Issue Number 586            March 6, 2006

CONTENTS OF THIS ISSUE

  1. Dr. Paul A. Offit to deliver Hilleman lecture at National Immunization Conference
  2. HHS secretary Mike Leavitt to address NIC's opening plenary session
  3. HHS prepares for potential influenza pandemic by buying additional antiviral medications
  4. CDC posts provisional ACIP recommendations for wider use of varicella vaccine, including a second dose during outbreaks
  5. New: CDC announces addition of Hib module to its "You Call the Shots" training course
  6. CDC updates its Influenza web section with news about the geographical spread of avian influenza
  7. IAC's hepatitis website celebrates five years of sharing good ideas!
  8. MMWR includes an article about investigational product for varicella postexposure prophylaxis
  9. CDC reports on U.S. influenza activity during February 12–18
  10. February 28 issue of IAC's Hep Express newsletter now online
  11. B Informed patient conference scheduled for June 10–11
  12. Points Across III health promotion conference will introduce Coalition University

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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 6, 2006
DR. PAUL A. OFFIT TO DELIVER HILLEMAN LECTURE AT NATIONAL IMMUNIZATION CONFERENCE

Paul A. Offit, MD, will deliver the ninth annual Jeryl Lynn Hilleman Endowed Lecture at the 2006 National Immunization Conference. The person selected to deliver the Hilleman lecture is one who, through work or leadership, has made significant contributions to the prevention of disease through immunization.

Dr. Offit holds three positions at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia: chief, Infectious Diseases; Maurice R. Hilleman Endowed Chair in Vaccinology; and director, Vaccine Education Center. In addition, he is co-inventor, along with Stanley A. Plotkin, MD, and H. Fred Clark, DVM, PhD, of RotaTeq rotavirus vaccine. FDA recently licensed the vaccine for use among infants in the United States.
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March 6, 2006
HHS SECRETARY MIKE LEAVITT TO ADDRESS NIC'S OPENING PLENARY SESSION

On March 1, CDC issued a media advisory announcing that Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Mike Leavitt will speak at the opening plenary session of the National Immunization Conference (NIC). Portions of the advisory are reprinted below.

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For immediate release
March 1, 2006

NATIONAL IMMUNIZATION CONFERENCE HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES SECRETARY MIKE LEAVITT AND CDC DIRECTOR DR. JULIE GERBERDING WILL ADDRESS IMMUNIZATION PROFESSIONALS

HHS Secretary Mike Leavitt will address the Opening Plenary Session in the Grand Ballroom, Monday, March 6, at 9 a.m.; Secretary Leavitt will discuss the nation's influenza pandemic planning, the importance of new technologies and expanding vaccine manufacturing capacity to meet the threat of a world-wide pandemic. Other conference speakers include CDC Director Dr. Julie Gerberding; NIP Director Dr. Anne Schuchat; Dr. Bob Davis, director of CDC's new Office of Vaccine Safety; Dr. Jon Abramson, chair, Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (New Vaccines Across the Lifespan); Dr. Bruce Gellin, director of the National Vaccine Program Office; and Dr. Walt Orenstein, associate director of the Emory Vaccine Center and professor of medicine and pediatrics at Emory University (and former CDC NIP director). . . .

For more information about [the NIC] program and registration go to:
www.cdc.gov/nip/nic

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To access the complete media advisory, go to:
http://www.cdc.gov/od/oc/media/pressrel/a060301a.htm
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March 6, 2006
HHS PREPARES FOR POTENTIAL INFLUENZA PANDEMIC BY BUYING ADDITIONAL ANTIVIRAL MEDICATIONS

On March 1, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) issued a press release announcing that it has ordered additional antiviral drugs for use during a potential influenza pandemic. The opening paragraph of the release is reprinted below.

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For immediate release
Wednesday, March 1, 2006

HHS BUYS ADDITIONAL ANTIVIRAL MEDICATION AS PREPARATIONS FOR POTENTIAL INFLUENZA PANDEMIC CONTINUE

HHS Secretary Mike Leavitt today announced the purchase of additional antiviral drugs that could be used in the event of a potential influenza pandemic. The department has ordered 1.75 million treatment courses of antiviral drug zanamivir (Relenza) from GlaxoSmithKline and 12.4 million treatment courses of oseltamivir phosphate (Tamiflu) from Roche. These drugs will be added to the already purchased 5.5 million treatment courses of antiviral drugs for the Strategic National Stockpile and be provided to the states when an influenza pandemic is deemed to be imminent. . . .

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To access the complete press release, go to:
http://www.hhs.gov/news/press/2006pres/20060301.html
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March 6, 2006
CDC POSTS PROVISIONAL ACIP RECOMMENDATIONS FOR WIDER USE OF VARICELLA VACCINE, INCLUDING A SECOND DOSE DURING OUTBREAKS

NIP's web section Provisional ACIP Recommendations includes a link to provisional recommendations for prevention of varicella. ACIP voted to expand its recommendations for varicella vaccine at its June 2005 meeting.

Titled Prevention of Varicella—Provisional Updated ACIP Recommendations for Varicella Vaccine Use, the provisional recommendations are intended to promote wider use of the vaccine among adolescents, adults, and HIV-infected children. In addition, it calls for certain persons to receive a second dose of vaccine during varicella outbreak situations.

To access the provisional varicella recommendations, go to:
http://www.cdc.gov/nip/vaccine/varicella/varicella_acip_recs.pdf

To access all provisional recommendations, which include those for Tdap vaccination for adults, hepatitis A vaccination for children, and hepatitis B vaccination for adults, go to:
http://www.cdc.gov/nip/recs/provisional_recs/default.htm
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March 6, 2006
NEW: CDC ANNOUNCES ADDITION OF HIB MODULE TO ITS "YOU CALL THE SHOTS" TRAINING COURSE

CDC recently announced the addition of a Hib (Haemophilus influenzae type b) module to NIP's web-based training course "Immunization: You Call the Shots." This module discusses characteristics of Hib-related diseases, the Hib vaccine, and recommendations for vaccine use. Extra learning opportunities, self-test practice questions, reference and resource materials, and a glossary are provided.

For additional information on "You Call the Shots," go to:
http://www.cdc.gov/nip/ed/youcalltheshots.htm

To access the Hib module, go to:
http://www2.cdc.gov/nip/isd/ycts/mod1/courses/hib/start.asp
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March 6, 2006
CDC UPDATES ITS INFLUENZA WEB SECTION WITH NEWS ABOUT THE GEOGRAPHICAL SPREAD OF AVIAN INFLUENZA

CDC recently updated its Influenza web section with information that the following were added to a list of countries reporting animal cases of avian influenza: Serbia and Montenegro (posted 3/2/06); Hungary (posted 3/1/06); Niger (posted 2/28/06); and Slovak Republic and Switzerland (posted 2/27/06).

To access these resources, go to: http://www.cdc.gov/flu/whatsnew.htm#updated and click on the pertinent link(s).

In addition, the order to embargo birds and bird products (dated February 4, 2004) was amended to include birds and bird products from Niger (posted 3/2/06) and Egypt (posted 2/27/06).

To access these resources, go to: http://www.cdc.gov/flu/whatsnew.htm#new and click on the pertinent link(s).

To access a broad range of continually updated information on seasonal influenza, avian influenza, and pandemic influenza, go to: http://www.cdc.gov/flu
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March 6, 2006
IAC'S HEPATITIS WEBSITE CELEBRATES FIVE YEARS OF SHARING GOOD IDEAS!

[The following is cross posted from the Immunization Action Coalition's Hep Express electronic newsletter, 2/28/06.]

IAC's hepatitis prevention programs website, http://www.hepprograms.org, was launched in March 2001 as part of a cooperative agreement with CDC's Division of Viral Hepatitis. The site features programs successfully preventing hepatitis A, B, and/or C in adolescents and adults at risk of infection. The content is targeted toward public health and social service managers who might be able to use the information to start or improve hepatitis prevention programs.

Originally, the website included 32 programs; currently, the site highlights 107 programs in 10 risk categories.

The following twelve projects have been added since the last article about the website in Hep Express.

Addiction Recovery Hepatitis Intervention (South Florida)
Category: harm reduction
http://www.hepprograms.org/drug/drug13.asp

Addictions Treatment Center, VA Puget Sound Health Care System
(Washington state)
Category: harm reduction
http://www.hepprograms.org/drug/drug14.asp

B-Empowered (Bucks County, PA)
Category: other
http://www.hepprograms.org/other/other9.asp

Community Health Care Van (New Haven, CT)
Categories: STD/HIV, harm reduction, homeless
http://www.hepprograms.org/drug/drug15.asp

Crossroads Rhode Island Viral Hepatitis Prevention Program
Category: homeless
http://www.hepprograms.org/homeless/home5.asp

Genesis House (Chicago, IL)
Category: other
http://www.hepprograms.org/other/other10.asp

HIV and Hepatitis Program, Panhandle Community Services (Nebraska)
Categories: STD/HIV, MSM [men who have sex with men], harm reduction
http://www.hepprograms.org/std/std17.asp

Korean American Hepatitis B Church Project
(Colorado Springs, CO)
Category: Asian Pacific Islander American
http://www.hepprograms.org/apia/apia11.asp

North Dakota Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation
Category: adult corrections
http://www.hepprograms.org/adult/adult14.asp

Next Stop Care Program (Boston, MA)
Categories: harm reduction, homeless
http://www.hepprograms.org/homeless/home6.asp

Twinrix Project (North Carolina)
Categories: STD/HIV, MSM, harm reduction, adult corrections
http://www.hepprograms.org/std/std15.asp

Vaccine for Adults at High Risk Program (Kansas)
Category: STD/HIV
http://www.hepprograms.org/std/std16.asp

Several other programs have updated their information as well. "Posted" or "Updated" dates are listed on each category index page.

In addition to the program descriptions, the website also offers support group information, hepatitis A and hepatitis B FAQs, case histories, photos, and video clips. This information was added over the years to help the approximately 600 visitors who access this website every day, many of whom are members of the public, not health professionals.

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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March 6, 2006
MMWR INCLUDES AN ARTICLE ABOUT INVESTIGATIONAL PRODUCT FOR VARICELLA POSTEXPOSURE PROPHYLAXIS

CDC published "A New Product (VariZIG) for Postexposure Prophylaxis of Varicella Available Under an Investigational New Drug Application Expanded Access Protocol" in the March 3 issue of MMWR. Previously, the article was available only in electronic format as an MMWR Early Release.

To access a web-text (HTML) version of the complete article, go to: http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm5508a5.htm

To access a ready-to-print (PDF) version of this issue of MMWR, go to: http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/PDF/wk/mm5508.pdf

To receive a FREE electronic subscription to MMWR (which includes new ACIP statements), go to:
http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/mmwrsubscribe.html
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March 6, 2006
CDC REPORTS ON U.S. INFLUENZA ACTIVITY DURING FEBRUARY 12–18

CDC published "Update: Influenza Activity—United States, February 12–18, 2006" in the March 3 issue of MMWR. The article's opening paragraph is reprinted below.

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During February 12–18, 2006, the number of states reporting widespread influenza activity increased to 17. Eighteen states reported regional activity, 10 reported local activity, and four reported sporadic activity.

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To access a web-text (HTML) version of the complete article, go to: http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm5508a6.htm

To access a ready-to-print (PDF) version of this issue of MMWR, go to: http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/PDF/wk/mm5508.pdf
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March 6, 2006
FEBRUARY 28 ISSUE OF IAC'S HEP EXPRESS NEWSLETTER NOW ONLINE

The February 28 issue of Hep Express, an electronic newsletter published by IAC, is now available online. It is intended for health and social service professionals involved in the prevention and treatment of viral hepatitis. IAC Express has already covered some of the information presented in the February 28 Hep Express; titles of articles we have not yet covered follow.

  • CDC posts presentations from the February 2 NetConference on ACIP's new childhood hepatitis B recommendations
  • California Hepatitis C Task Force meeting scheduled for April 7–8
  • Hepatitis B Foundation redesigns its website
  • Asian American Hepatitis B Program launches new website
  • Hepatitis B Foundation posts Fall 2005 issue of the "B Informed" newsletter on its website

To access the February 28 issue, go to:
http://www.hepprograms.org/hepexpress/issue41.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
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March 6, 2006
B INFORMED PATIENT CONFERENCE SCHEDULED FOR JUNE 10–11

[The following is cross posted from the Immunization Action Coalition's Hep Express electronic newsletter, 2/28/06.]

The B Informed Patient Conference will take place at the Asian Liver Center on the campus of Stanford University in California on June 10–11. The conference is sponsored by the Hepatitis B Foundation in partnership with the Hepatitis B Information and Support List and the Asian Liver Center.

The B Informed Conference is an opportunity for hepatitis B patients and their loved ones to meet with experts and share their experiences with others. The conference will provide valuable information about treatment updates, disease management, and lifestyle issues to help individuals live successfully with chronic HBV [hepatitis B virus] infection.

For more information, go to:
http://www.hepb.org/patients/patient_conference.htm
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March 6, 2006
POINTS ACROSS III HEALTH PROMOTION CONFERENCE WILL INTRODUCE COALITION UNIVERSITY

Sponsored by the Maryland Partnership for Prevention (MPP), Points Across III: Making and Measuring a Difference in Health Promotion is scheduled for May 17 in Columbia, MD. The event will feature workshops on fundraising, event planning, strategic planning, health literacy, and public relations.

In a pre-conference event planned for May 16, MPP will introduce Coalition University, a series of workshops designed to help public health professionals build and maintain healthy coalitions.

For a brochure with comprehensive information on Points Across III and Coalition University, go to:
http://www.edcp.org/pdf/Brochure-FINAL_020906.pdf

For additional information, email mdpartnershipforprevention@msn.com or call (410) 902-4677.

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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Editorial Information

  • Editor-in-Chief
    Kelly L. Moore, MD, MPH
  • Managing Editor
    John D. Grabenstein, RPh, PhD
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    Taryn Chapman, MS
    Courtnay Londo, MA
  • Style and Copy Editor
    Marian Deegan, JD
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