Issue Number 450            March 15, 2004

CONTENTS OF THIS ISSUE

  1. Authors retract vaccine-autism link put forward in an article published in 1998 in "The Lancet"
  2. April 5 is the registration deadline for CDC's Netconference "Current Issues in Immunization"
  3. Free: Bulk copies of the latest issue of "VACCINATE WOMEN" (September 2003) are available--place your order now
  4. 2004 edition of "ImmunoFacts" available for order
  5. Somali-language immunization video available free of charge
  6. VIS translations: Live intranasal influenza vaccine VIS available in Bosnian, Russian, and Somali

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ABBREVIATIONS: AAFP, American Academy of Family Physicians; AAP, American Academy of Pediatrics; ACIP, Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices; CDC, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; FDA, Food and Drug Administration; IAC, Immunization Action Coalition; MMWR, Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report; NIP, National Immunization Program; VIS, Vaccine Information Statement; VPD, vaccine-preventable disease; WHO, World Health Organization.
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March 15, 2004
AUTHORS RETRACT VACCINE-AUTISM LINK PUT FORWARD IN AN ARTICLE PUBLISHED IN 1998 IN "THE LANCET"

The March 6 issue of the British medical journal "The Lancet" carried a retraction by 10 of 13 authors of a controversial article published in 1998. The lead author of the 1998 article, Andrew J. Wakefield, MD, and one other author were not part of the retraction. "The Lancet" was unable to locate the other author.

You must register (no charge) to access the retraction, "Retraction of an interpretation." To register, go to "The Lancet" website at http://www.thelancet.com/registration

After registering, click on Search Journal in the left column. Type "Retraction of an interpretation" in the Search for Text box. Scroll down to the entry with the retraction title, and click for the text or PDF version of the retraction.
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March 15, 2004
APRIL 5 IS THE REGISTRATION DEADLINE FOR CDC'S NETCONFERENCE "CURRENT ISSUES IN IMMUNIZATION"

Scheduled for April 8, from noon to 1 pm ET, the Netconference "Current Issues in Immunization" is designed to provide clinicians with up-to-date information on immunization. In keeping with the theme of Current Issues, topics will be determined approximately three weeks before the conference. Previous topics have included influenza and vaccine storage and handling.

The conference requires pre-registration, as space is limited. Registration will close when the course is full or on April 5 (midnight eastern time).

To register for the conference, go to:
http://www2a.cdc.gov/nip/isd/ciinc/default.asp

For additional information, go to: http://www.cdc.gov/nip/ed/ciinc/default.htm or call (404) 639-8225.
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March 15, 2004
FREE: BULK COPIES OF THE LATEST ISSUE OF "VACCINATE WOMEN" (SEPTEMBER 2003) ARE AVAILABLE--PLACE YOUR ORDER NOW

The Immunization Action Coalition (IAC) is giving away bulk copies (up to 100 per request) of the September 2003 issue of "VACCINATE WOMEN."

If you have an immunization conference or an educational program coming up for physicians, residents, or nurses who specialize in obstetrics/gynecology, this 12-page publication is an excellent item to distribute. The September issue includes questions and answers about vaccinating pregnant women, a review of adult vaccine administration techniques, and a compelling article on prevention of perinatal hepatitis B infection.

Because supplies are limited, it's best to make your request right away. The free copies go quickly. Sorry, we can mail orders only to addresses within the United States.

To request copies, fill out the online order form on IAC's website:
http://www.immunize.org/freeoffer

You will be asked to supply the following information:

  • The number of copies you want (maximum 100)
  • A description of how you plan to use the copies
  • Your name and complete contact information, including mailing address, telephone number, and email address

For further information, please contact Robin VanOss by email at robin@immunize.org
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March 15, 2004
2004 EDITION OF "IMMUNOFACTS" AVAILABLE FOR ORDER

The 2004 edition of "ImmunoFacts: Vaccines & Immunologic Drugs" by Col. John D. Grabenstein, RPh, PhD, is available from the publisher, Facts & Comparisons. A comprehensive review of vaccines and immunologic drugs, this reference book is intended for physicians, pharmacists, nurses, students, hospitals, public health programs, pharmacies, and institutions that handle frequent and diverse immunologics.

It has information on the immunologic and pharmacologic characteristics of various agents, including their uses, contraindications, and dosing considerations for adults and children. It also has a quick reference to identify vaccination needs for patients traveling internationally.

The 1,250-page book is available from the publisher for $73.95. To order online, go to:
http://www.factsandcomparisons.com/ProdPage.asp?ID=129

For additional information, call (800) 223-0554.

To access the publisher's "ImmunoFacts" web page, go to:
http://www.immunofacts.com
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March 15, 2004
SOMALI-LANGUAGE IMMUNIZATION VIDEO AVAILABLE FREE OF CHARGE

Children's Hospitals and Clinics, St. Paul, MN, and the Minnesota Department of Health have created a 16-minute video to help Somali families understand the benefits and risks of immunization. Titled "Tallaalku Muxuutarraa?" (What are the Benefits of Immunization?), the video answers parents' questions about why immunizations are important, who should receive them, and when they should be given. The video comes with an English-language booklet that gives an overview of the information covered in the video.

To order one free copy, email immunizations@childrenshc.org or fax Children's Hospitals and Clinics, Pediatric Infectious Disease Department, attn: Mary at (651) 220-7233 or call (651) 220-6444. Additional copies are available for $10.
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March 15, 2004
VIS TRANSLATIONS: LIVE INTRANASAL INFLUENZA VACCINE VIS AVAILABLE IN BOSNIAN, RUSSIAN, AND SOMALI

Dated 9/4/03, the current version of the live intranasal influenza vaccine (LAIV) VIS is now available on the IAC website in Bosnian, Russian, and Somali. IAC gratefully acknowledges the Minnesota Department of Health for the translations.

To obtain a ready-to-copy (PDF) version of the LAIV VIS in Bosnian, go to: http://www.immunize.org/vis/bo_LAIV03.pdf

To obtain it in Russian, go to:
http://www.immunize.org/vis/ru_LAIV03.pdf

To obtain it in Somali, go to:
http://www.immunize.org/vis/so_LAIV03.pdf

To obtain it in English, go to:
http://www.immunize.org/vis/liveflu03.pdf

For information about the use of VISs, and for VISs in a total of 31 languages, visit IAC's VIS web section at http://www.immunize.org/vis

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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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