 Immunization Action Coalition's executive director receives national recognition from Every Child By Two

On October 11, Every Child By Two (ECBT) held its 20th Anniversary Gala, at which it presented three awards for achievement, leadership, and overall excellence in the field of immunization. The Immunization Action Coalition is proud to announce that its executive director, Deborah Wexler, MD, received ECBT's Immunization Leadership Award.

The purpose of this award is to honor an individual who exhibits consistent leadership at the national level with a demonstrated positive impact on the field of immunization. Dr. Wexler was recognized for her work as the founder and executive director of IAC, a nonprofit organization she started in 1991. Under Dr. Wexler's leadership, IAC has grown to be one of the nation's premier sources of immunization information for healthcare providers and their patients.

Edgar Marcuse, MD, MPH, a pediatrician and vaccine advocate, and Debbie McCune Davis, an Arizona state senator and program director of The Arizona Partnership for Immunization, were also honored.

Founded by former First Lady Rosalynn Carter and former First Lady of Arkansas Betty Bumpers, ECBT is dedicated to protecting all children from vaccine-preventable diseases.

To read a press release related to Dr. Wexler's award, go to: http://www.immunize.org/press/wexler_ecbt_award.pdf

To read more about the 20th Anniversary Gala, go to the ECBT blog at http://shotofprevention.com/2011/10/20/celebrating-20-years-of-saving-lives-through-immunization

To find out more about ECBT, go to: http://www.ecbt.org
 
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3 American Academy of Family Physicians and National Business Group on Health each endorse mandatory influenza vaccination of healthcare personnel; 25 more organizations join IAC's Honor Roll for Patient Safety

IAC encourages qualifying healthcare organizations to apply for its Honor Roll for Patient Safety. The honor roll recognizes hospitals, medical practices, professional organizations, and government entities that have taken a stand for patient safety by implementing mandatory influenza vaccination policies for healthcare workers.

More than 125 organizations are now enrolled.

Since October 3, when IAC Express last reported on the Honor Roll for Patient Safety, many new entries have been made:

(1) In June, the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) published a statement in support of mandatory annual influenza vaccination of healthcare personnel. In October, the National Business Group on Health (NBGH) issued a position statement supporting mandatory annual influenza vaccination of hospital personnel. AAFP and NBGH join the following 11 professional associations included on IAC's Honor Roll for Patient Safety for developing position statements that endorse influenza vaccination mandates for healthcare workers:

American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP); American College of Physicians (ACP); American Hospital Association (AHA); American Medical Directors Association (AMDA); American Pharmacists Association (APhA); American Public Health Association (APHA); Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC); Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA); National Foundation for Infectious Diseases (NFID); National Patient Safety Foundation (NPSF); and Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America (SHEA).

To read the AAFP statement, go here.

To read the NBGH position statement, go to: http://ow.ly/71mNM

To access all position or policy statements, go to: http://www.immunize.org/honor-roll

(2) The following 21 institutions and four medical practices have also been enrolled.

Institutions: Carson City Hospital, Carson City, MI; Catholic Healthcare System, Springfield, IL; Children's Hospital Boston, MA; (The) Children's Medical Center of Dayton, OH; Connecticut Children's Medical Center, Hartford, CT; Crozer Chester Medical Center, Upland, PA; Delaware County Memorial Hospital, Drexel Hill, PA; Denver Health, Denver, CO; Grand View Hospital, Sellersville, PA; Greenville Hospital System University Medical Center, Greenville, SC; Henry Ford Health System, Detroit, MI; Indiana University Health Arnett, Lafayette, IN; Mary Greeley Medical Center, Ames, IA; Mason District Hospital, Havana, IL; Michigan State University/Kalamazoo Center for Medical Studies (MSU/KCMS), Kalamazoo, MI; Mission Health, Asheville, NC; Olmsted Medical Center, Rochester, MN; Sacred Heart Medical Center, Springfield, OR; Shepherd Center, Atlanta, GA; Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, Philadelphia, PA; Wake Forest Baptist Health/Lexington Medical Center, Lexington, NC

Medical practices: Beaver Health Mart Pharmacy, Beaver, PA; Canyon Physicians, Phoenix, AZ; Pediatric & Adult Medicine, Tustin, CA; Cope Family Medicine, Bountiful, UT

To view a list of the enrolled organizations and to find specific information on their mandates, go to: http://www.immunize.org/honor-roll/influenza-mandates.asp

To be included in the honor roll, an organization's mandate must require influenza vaccination for employees and must include serious measures to prevent transmission of influenza from unvaccinated workers to patients. Such measures might include a mask requirement, reassignment to non-patient-care duties, or dismissal of the employee. To submit your organization's application for the honor roll, go to: http://www.immunize.org/laws/mandates.aspx

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4 IAC renames its new declination form for parents who refuse to vaccinate their children and updates "It's Federal Law!"

IAC recently revised the following two handouts.

(1) IAC changed the name of a newly developed form from "Refusal of Vaccination for My Child" to "Decision to Not Vaccinate My Child." Intended to be reviewed and signed by the parent, the form includes information about how an unvaccinated child might get seriously ill or could spread disease to another person. A second page includes background information and reference material for healthcare professionals. Go to: http://www.immunize.org/catg.d/p4059.pdf

(2) IAC updated "It's federal law! You must give your patients current Vaccine Information Statements (VISs)" to include all new and revised VISs released through November 8, 2011. Go to: http://www.immunize.org/catg.d/p2027.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
 
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5 Spotlight on immunize.org: IAC's standing orders for vaccination

Using standing orders (pre-approved signed protocols) for administering vaccines allows eligible nurses and other healthcare professionals to administer vaccines to children, adolescents, and adults where permitted under state law. If you're looking for quick access to standing orders protocols for vaccination, look no further. IAC's Standing Orders web section provides links to sets of standing orders for administering routinely recommended vaccines to children and adults.

To access links to all IAC's standing orders protocols for vaccine administration, as well as guidance for newborn-nursery hepatitis B vaccination, visit: http://www.immunize.org/standing-orders

IAC's Handouts for Patients and Staff web section offers healthcare professionals and the public more than 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
 
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6 IAC's Video of the Week urges viewers to give a child a shot at life by supporting immunization

IAC encourages IAC Express readers to watch a 1.5-minute video from the United Nations Foundation that promotes a fundraising effort to protect children worldwide by providing life-saving vaccines where they are most needed.

The video will be available on the home page of IAC's website through November 27. To access it, go to: http://www.immunize.org and click on the image under the words Video of the Week.

Remember to bookmark IAC's home page to view a new video every Monday.

To access the archives of IAC's Videos of the Week, go to: http://www.immunize.org/votw
 
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7 "Declination of Influenza Vaccination" now available in Spanish

Updated in October, IAC's healthcare professional handout "Declination of Influenza Vaccination" is now available in Spanish at http://www.immunize.org/catg.d/p4068-01.pdf.

For English: http://www.immunize.org/catg.d/p4068.pdf
 
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8 Influenza vaccination is recommended for almost everyone, so please keep vaccinating!

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

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

Don't forget that National Influenza Vaccination Week (NIVW) is scheduled for December 4-10. CDC's NIVW web section includes resources to help organizations inform others about the importance of administering and receiving influenza vaccine throughout the influenza season. To access them, go to: http://www.cdc.gov/flu/nivw

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9 Online update spreads the word about activities HHS and CDC partners plan for National Influenza Vaccination Week

On November 10, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and CDC published "National Influenza Vaccination Week 2011: Update from HHS and CDC." It provides information on various plans the two federal agencies have developed to reach out to the public during National Influenza Vaccination Week (NIVW). With the help of partner organizations, the two agencies will use traditional, digital, and social media to engage the public, and will also host public events such as kick-off meetings and influenza vaccination clinics.

To access the update from HHS and CDC, go to: http://www.cdc.gov/flu/pdf/nivw/nivw-partner-update-11-10-11.pdf
 
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10.  Sign up to start receiving "Fighting Influenza," an e-newsletter from Families Fighting Flu

"Fighting Influenza" brings you the official news from Families Fighting Flu (FFF). Distributed periodically throughout the influenza season, "Fighting Influenza" includes updates on various influenza campaigns and influenza news.

To subscribe, go to: http://www.familiesfightingflu.org/newsletter

A nonprofit, volunteer-based advocacy organization, FFF is dedicated to protecting the lives of children. Members include families whose children have suffered serious medical complications or died from influenza, as well as healthcare practitioners and advocates committed to influenza prevention. To find out more, go to: http://www.familiesfightingflu.org
 
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11.  WHO issues updated position paper on meningococcal vaccines

The November 18 issue of the WHO periodical "Weekly Epidemiological Record" includes the latest WHO position paper on meningococcal vaccines. To access it, go to: http://www.who.int/wer/2011/wer8647.pdf

A collection of WHO position papers on vaccines is available in alphabetical order at http://www.who.int/immunization/documents/positionpapers

They are available in chronological order on the IAC website at http://www.immunize.org/who
 
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12.  Maryland's free online rabies postexposure prophylaxis course offers free CE credit

CDC published "Announcements: Rabies Postexposure Prophylaxis Online Course" in the November 18 issue of MMWR. The announcement is reprinted below.


Rabies Postexposure Prophylaxis (PEP) Basics: Case Illustrations of the 2010 Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) Guidelines is a free online course developed by the Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DHMH) in collaboration with CDC. It is designed to educate healthcare and public health professionals about rabies, the approach used in assessing rabies virus exposure, and administration of rabies PEP based on ACIP recommendations. Continuing Education credits are available to any physician, nurse, pharmacist, or veterinarian who takes the training. The course can be accessed at the Maryland DHMH website at http://ideha.dhmh.maryland.gov/training/rabies/default.aspx


To access the article, go to: http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm6045a5.htm
 
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13.  Bulk quantities of the 2011-12 Influenza Vaccine Pocket Guides and PPSV Pocket Guides available--FREE!--from the National Influenza Vaccine Summit

To aid in efforts to vaccinate against influenza and pneumococcal disease, readers are invited to place orders now for bulk quantities of the National Influenza Vaccine Summit's 2011-12 Influenza Vaccine Pocket Information Guide and Pneumococcal Polysaccharide Vaccination (PPSV) Pocket Guide. Both are 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. Place a bulk order now, and your organization will be ready to educate healthcare professionals at upcoming immunization training sessions and conferences. Each staff person who administers influenza or PPSV vaccine needs these handy resources.

See an image of the influenza vaccine pocket guide at http://www.immunize.org/pocketguides/pocketguide_flu.pdf

See an image of the PPSV pocket guide at http://www.immunize.org/pocketguides/pocketguide_ppsv.pdf

The 2011-12 influenza pocket guide and PPSV pocket guide are 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.

If you have questions, email admininfo@immunize.org
 
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14.  Award-winning DVD! "Immunization Techniques: Best Practices with Infants, Children, and Adults"--from the California Department of Public Health, Immunization Branch

In 2010, the California Department of Public Health (CDPH), Immunization Branch, 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.

Prices start at $17 each for 1-9 copies and are greatly reduced for large orders, dropping to $3 each for 1,000-1,499 copies.

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

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

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

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