Issue
Number 526
May 23, 2005
CONTENTS OF THIS ISSUE
- New: May 2005 issue of "Needle Tips" provides lots of
resources on childhood, adolescent, and adult immunization
- Visit IAC's redesigned hepatitis prevention programs
website for Hepatitis Awareness Month
- New: DVD format of "Immunization Techniques: Safe,
Effective, Caring" is now available
- CDC issues press release about factors possibly
associated with autism risk
- New: May 20 issue of IAC's Hep Express electronic
newsletter now available online
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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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May 23, 2005
NEW: MAY 2005 ISSUE OF "NEEDLE TIPS" PROVIDES LOTS OF RESOURCES ON
CHILDHOOD, ADOLESCENT, AND ADULT IMMUNIZATION
IAC recently mailed the latest issue of "Needle Tips" (May 2005) to 130,000
health professionals and others who work in the field of immunization.
Packed with immunization resources for health professionals, patients, and
parents, the 24-page issue is well worth downloading. All articles and
education pieces, except editorials, have been thoroughly reviewed by
immunization and hepatitis experts at CDC.
HOW TO READ "NEEDLE TIPS" ON THE WEB
You can view selected articles from the table of contents below or download
the entire issue from the Web.
To view the table of contents with links to individual articles, go to:
http://www.immunize.org/nt.
The PDF file of the entire issue, linked below, is large at 1.13 megabytes.
Some printers cannot print such a large file. For tips on downloading and
printing PDF files, go to:
http://www.immunize.org/nslt.d/tips.htm.
To download a ready-to-print (PDF) version of the May issue, go to:
http://www.immunize.org/nslt.d/n32/n32.pdf.
The articles in the May issue fall into four broad areas: (1) general
immunization information, (2) viral hepatitis information, (3) childhood and
adolescent immunization resources, and (4) adult immunization resources.
GENERAL IMMUNIZATION INFORMATION (four articles)
(1) In "Ask the Experts--Immunization Questions," CDC specialists answer
questions about the newly licensed meningococcal conjugate vaccine and a
variety of questions about hepatitis B disease and vaccine.
To access a ready-to-print (PDF) version, go to:
http://www.immunize.org/nslt.d/n32/expert32.pdf.
To access a web-text (HTML) version, go to:
http://www.immunize.org/nslt.d/n32/expert32.htm.
(2) "Vaccine Highlights" presents information on newly licensed vaccines,
new pediatric immunization CPT codes, and Medicare's increased payment for
vaccine administration.
To access a ready-to-print (PDF) version, go to:
http://www.immunize.org/nslt.d/n32/vaccin32.pdf.
To access a web-text (HTML) version, go to:
http://www.immunize.org/nslt.d/n32/vaccin32.htm.
(3) Updated in April, "Suggestions to Improve Your Immunization Services"
gives health professionals an easy means of assessing the immunization
services they provide to patients.
To access a ready-to-print (PDF) version, go to:
http://www.immunize.org/catg.d/p2045tip.pdf.
To access a web-text (HTML) version, go to:
http://www.immunize.org/catg.d/p2045.htm.
(4) "Vaccine Storage and Handling" presents links to four online IAC
resources.
To access a ready-to-print (PDF) version, go to:
http://www.immunize.org/nslt.d/n32/vaccinestorage.pdf.
No web-text (HTML) version is available.
VIRAL HEPATITIS INFORMATION (one article)
(1) Adapted from a recent MMWR article, "Hepatitis B Virus Transmitted in
U.S. Long-Term-Care Facilities" presents guidelines for preventing hepatitis
B virus transmission in healthcare settings.
To access a ready-to-print (PDF) version, go to:
http://www.immunize.org/nslt.d/n32/hepb_ltc.pdf.
No web-text (HTML) version is available.
CHILDHOOD AND ADOLESCENT IMMUNIZATION RESOURCES (six articles)
(1) "Recommended Childhood and Adolescent Immunization Schedule, 2005"
includes the regular and "catch-up" schedules.
To access a ready-to-print (PDF) version, go to:
http://www.immunize.org/nslt.d/n32/2005childsched.pdf.
No web-text (HTML) version is available.
(2&3) The English-language "Immunizations for Babies: A guide for parents"
and its Spanish-language counterpart, "Vacunas para Bebes: Una guia para los
padres," give parents information about the vaccines recommended for babies
up to 24 months old.
To access the English-language version in ready-to-print (PDF) format, go
to:
http://www.immunize.org/catg.d/p4010imm.pdf.
To access it in web-text (HTML) format, go to:
http://www.immunize.org/catg.d/p4010.htm.
To access the Spanish-language version in ready-to-print (PDF) format, go
to:
http://www.immunize.org/catg.d/p4010-01imm.pdf.
To access it in web-text (HTML) format, go to:
http://www.immunize.org/catg.d/p4010-01.htm.
(4) "Unprotected People: Parents helpless as children battle pertussis"
presents three parents' accounts of their young children's experience with
the disease.
To access a ready-to-print (PDF) version, go to:
http://www.immunize.org/nslt.d/n32/story32.pdf.
To access a web-text (HTML) version, go to:
http://www.immunize.org/nslt.d/n32/story32.htm.
(5) The article "Vaccine Concerns" is excerpted from the most recent edition
of "Vaccines: What You Should Know," written by Paul A. Offit, MD, and Louis
M. Bell, MD.
To access a ready-to-print (PDF) version, go to:
http://www.immunize.org/nslt.d/n32/vaccineconcerns.pdf.
No web-text (HTML) version is available.
(6) Updated in April, the two-page brochure "Questions parents ask about
baby shots" succinctly answers parents' general questions about vaccines,
VPDs, vaccine safety, and more.
To access a ready-to-print (PDF) version, go to:
http://www.immunize.org/catg.d/p4025.pdf.
To access a web-text (HTML) version, go to:
http://www.immunize.org/nslt.d/n18/p4025.htm.
ADULT IMMUNIZATION RESOURCES (one article)
(1) Updated in January, "Pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine (PPV23): CDC
answers your questions" presents the latest information about pneumococcal
disease and PPV23 administration.
To access a ready-to-print (PDF) version, go to:
http://www.immunize.org/catg.d/2015pne.pdf.
To access a ready-to-print (PDF) version, go to:
http://www.immunize.org/catg.d/2015pne.htm.
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May 23, 2005
VISIT IAC'S REDESIGNED HEPATITIS PREVENTION PROGRAMS WEBSITE FOR HEPATITIS
AWARENESS MONTH
[The following is cross posted from the Immunization Action Coalition's "Hep
Express" electronic newsletter, 05/20/05.]
On May 14, IAC released a redesigned version of its hepatitis prevention
programs website. The website was originally launched in March 2001, as part
of a cooperative agreement with CDC's Division of Viral Hepatitis.
Originally, the site only showcased innovative programs across the nation
that worked to prevent hepatitis A, B, and/or C in adults and adolescents at
risk of infection. As such, the content was targeted toward public health
and social service managers who might be able to use the information to
improve their own programs.
As time went by, it became clear that more and more of the website's
visitors were members of the public. Many of these individuals probably
found the website via an Internet search engine while looking for hepatitis
information. To meet their needs, IAC added support group information and
links to other web pages that provide information on such topics of interest
as tattooing and travel vaccines.
The current redesign continues to broaden the information base of the
website, adding pages of hepatitis A and hepatitis B FAQs, cases histories,
photos, and video clips. We hope that this expanded coverage will be helpful
to the approximately 600 visitors who access this website every day.
Please visit the redesigned website at
http://www.hepprograms.org.
As always, we need your input! If you have a model program to share, go to:
http://www.hepprograms.org/tellus.htm. If you know of additional HBV
[hepatitis B virus] or HCV [hepatitis C virus] support groups, have viral
hepatitis resources to share (including brochures, manuals, slide sets,
photos, or videos), write
admin@hepprograms.org.
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May 23, 2005
NEW: DVD FORMAT OF "IMMUNIZATION TECHNIQUES: SAFE, EFFECTIVE, CARING" IS NOW
AVAILABLE
An extremely popular and effective training tool, the video "Immunization
Techniques: Safe, Effective, Caring" is now available as a DVD disc as well
as a VHS tape. The chief benefit of the DVD is that it offers both English-
and Spanish-language versions of the video and accompanying print materials
(see details below). Another benefit is that the video on the DVD can be
viewed on a computer as well as on a television.
VIDEO CONTENT INFORMATION
Every healthcare site in the United States that delivers vaccination
services should have a copy of this 35-minute video. Developed by the
California Department of Health Services Immunization Branch in
collaboration with a team of national experts, the video teaches best
practices for administering intramuscular (IM) and subcutaneous (SC)
vaccines to infants, children, and adults. It is designed for use as a
"hands-on" instructional program for new staff, as well as a refresher
course for experienced health professionals.
VHS INFORMATION
The VHS is available from IAC in English only and comes with the following
English-language print materials: (1) presenter's notes that include
instructional objectives, pre- and post-tests, and photos showing
vaccination sites appropriate for infants and toddlers and (2) a skills
checklist to help you document that your staff is well trained.
DVD INFORMATION
The DVD contains both an English version of the video and a version dubbed
in Spanish. You can watch the DVD on a television with a DVD player or on a
computer with a DVD drive.
The DVD includes English- and Spanish-language versions of the following
print materials: (1) the presenter's notes described above, (2), "Comforting
Restraint," a poster that clearly shows parents how to hold a child during
vaccination, and (3) "Be there for your child," a poster that presents ideas
parents can use before, during, and after vaccination to make the experience
easier for their child. The DVD also includes the following print materials
in English only: (1) the skills checklist described above, (2) "Immunization
Record and History," a chart that allows health professionals to document
vaccine administration information for each of the recommended childhood
vaccines, and (3) a resource list that directs parents to sources of
reliable immunization information. PLEASE NOTE: You must have Adobe Acrobat
Reader 5.0 or above to view and print the materials included on the DVD.
ORDERING INFORMATION
The cost for each VHS tape or DVD disc is $30. Discounts are available for
orders of 20 or more by calling (651) 647-9009.
To order online (U.S. addresses only), go to:
https://www.immunize.org/iztech.
To order by mail or fax, go to:
https://www.immunize.org/catg.d/2020a.pdf.
Shipping is free for small orders sent by fourth-class mail to U.S.
addresses. Expect delivery in 3-4 weeks.
To place an order from outside the United States, call IAC at (651) 647-9009
or email us at admin@immunize.org
(no phone orders please).
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May 23, 2005
CDC ISSUES PRESS RELEASE ABOUT FACTORS POSSIBLY ASSOCIATED WITH AUTISM RISK
On May 16, CDC issued a press release, "Parent, Pregnancy, and Birth Factors
Found Possible Associations with the Risk of Autism." Portions of it are
reprinted below.
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Pregnancy factors, parental psychiatric history, and preterm delivery may be
associated with the risk of autism, according to a recent study supported in
part by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The study,
"Risk Factors for Autism: Perinatal Factors, Parental Psychiatric History,
and Socioeconomic Status," appears in the most recent issue of the American
Journal of Epidemiology.
The research, which involved a national study of all 698 Danish children
with autism born after 1972 and diagnosed before 2000, focused on perinatal
risk factors (i.e., delivery and newborn characteristics, pregnancy
characteristics, and parental characteristics), parental psychiatric history
(i.e., did a parent have a diagnosed psychiatric illness before the date
that autism was diagnosed in the child), and socioeconomic status (i.e., the
mom's formal education and parental wealth at the child's birth). Previous
research had suggested each category may represent or include risk factors
for autism.
"This study is a helpful step forward in identifying possible risk factors
for autism," said Dr. José Cordero, director of CDC's National Center on
Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities. "It also indicates there may
be some children for whom we need extra vigilance in watching for signs of
developmental delay. In recent years, many programs and studies have found
that early recognition of autism and other developmental disabilities is
important because early treatment can significantly improve a child's
development. . . ."
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To access the entire press release, go to:
http://www.cdc.gov/od/oc/media/pressrel/r050516.htm.
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May 23, 2005
NEW: MAY 20 ISSUE OF IAC'S HEP EXPRESS ELECTRONIC NEWSLETTER NOW AVAILABLE
ONLINE
The May 20 issue of Hep Express, an electronic newsletter published by IAC,
is now available online. Hep Express is intended for health and social
service professionals involved in the prevention and treatment of viral
hepatitis. The May 20 issue includes articles on the following:
- Online hepatitis resources from the
Migrant Clinicians Network and the Asian Liver Center at Stanford
University
- Two donation opportunities: (1) to fund
hepatitis B vaccination services to a child in China and (2) to help fund
liver cancer research and education through this year's two Answer to
Cancer Races, scheduled for Oregon and New Jersey
- A conference on drug using communities and
hepatitis C, scheduled for May 26-27 in Brooklyn
- WHO's guide for estimating the number of
hepatitis and HIV infections among healthcare workers that are related to
injuries from contaminated sharps
To access the May 20 issue, go to:
http://www.hepprograms.org/hepexpress/issue30.asp.
To sign up for a free subscription to Hep Express, go to:
http://www.hepprograms.org/hepexpress/signup.asp.
To access previous issues of Hep Express, go to:
http://www.hepprograms.org/hepexpress/index.asp. |
