Adolescent Immunization Brochure from Seattle & King County. WA
The Immunization Program at Public Health - Seattle & King County recently posted a brochure titled "Is Your 11 to 18 Year-Old Protected from Serious Diseases?" Intended for parents, the double-sided brochure presents clear and convincing reasons for vaccinating preteens and teens against meningococcal disease, pertussis, and human papillomavirus.
The Risk of Autism Is Not Increased by "Too Many Vaccines Too Soon"
The article in the Journal of Pediatrics, "Increasing Exposure to Antibody-stimulating Proteins and Polysaccharides in Vaccines is Not Associated with Risk of Autism" is the first study of its kind to evaluate the issue of "too many vaccines too soon" and the development of autism. Researchers collected data from 3 managed care organizations and evaluated the number of vaccine antigens received in the first two years of life in a group of 256 children with ASD compared with 752 children without ASD. This study's results cover a broader range of vaccine antigen exposures than the typical child would be exposed to today. The results provide relevant data for the current immunization schedule. To read more on this study, go here.
Long-term Effectiveness of Varicella Vaccine: A 14-Year, Prospective Cohort Study
This study confirmed that varicella vaccine is effective at preventing chicken pox, with no waning noted over a 14-year period. One dose provided excellent protection against moderate to severe disease, and most cases occurred shortly after the cohort was vaccinated. The study data also suggest that varicella vaccination may reduce the risks of HZ in vaccinated children. Read more at Pediatrics.
Association Between Guillain-Barré Syndrome and Influenza A (H1N1) 2009 Monovalent Vaccine Published in the Lancet
On March 13, The Lancet published an article titled, Association between Guillain-Barré syndrome and influenza A (H1N1) 2009 monovalent inactivated vaccines in the USA: a meta-analysis. The CDC has developed key messages summarizing the report for your use and understanding.
2013-2014 Influenza Vaccines
The World Health Organization and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's Vaccines and Related Biological Products Advisory Committee (VRBPAC) have announced their recommendations for the vaccine viruses to be included in the 2013-2014 influenza vaccines. The recommendations again include a fourth vaccine virus component as an option for manufacturers that choose to produce a quadrivalent vaccine.The recommended vaccine virus for the influenza A H1N1 component remains the same. The recommended A(H3N2) and B components have been updated. These are:
- An A/California/7/2009 (H1N1) pdm09-like virus (this is unchanged; manufacturers can use the same vaccine candidate viruses to produce vaccine for the upcoming season),
- An A(H3N2) virus antigenically similar to thecell-propagated or cell-grown A/Victoria/361/2011 (H3N2)-like virus (this is an update from last season's vaccine; manufacturers will need to change the vaccine virus candidate)
- A B/Massachusetts/2/2012-like virus (Yamagata lineage; this is a different virus, however it is related to and antigenically similar to the 2012-2013 influenza B component; manufacturers will need to change the vaccine virus candidate).
Visit www.cdc.gov/flu/professionals/vaccination/virusqa.htm for information about the process used to select the vaccine viruses for the seasonal flu vaccine.
2-D Barcode Pilot Testing: New Orleans, LA, on April 14-15, 2013
Two-dimensional barcodes present a fantastic opportunity for creating and storing information that can improve management of immunization programs in the public and private sectors. A forum describing the results of a national pilot test of this technology will be held in New Orleans, LA, on April 14-15, 2013. The forum will describe the experience and lessons learned by ten state/large city immunization program grantees, more than 200 provider sites, and two vaccine manufacturers. Attendees will have access to: 1)presentations on 2D vaccine barcode progress, 2) panel discussions by pilot participants, 3) interactive discussions on implementing 2D vaccine barcodes-opportunities, challenges, and implications, and 4) demos by scanner vendors. We encourage all those in the immunization community to attend to learn about the experience and the implications for your office, business and practice. For more details and advance registration, please visit www.2dbarcodepilot.com/educational_forum.
CDC Releases New Whooping Cough Infographic
Pertussis spiked to nearly a 60-year high last year with more than 41,000 cases in the U.S. CDC has released a colorful new infographic to put on websites and promote via social media. CDC also has developed a comprehensive web feature for pertussis.
CDC Launches New Vaccine Resources
The CDC recently launched new English-language materials to educate parents of children younger than two about vaccine-preventable diseases and childhood vaccines. These resources include videos and PSAs. Health departments, coalitions, healthcare providers and other organizations are encouraged to link to these materials from their websites and promote them to constituents and parents. The animated PSAs can also be offered to local media outlets.
Article on Billing Practices of LHDs During the 2009 Pandemic Influenza
A 2013 article in the Journal of Public Health Management and Practice by Megan Lindley, MPH related to the billing practices of LHDs that provided the 2009 H1N1 vaccine.
NACCHO Supports CMS Medicaid Bump to LHDs
NACCHO, ASTHO, and AIM sent a letter to Secretary Sebelius and the Department of Health and Human Services to urge that public health department clinics that meet criteria specified in CMS-2370-F be considered eligible for increased reimbursement during 2013 and 2014 for primary care services provided to Medicaid beneficiaries.
2013 Immunization Schedules are Available
The 2013 recommended immunization schedules for children and adolescents (birth through 18 years) and adults (19 years old and older) are now available online in the January 28 CDC''s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR) Supplement.
For Parent: Vaccines for Your Children Infographic
The CDC developed an easy to read infographic for parents describing the journey of childhood vaccines. The infographic explains the vaccine development and testing, the childhood immunization schedule, and how the CDC monitors vaccine safety.
IOM Report, Childhood Vaccination Schedule Found To Be Safe
The Institute of Medicine (IOM) report entitled "The Childhood Immunization Schedule and Safety: Stakeholder Concerns, Scientific Evidence, and Future Studies," was published on January 16, 2013. This report determined that the childhood vaccination schedule is safe and it is not linked to developmental disorders. The report brief and full report can be found online here.
Study on State Law, Influenza Vaccination & Healthcare Personnel: Update
A presentation from Alexandra Stewart, from The George Washington University, on how state laws address mandatory influenza vaccinations for HCPs, recommendations and model language, and what legal environment is needed to encourage flu vaccinations for all HCPs.
AAP: Recommendation of WHO Strategic Advisory Group of Experts (SAGE) on Immunization The American Academy of Pediatrics endorsed the recommendation of the World Health Organization''s Strategic Advisory Group of Experts (SAGE) on Immunization pertaining to the use of thimerosal in vaccines.
CDC Provider Resources for Vaccine and Immunizations
Provider Resources for Vaccine Conversations are updated regularly to reflect the most current information available about vaccines, vaccine safety, and vaccine-preventable diseases. CDC recently reviewed and updated (when necessary) the Understanding Vaccines and Vaccine Safety series of fact sheets.
Joint Commission and Healthcare Worker Vaccination Against Influenza
Joint Commission Adds Additional Weight to Importance of Healthcare Worker Vaccination Against Influenza is an article on the Infection Control Today website that discusses the Joint Commission''s recent progress in the area of healthcare worker vaccination against influenza. The Joint Commission now requires healthcare organizations to establish an annual influenza vaccination program for staff.
Vaccine Confidence Project
The Vaccine Confidence Project has been formed to build a multi-disciplinary network of biomedical scientists, decision scientists, psychologists, and social scientists to examine the influences and decision-making processes of individuals around the world, as they decide whether to vaccinate or not. Its goal is to improve dialogue and understanding across different perspectives on vaccines to inform immunization policies, programs and ultimately benefit public health. On the website you will also find details of the project''s activities, published papers and a selected round up of vaccination news stories from across the world.
Provider Resources for Vaccine Conversations with Parents
Provider Resources for Vaccine Conversations with Parents are updated regularly to reflect the most current information available about vaccines, vaccine safety, and vaccine-preventable diseases. CDC recently reviewed and updated (when necessary) the Understanding Vaccines and Vaccine Safety series of fact sheets.
Adult Hepatitis B Immunization Toolkit Now Available
Local Public Health Applications for Implementing Adult Hepatitis B Virus Vaccination Initiatives contains: 1) case studies and key lessons learned from local health departments (LHDs) and their partners, 2) tools that LHDS and partners can download and modify for their own use, and 3) general resources to assist LHDs and their partners administer hepatitis B vaccine to high-risk adults through new services or through program/service integration.
