Our weekly email newsletter, IZ Express, has been in production since 1997 and currently has more than 50,000 subscribers. Each week, it provides up-to-date information about:
Q: Please review the most recent ACIP changes in recommendations for use of PCV13 in children.
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Q: If a patient has already had PPSV23 for his high-risk condition and also needs PCV13 for the same condition, how long should we wait before administering PCV13?
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Q: I work in a family medicine clinic that sees patients (children and adults) who are asplenic. Can we give them Hib vaccine since they are at high risk for Haemophilus influenzae type b disease?
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Q: I have a patient who is eligible for zoster vaccination who is going to be receiving chemotherapy soon. What are the guidelines in such a situation?
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Q: A 33-year-old patient in my practice has already suffered from three episodes of shingles. He would like to receive the zoster vaccine. Is this a good idea?
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Q: Some women have closely spaced pregnancies. Should we give Tdap during each pregnancy, even if it means such women would get 2 doses within 12 months?
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Q: At what gestational age of pregnancy should we vaccinate pregnant women with Tdap?
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Q: We would like to avoid stocking both Tdap and Td vaccines. Is CDC likely to recommend that Tdap completely replace Td in the immunization schedule in the near future?
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Q: The recently updated ACIP recommendations, Prevention and Control of Meningococcal Disease, advise using MCV4 in certain adults older than age 55. Please give me more details.
New! May 2013 issue of Vaccinate Adults now online
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Reminder: May 2013 issue of Needle Tips online
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IAC Spotlight! Seven more healthcare organizations join IAC's Honor Roll for Patient Safety
IAC Handouts
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IAC revises its two most popular staff education materials, "Summary of Recommendations for Child/Teen Immunization" and "Summary of Recommendations for Adult Immunization"
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IAC updates its staff education materials "Current Dates of Vaccine Information Statements" and "It's Federal Law! You must give your patients current Vaccine Information Statements (VISs)"
Featured Resources
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Order IAC's popular full-size laminated versions of the 2013 U.S. immunization schedules today!
Journal Articles and Newsletters
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CDC publishes report on value of pharmacy-based influenza surveillance
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CDC publishes report on building laboratory capacity to support the Global Rotavirus Surveillance Network
CDC publishes interim recommendations on influenza vaccination
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AAP reaffirms policy regarding parents who refuse immunization for their children
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Opinion piece by Dr. Paul Offit about religious exemptions to medical care published in the Philadelphia Inquirer
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IAC Spotlight! Personal testimonies on vaccine-preventable diseases; polio survivor recalls loss of twin to the disease in recently added testimony
IAC Handouts
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New! IAC develops eight easy-to-read handouts that encourage adults and teens to get vaccinated
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IAC updates its educational pieces "Current Dates of Vaccine Information Statements" and "It's Federal Law! You must give your patients current Vaccine Information Statements"
Vaccine Information Statements
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CDC releases updated Tdap VIS; additional document available for providers
Official Releases and Announcements
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CDC publishes updated guidance on HCV testing
Featured Resources
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It's Hepatitis Awareness Month; organizations offer resources to promote hepatitis awareness and education
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Order IAC's popular full-size laminated versions of the 2013 U.S. immunization schedules today!
Journal Articles and Newsletters
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CDC reports on HCV infection testing and reporting in the U.S.
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CDC reprints MMWR Early Release article about avian influenza A(H7N9) in May 10 MMWR
Education and Training
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Archive of March 21 Current Issues in Immunization NetConference available online
Now available! IAC's sturdy laminated versions of the 2013 U.S. child/teen and adult immunization schedules—order a supply for your healthcare setting today!
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Now's a great time to place an order for the Immunization Techniques DVD and IAC's personal patient record cards! For greater discounts, make bulk purchases!
Reminder: February issues of Needle Tips and Vaccinate Adults available online
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Dr. William L. Atkinson receives the United States Public Health Service Distinguished Service Medal
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NVAC Report highlights the critical role the federal Section 317 Immunization Program plays in sustaining the nation's vaccine infrastructure
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New York State law requires hospitals to offer and provide Tdap vaccination to parents and caregivers of newborns
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Vaccineinformation.org, IAC's newly launched website for the public, offers the basics on vaccines and vaccination
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CDC publishes a summary of the February 2013 ACIP meeting
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IAC clarifies an "Ask the Experts" answer that appeared in the March 6 issue of IAC Express
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April 24 is World Meningitis Day
IAC Handouts
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IAC updates its educational piece titled "Current Dates of Vaccine Information Statements"
Vaccine Information Statements
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CDC releases updated VIS for PCV13 vaccine; additional document available for providers
Official Releases and Announcements
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CDC reports that U.S. rabies vaccine supply remains restricted
Featured Resources
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Influenza is serious; vaccination is recommended for nearly everyone, so please keep vaccinating your patients
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New CDC infographic shows parents and parents-to-be the three ways to protect infants against pertussis
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CDC posts updated vaccine price lists for pediatric/VFC vaccines and adult vaccines
Journal Articles and Newsletters
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February issue of CDC's Immunization Works newsletter now available
Education and Training
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CDC's March 21 NetConference to cover adult immunization, Tdap vaccine recommendations for pregnant women, and the 2013 child/adolescent immunization schedule
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MMWR announces the Epidemiology in Action course will be held in Atlanta on June 3–14
Conferences and Meetings
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2013 California Immunization Coalition Summit scheduled for April 14–15 in Los Angeles
Q: I understand that ACIP recently changed its definition of evidence of immunity to measles, rubella, and mumps. Please explain.
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Q: What are the new provisional ACIP recommendations for use of immune globulin (IG) for measles post-exposure prophylaxis?
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Q: Please describe the new provisional ACIP recommendations for the use of MMR vaccine in people who are HIV-infected.
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Q: Some single-dose pre-loaded vaccines come with an air pocket in the syringe chamber. Do we need to expel the air pocket before vaccinating?
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Q: Is it recommended to use a new alcohol swab to cleanse the skin before administering a vaccine, or can we swab the skin with the same alcohol swab that we used to wipe off the stopper on the vial?
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Q: I have a 45-year-old patient who is traveling to Haiti for a mission trip. She doesn’t recall ever getting an MMR booster (she didn’t go to college and never worked in health care). She was rubella immune when pregnant 20 years ago. Her measles titer is negative. Would you recommend an MMR booster?
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Q: A nursing student received 2 valid, documented doses of varicella vaccine. For whatever reason, she subsequently had a titer drawn. The titer was negative. Do you recommend revaccination with 2 doses of varicella vaccine?
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Q: If a patient is not able to receive rotavirus vaccine orally, can we give it through a G-tube?
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Q: What vaccines can we safely give to an infant or older child who has a sibling undergoing treatment for leukemia?
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Q: If the lymph nodes under a patient’s arm were surgically removed, should we avoid giving vaccines in that arm?
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Q: An employee is currently taking prophylactic acyclovir daily to prevent herpes type 2 recurrent infection. Can she receive zoster vaccine?
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Q: Is it safe for a pregnant healthcare worker to administer zoster (shingles) vaccine?
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Q: We inadvertently reconstituted a vaccine with the wrong diluent and administered the vaccine. By the time we realized our error, the patient had already left the clinic. Do we need to revaccinate the patient? If so, when should we do it?
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Q: An adult came to our office for hepatitis A, hepatitis B, Tdap, and influenza vaccination. Afterward, it appeared that we did not record influenza vaccination on her chart. When questioned, the patient said she thought she got all four shots. Should we give her another dose of influenza vaccine or assume we gave it as intended?
Q: I keep hearing about changes to vaccine storage and handling recommendations. Why is CDC making these changes? And how can I make sure I am up to date with all the newest information?
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Q: Is it still acceptable to use combination household units for storing vaccines?
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Q: What temperature is considered a temperature excursion on refrigerated vaccine? Frozen vaccine?
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Q: What are the new ACIP recommendations for vaccinating pregnant women with Tdap?
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Q: If a woman did not receive Tdap during pregnancy, and it is uncertain whether she received a dose of Tdap prior to her pregnancy, should she receive a dose of Tdap postpartum?
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Q: I have an adult patient with controlled epilepsy who wishes to receive the Tdap vaccine. May I vaccinate him?
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Q: A 7-year-old who needed a tetanus shot for wound management came into our emergency department. My question is, if a child has received the complete 5-dose series of DTaP but has never had Tdap, should the child receive Tdap or Td for wound management?
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Q: What are the new ACIP recommendations for use of MenHibrix, the new combination meningococcal Groups C and Y and Haemophilus influenzae type b vaccine?
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Q: Is fainting after the first or second dose of HPV vaccine a contraindication to administering subsequent doses?
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Q: How soon after taking prednisone for an asthma attack can a child receive a flu shot?
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Q: We inadvertently administered an adult dose (0.5 mL) of influenza vaccine to an 8-month-old infant. Does this child need the second dose?
New! February 2013 issue of Needle Tips now online
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IAC revises its two most popular staff educational materials, Summary of Recommendations for Child/Teen Immunization and Summary of Recommendations for Adult Immunization
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New! Vaccineinformation.org offers personal testimonies on vaccine-preventable diseases, organized by age group and disease
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Clinicians: The Influenza Vaccine Availability Tracking System (IVATS) can help you find influenza vaccine
Featured Resources
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National Foundation for Infectious Diseases relaunches its adolescent vaccination website
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Influenza continues to spread and is serious; vaccination is recommended for nearly everyone, so please keep vaccinating your patients
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Hepatitis B and C educational postcards available in Pacific Islander languages
Journal Articles
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CDC publishes article about chronic hepatitis B and C virus infection reporting in Michigan
Education and Training
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CDC adds modules on vaccine storage and handling and the VFC program to its "You Call the Shots" training course
IAC welcomes Dr. Litjen (L.J) Tan as chief strategy officer
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New! Vaccineinformation.org Video Library offers a searchable collection of almost 100 videos about vaccine-preventable diseases and the importance of immunization
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At least nine polio vaccine health workers killed in Nigeria
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Clinicians: The Influenza Vaccine Availability Tracking System (IVATS) can help you find influenza vaccine
Featured Resources
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CDC launches new video, infographic, and PSAs
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Influenza continues to spread and is serious; vaccination is recommended for nearly everyone, so please keep vaccinating your patients
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California VFC program's flyer encourages late-season influenza vaccination
Nominations and Awards
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CDC requests nominations for Childhood Immunization Champion Awards
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National Influenza Vaccine Summit is accepting nominations for its 2013 Immunization Excellence Awards by March 15
Conferences and Meetings
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Iowa Immunization Conference scheduled for June 12-13 in Des Moines
New York City recommends meningococcal vaccination for certain men who have sex with men
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IAC Spotlight! Hundreds of images/photos related to vaccination and VPDs
IAC Handouts
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New staff-education piece: "Pneumococcal Vaccination Recommendations for Children and Adults by Age and/or Risk Factor," along with an updated "Pneumococcal Vaccines—CDC answers your questions"
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New parent handout: "Vaccinations for Infants and Children, Age 0–10 Years"
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IAC takes a fresh approach in its handout for adolescents “Vaccinations for Preteens and Teens, Age 11–19 Years”
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New patient handout: "Vaccinations for Adults with Diabetes"
Featured Resources
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Influenza is spreading and serious, and vaccination is recommended for nearly everyone, so please keep vaccinating your patients
CDC announces December 2–8 is National Influenza Vaccination Week
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New and important: CDC releases its Vaccine Storage & Handling Toolkit and related resources
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IAC Spotlight! Twelve more healthcare organizations join IAC's Honor Roll for Patient Safety
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CDC to present a December 13 NetConference on what's new in preventing measles, mumps, and rubella
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CDC releases digital press kit on the impact of unsafe injection practices
IAC Handouts
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IAC updates "It's Federal Law! You must give your patients current Vaccine Information Statement (VISs)" and "Current Dates of Vaccine Information Statements"
Official Releases and Announcements
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December 21 is the deadline to submit funding proposals for evidence-based HPV and adult immunization projects
Featured Resources
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Looking for a good laugh? Canadian comedian Rick Mercer makes a fast-paced, accurate pitch for getting a flu shot
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Influenza vaccination is recommended for nearly everyone, so please vaccinate your patients
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The Joint Commission issues "Improving Patient and Worker Safety" monograph
National Influenza Vaccination Week is December 2–8; CDC makes a multitude of resources available
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Bulk quantities of pocket guides for influenza, pneumococcal, Tdap, and zoster vaccines are available—FREE!—from the National Influenza Vaccine Summit and IAC
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Dr. Chesley Richards named director of NCIRD's Immunization Services Division
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IAC Spotlight! Newly developed educational materials for patients and staff on immunize.org
IAC Handouts
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IAC updates "Recommendations for Pneumococcal Vaccine Use in Children and Teens"
IAC Web Sections
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IAC updates online Ask the Experts Q&A web section on pneumococcal disease and vaccines
Vaccine Information Statements
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CDC issues updated multi-vaccine VIS
Official Releases and Announcements
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AAP announces that the Red Book Online now includes full text of the new Spanish 2012 Red Book
Featured Resources
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Influenza vaccination is recommended for nearly everyone, so please vaccinate your patients
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CDC launches new website on Haemophilus influenzae disease
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CDC's influenza iPad app for healthcare professionals is available for free download
Journal Articles and Newsletters
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October issue of CDC's Immunization Works newsletter now available
Education and Training
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Register soon for CDC's November 29 NetConference on vaccine storage and handling
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Families Fighting Flu offers free November 29 webinar to teach moms and moms-to-be how to protect themselves and their children from influenza
Conferences and Meetings
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CDC posts presentation slides from the October 24–25 ACIP meeting and publishes brief meeting update
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November 30 is the deadline for coalitions to apply to host the 2014 National Conference on Immunization and Health Coalitions
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CDC announces the Annual Conference on Vaccine Research will be held in Baltimore on April 22–24, 2013
Q: Which formulations of influenza vaccines (i.e., nasal spray, intradermal, injectable high-dose, and injectable standard-dose) are recommended for various age groups?
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Q: Can a clinic vaccinate children younger than age 3 years with a 0.25 mL dose of influenza vaccine taken from a multi-dose vial of Fluzone (TIV; sanofi)? The multi-dose vial contains thimerosal as a preservative.
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Q: In recommending influenza vaccination for people age 65 and older, does CDC prefer that healthcare professionals administer high-dose influenza vaccine or standard-dose influenza vaccine?
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Q: If a patient received a dose of influenza vaccine in June (e.g., for international travel), how long should the patient wait before getting vaccinated with the next season’s flu vaccine?
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Q: Can adolescents and adults who have been exposed to pertussis be vaccinated if they haven’t had a one-time dose of Tdap yet?
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Q: Should a person who received 2 doses of varicella vaccine be vaccinated with zoster vaccine when they turn 60?
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Q: Can we accept receipt of a single documented dose of zoster vaccine as proof of varicella immunity in a healthcare employee who has no other evidence of immunity?
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Q: I work in employee health. Several hospital employees have told me they have had chickenpox, but their titers show no antibodies. Should I offer varicella vaccination to them even though they insist they’ve had the illness?
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Q: Does the recommendation to administer hepatitis B vaccine to diabetics younger than age 60 extend to women with gestational diabetes?
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Q: I still am not clear about the need for testing if the hepatitis B vaccine series was completed many years ago—can you advise?
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Q: Should women who have not received HPV vaccine get Pap tests more often than women who have received HPV vaccine?
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Q: Is it acceptable practice to administer MMR, Tdap, and influenza vaccines to a postpartum mom at the same time as administering RhoGam?
Q: Which children younger than age 9 years will need 2 doses of influenza vaccine in the 2012–13 influenza season?
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Q: What is the latest ACIP guidance on influenza vaccination and egg allergy?
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Q: Why do we vaccinate pregnant women against influenza when it is not recommended to vaccinate infants younger than age 6 months?
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Q: A child received a 0.25 mL dose of inactivated influenza vaccine (TIV) at age 34 months. She is scheduled to return for the second dose at age 36 months. Should she receive a 0.25 mL dose or a 0.5 mL dose?
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Q: Now that FDA has licensed Prevnar 13 (PCV13; Pfizer) for adults, does ACIP have recommendations for its use?
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Q: I am confused about which adults to vaccinate with Tdap vaccine and which product to use. Please help!
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Q: Who should get a second dose of Tdap vaccine?
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Q: If Cervarix (HPV2; GSK) is inadvertently administered to a male, does the dose need to be repeated with Gardasil (HPV4; Merck)?
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Q: If a healthcare worker does not have a history of varicella vaccination or disease but has had a clinically diagnosed case of shingles, does she or he still need varicella vaccination?
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Q: ACIP recommends that adolescents who receive the first dose of meningococcal conjugate vaccine (MCV4) at age 13–15 years receive a one-time booster dose at age 16–18 years. Given how hard it is to get teens into a medical office, is it okay to give the doses close together if the opportunity arises? For example, if a patient got the first dose at age 15, and then came back for a sports physical at age 16, could we give the second dose of MCV4 then or should we try to space it out as far as possible (age 18)?
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Q: Can you switch brands of rabies vaccine to complete the 4-dose series?
Reminder: August 2012 issues of Needle Tips and Vaccinate Adults available online
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CDC publishes report on 2011 national and state vaccination coverage among adolescents age 13–17
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CDC to expand efforts to promote HPV vaccination to physicians, teens, and parents
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CDC reports nation's first influenza H3N2v-associated death, as well as more cases and hospitalizations
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Study indicates children with neurologic disorders have high risk of death from influenza
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Spotlight on immunize.org: five more healthcare organizations join IAC's Honor Roll for Patient Safety
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HealthMap Vaccine Finder directs users to nearby locations that give influenza vaccinations
IAC Handouts
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IAC updates "Screening Questionnaire for Inactivated Injectable Influenza Vaccination" and "Screening Questionnaire for Live Attenuated Intranasal Influenza Vaccination"
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IAC updates "Guides for determining the number of doses of influenza vaccine to give to children ages 6 months through 8 years during the 2012–2013 influenza season"
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IAC updates "Standing Orders for Administering Influenza Vaccine to Adults" and "Standing Orders for Administering Influenza Vaccines to Children and Adolescents"
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IAC updates "Influenza Vaccine Products for the 2012–2013 Influenza Season"
Featured Resources
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FDA posts guidance on storing and using temperature-sensitive biological products during severe weather
Journal Articles and Newsletters
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CDC publishes report on measles outbreaks and transmission in the Horn of Africa during 2010–11
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2011 National Immunization Survey included households with only cell phone service
Q: What are the minimum intervals for giving the 3-dose series of Twinrix (hepatitis A-hepatitis B vaccine; GSK)?
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Q: When reconstituting a vaccine with the manufacturer-supplied diluent, should the clinic nurse administer exactly 0.5 mL and then discard the rest?
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Q: Should we fill out a report with the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS) if a patient faints after getting a vaccination, even if no injury or complication resulted?
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Q: If a new version of a VIS becomes available, is it legal for us to use up the outdated VISs or do we have to discard them and provide the most up-to-date version?
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Q: A 10-year-old girl came to our immunization clinic, and the nurse noted crusted lesions on her arms and legs. The parent said the child had had chickenpox a week earlier. The girl was not ill, so we vaccinated her. But now I am wondering if her recent case of chickenpox might interfere with her immune response to vaccines.
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Q: A child wiggled when we were injecting a dose of vaccine, and approximately half the dose was lost. Should we revaccinate the child? If so, when?
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Q: Should a healthcare worker who has just received a dose of a live virus vaccine (varicella, MMR, LAIV, yellow fever) stay away from work for a certain number of days?
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Q: How long must a patient wait after receiving zoster vaccine to start treatment with an immunosuppressive drug?
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Q: Should we withhold rotavirus vaccine from an infant if someone in the household is receiving chemotherapy for cancer?
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Q: If a patient recently received a blood product, when can he or she receive MMR vaccine?
New: CDC issues VISs for the 2012–13 influenza vaccines—for translations, stay tuned
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CDC issues recommendations on managing healthcare providers and students with hepatitis B virus infection
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Spotlight on immunize.org: “Technically Speaking” column from IAC’s executive director covers practical topics in delivering vaccination services
IAC Handouts
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IAC updates "It's Federal Law" and "Current Dates of VISs" with new influenza vaccine VIS dates
Vaccine Information Statements
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IAC posts VIS translations in Armenian, Cambodian, Haitian Creole, Hmong, Karen, Korean, Portuguese, Tagalog, and Yiddish
Education and Training
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CDC and America's Health Insurance Plans schedule webinars to improve public health third-party billing and reimbursement processes for vaccine delivery
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VICNetwork to host July 25 webinar on CDC's strategies and plans for the 2012–13 influenza season
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American Society of Heath-System Pharmacists plans webinars on increasing adult immunization in hospitals
