Issue Number 254            June 21, 2001

CONTENTS OF THIS ISSUE

  1. Revised! Screening Questionnaire for Adult Immunization
  2. New! The fourth volume of "Unprotected People" stories is now available from IAC
  3. August is National Immunization Awareness Month
  4. Nominations for NPI's National Recognition Program due July 2
  5. Reminder! 2001 Immunization Registry Conference is July 9-11 in Little Rock
  6. CDC publishes article on exposure to meningococcal disease on aircrafts
  7. CDC publishes report on polio eradication in West and Central Africa

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(1)
June 21, 2001
REVISED! SCREENING QUESTIONNAIRE FOR ADULT IMMUNIZATION

The Immunization Action Coalition (IAC) has updated its popular "Screening Questionnaire for Adult Immunization." This one-page questionnaire for patients provides a screening tool for contraindications and precautions to vaccine administration. This newest version dated June 2001 includes the additional question "Have you received any vaccinations in the past 4 weeks?"

To obtain a copy of the screening questionnaire and its companion guide, "Understanding the Screening Questionnaire for Adult Immunization," go to: http://www.immunize.org/catg.d/p4065scr.htm
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(2)
June 21, 2001
NEW! THE FOURTH VOLUME OF "UNPROTECTED PEOPLE" STORIES IS NOW AVAILABLE FROM IAC

Visit IAC's website to obtain the latest collection of "Unprotected People: Stories of People Who Died or Suffered from Vaccine-Preventable Diseases." Volume 4 of the series comprises the ten latest personal stories and case reports published in IAC EXPRESS.

To obtain the newest stories, "Unprotected People," volume 4 (stories #31-40), go to: http://www.immunize.org/catg.d/T2014.htm

To obtain volume 1 (stories #1-10), go to:
http://www.immunize.org/catg.d/T2011.htm

To obtain volume 2 (stories #11-20), go to:
http://www.immunize.org/catg.d/T2012.htm

To obtain volume 3 (stories #21-30), go to:
http://www.immunize.org/catg.d/T2013.htm
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(3)
June 21, 2001
AUGUST IS NATIONAL IMMUNIZATION AWARENESS MONTH

The National Partnership for Immunization (NPI) has designated August as National Immunization Awareness Month (NIAM). Each year, this commemorative month will increase awareness about the importance of immunization for people of all ages. This year's theme, "Are You Up to Date? Vaccinate!" will help focus public awareness on immunization as the new school year approaches and as preparations begin for the upcoming flu season. NIAM will be officially announced to the media and immunization community with a kickoff event at the National Press Club on August 1, 2001, in Washington, DC. For more information on NIAM, visit the NPI Web site: http://www.partnersforimmunization.org/what_2.html

NPI is developing a NIAM Promotional Kit that will include recommendations, immunization information, and suggested activities for involving parents/caregivers, public health professionals, employers, and health care providers in efforts to raise immunization rates throughout the United States.

To receive a copy of the NIAM Promotional Kit, or for more information about any NIAM activities, please contact Dena Wichansky at (703) 836-6110 or dwichans@hmhb.org
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(4)
June 21, 2001
NOMINATIONS FOR NPI'S NATIONAL RECOGNITION PROGRAM DUE JULY 2

Do you know a person or organization that deserves to be recognized for exceptional work in the field of immunization? During National Immunization Awareness Month, NPI will debut its National Recognition Program. This annual program will highlight innovation in immunization services and recognize individuals and groups for promoting the importance of immunization across the lifespan. Award winners will be honored at a luncheon on August 1, 2001, following the NIAM kickoff event.

National Recognition Program awards categories include the following:

  • Coalition/Partnership Award: For the cooperative efforts of individuals or organizations that have helped to improve access to or increase knowledge or rates of immunizations.
       
  • Addressing Disparities Award: For the implementation of programs or strategies that have helped to improve the rates of immunization among hard-to-reach or underserved populations.
      
  • Immunization Policy Award: For work by an individual that contributes to the formulation of policy to improve immunization access, acceptance, or programs in the community or within a constituency.
       
  • Non-Traditional Partner Award: For the initiation of an immunization program or campaign by a non-traditional partner such as an employer, the food industry, a religious organization, a virtual program, etc., to improve upon the acceptance and use of immunization.

Awards criteria and nomination applications can be found online at http://www.partnersforimmunization.org/pdf/nrpform.pdf

The application deadline is July 2. Because of the extremely tight deadline, if you are interested in nominating an individual or an organization for any of these awards and cannot complete the forms by July 2, please contact Maureen Alt at (301) 656-0003 ext. 16 or email her at malt@nfid.org
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(5)
June 21, 2001
REMINDER! 2001 IMMUNIZATION REGISTRY CONFERENCE IS JULY 9-11 IN LITTLE ROCK

The 2001 Immunization Registry Conference is scheduled for July 9-11 in Little Rock, Ark. Sponsored by CDC's National Immunization Program (NIP), this conference brings together government and private-sector health care professionals to exchange information, share ideas on building support for immunization registries, and more.

For registration materials and further information, visit the conference website at: http://www.cdc.gov/nip/registry/irc2001.htm or contact Cathy Stout of NIP by email at cstout@cdc.gov or by telephone at (404) 639-8816.

For a detailed list of additional upcoming immunization and hepatitis conferences and events, visit IAC's "Calendar of Events" at: http://www.immunize.org/calendar/
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(6)
June 21, 2001
CDC PUBLISHES ARTICLE ON EXPOSURE TO MENINGOCOCCAL DISEASE ON AIRCRAFTS

CDC published an article titled "Exposure to Patients with Meningococcal Disease on Aircrafts--United States, 1999-2000" in the June 15, 2001, issue of Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR). The report looks at cases of meningococcal disease associated with air travel and presents guidelines to  try to limit the spread of disease among people potentially exposed to meningococcus during air travel. Specifically, CDC recommends that federal health authorities work with the airlines to identify passengers needing chemoprophylaxis and that appropriate CDC quarantine stations receive a assenger manifest from the airline so they can follow up with any passengers who may have been exposed to meningococcus during air travel.

To read the complete text of this article online, go to: http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr//preview/mmwrhtml/mm5023a2.htm
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(7)
June 21, 2001
CDC PUBLISHES REPORT ON POLIO ERADICATION IN WEST AND  CENTRAL AFRICA

CDC published an article titled "Progress Toward Poliomyelitis Eradication--West and Central Africa, 1999-2000," in the June 15, 2001, issue of MMWR. According to the report, substantial progress toward eradication occurred during this period. Synchronized National Immunization Days (NIDs) in West and Central Africa during 2000 and early 2001 is expected to reduce and eventually eliminate wild poliovirus transmission. The article's Editorial Note points out that "Three of the participating countries experienced civil unrest or war at the time of the NIDs. However, all three implemented NIDs and conducted cross-border activities, demonstrating that polio eradication activities can be implemented in countries in conflict and can promote peace building. Rival factions agreed to respect cease-fires so that children could be vaccinated."

To view the complete text of this article online, go to: http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm5023a1.htm

HOW TO OBTAIN A FREE ELECTRONIC SUBSCRIPTION TO THE MMWR: To obtain a free electronic subscription to MMWR, visit CDC's MMWR website at: http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr Select "Free MMWR Subscription" from the menu at the left of the screen. Once you have submitted the required information, weekly issues of the MMWR and all new ACIP statements (published as MMWR's "Recommendations and Reports") will arrive automatically by e-mail.  

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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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