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December 14, 2004
FORMER SURGEON GENERAL DR. JOCELYN ELDERS SPEARHEADS NATIONAL HEPATITIS A AWARENESS CAMPAIGN

[The following is cross posted from the Immunization Action Coalition's "IAC EXPRESS" electronic newsletter, 12/13/04.]

In association with the National Partnership for Immunization (NPI), Former Surgeon General Dr. Jocelyn Elders is leading "This 'A' Can Spell Danger to Your Child," a national hepatitis A awareness campaign. The timing of the campaign coincides with the one-year anniversary of the largest hepatitis A outbreak in U.S. history. The outbreak occurred when green onions contaminated with the hepatitis A virus sickened 600 people in Pittsburgh, leading to the deaths of three.

The hepatitis A vaccine provides protection against the disease, which infects almost 100,000 Americans each year. Expanding the childhood immunization requirements for hepatitis A could reduce the incidence of the disease.

For further information about the campaign, go to:
http://www.partnersforimmunization.org/spelldanger.html

For links to information about hepatitis A disease and vaccine,
go to: http://www.partnersforimmunization.org/hepatitisa.html
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December 14, 2004
NEW: CDC ISSUES ADULT IMMUNIZATION SCHEDULE FOR OCTOBER 2004—SEPTEMBER 2005

[The following is cross posted from the Immunization Action Coalition's "IAC EXPRESS" electronic newsletter, 11/22/04.]

CDC published "Recommended Adult Immunization Schedule--United States, October 2004-September 2005" as an MMWR QuickGuide in the November 19 issue of MMWR. The article is reprinted below in its entirety, excluding references and two figures.

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CDC's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) annually reviews the recommended Adult Immunization Schedule to ensure that the schedule reflects current recommendations for the use of licensed vaccines. In June 2004, ACIP approved the Adult Immunization Schedule for October 2004-September 2005. This schedule has also been approved by the American Academy of Family Physicians and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.

Changes in the Schedule for October 2004-September 2005

The 2004-2005 schedule differs from the previous schedule as follows:

• Both figures now provide a separate row for each vaccine.
• Healthcare workers have been added to the figure that provides immunization recommendations by medical indications and other conditions.
• The special note regarding influenza vaccination of pregnant women reflects the revised ACIP recommendations that all pregnant women should receive influenza vaccination regardless of preexisting chronic conditions.

Healthcare workers were added to the Adult Immunization Schedule in response to provider requests; this change should facilitate assessment of the vaccination status of healthcare workers and administration of needed vaccinations. In 2002, 38.4% of healthcare workers reported influenza vaccination, and 62.3% reported having completed hepatitis B vaccination series (National Health Interview Survey, CDC, unpublished data, 2003). Influenza vaccination of healthcare workers is an important preventive measure for persons at high risk for complications from influenza infection. Healthcare workers involved in direct patient care are among the priority groups recommended to receive influenza vaccination for the 2004-05 influenza season, despite the vaccine shortage.

The Adult Immunization Schedule is available in English and Spanish at http://www.cdc.gov/nip/recs/adult-schedule.htm [IAC EXPRESS editor's note: According to recent information from NIP, the Adult Immunization Schedule will be available in English at the above web address in late November and will be available in Spanish in late January 2005.] General information about adult immunization, including recommendations concerning vaccination of persons with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and other immunosuppressive conditions, is available from state and local health departments and from the National Immunization Program at http://www.cdc.gov/nip Vaccine information statements are available at http://www.cdc.gov/nip/publications/vis ACIP statements for each recommended vaccine can be viewed, downloaded, and printed from CDC's National Immunization Program at http://www.cdc.gov/nip/publications/acip-list.htm Instructions for reporting adverse events after vaccination to the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS) are available at http://www.vaers.org or by telephone, (800) 822-7967.

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Click here to access a web-text (HTML) version of the complete article.

To access a ready-to-copy (PDF) version of this issue of MMWR, go to:
http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/PDF/wk/mm5345.pdf Adobe Acrobat 6.0 is required to open this file.

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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December 14, 2004
PLAN AHEAD: USE YOUR YEAR-END DOLLARS TO STOCK UP ON ESSENTIAL IMMUNIZATION RESOURCES FOR 2005--OR TO CONTRIBUTE TO IAC

[The following is cross posted from the Immunization Action Coalition's "IAC EXPRESS" electronic newsletter, 11/17/04.]

Does it look like your department or organization will be unable to use up its annual budget by the end of the year? If so, the Immunization Action Coalition (IAC) suggests you use your year-end dollars NOW to place an order for bulk quantities of essential immunization resources you'll need in 2005.

In the past several years, IAC has shipped more than two million items to providers around the world. Some of the most popular items include the following: (1) the Adults Only Vaccination kit (2) the video "Immunization Techniques: Safe, Effective, Caring," (3) Adult Immunization Record Cards, and (4) the Slide Set of Vaccine-Preventable Diseases.

Order these popular items in bulk, and you'll receive substantial discounts. Also, please note there is no shipping charge for small orders shipped by fourth-class mail within the United States. In addition, with a contribution of $75 or more, you'll receive a CD of more than 150 of IAC's most popular print pieces (for information, see the CONTRIBUTE $75 OR MORE section toward the end of this article).


ADULTS ONLY VACCINATION KIT
The heart of the kit is the 157-page guide, "Adults Only Vaccination: A Step-by-Step Guide." This comprehensive resource includes practical information on ALL aspects of adult immunization. It presents clear, authoritative, CDC-reviewed material on administering adult vaccines, educating patients about them, billing for them, and much more. It is indispensable for any setting where adults are immunized, such as STD clinics, family planning clinics, college health services, OB/GYN practices, and prisons. In addition, the kit includes two "how-to" instructional videos: Immunization Techniques: Safe, Effective, Caring (described below) and CDC's new "How to Protect Your Vaccine Supply." IF YOU VACCINATE ADULTS, YOU CAN'T AFFORD TO BE WITHOUT THE KIT!

For comprehensive information about the kit--including a look at the guide's many worksheets, checklists, protocols, and educational materials--visit IAC's website at http://www.immunize.org/guide

$75 per kit; special discount pricing is available for orders of 10 copies or more. To order online or by fax or mail, using a credit card, purchase order, or check, go to: http://www.immunize.org/guide/index.htm#order Click on the appropriate link.


IMMUNIZATION TECHNIQUES VIDEO
You can ensure your staff has expertise in administering vaccines by ordering and showing them the video "Immunization Techniques: Safe, Effective, Caring." Developed by the California Department of Health Services Immunization Branch and a team of national experts, the 35-minute video presents abundant practical information on vaccinating people of all ages. An excellent tool for training new staff and refreshing the skills of experienced staff, the video comes with presenter notes and a skills checklist. $30 each; discounts for orders of 20 or more--please call (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


ADULT IMMUNIZATION RECORD CARDS
Invaluable for educating adults that immunization is a lifelong process, the card lists seven vaccines for adults. Use the card during patient visits to discuss a patient's vaccination status with them; then give it to them and encourage them to put it in their wallet and use it to keep track of their next vaccination due date. Printed on smudge-proof, rip-proof, waterproof paper, the card is intended for lifelong use.

To view a color image of IAC's Adult Immunization Record Card, go to: http://www.immunize.org/adultizcards/pictures.htm

The cost for one 250-count box is $30; two boxes (500 cards), $55; three boxes (750 cards), $75; four boxes (1,000 cards), $90. Additional pricing for larger quantities can be found on the online order form (see the link below). Discounts for orders of more than 50,000 cards--please call (651) 647-9009.

To order IAC's Adult Immunization Record Cards online (including online with a purchase order), go to:
https://www.immunize.org/adultizcards

To order cards by mail or fax, please read the ORDERING BY MAIL
OR FAX section at the end of this article.


SLIDE SET OF VACCINE-PREVENTABLE DISEASES
This powerful visual aid is intended for clinic staff and community outreach workers who make immunization presentations. It includes 28 color slides of children and adults with vaccine-preventable diseases. When you show your patients a picture of an infant with severe varicella disease or other infections, they will begin to understand the seriousness of the diseases that vaccines can prevent. Each riveting image is easily worth more than a thousand words.

To assist you with slide presentations, an English-language script is included. A Spanish-language script is available on request. $25 per set.

To order a Slide Set online, go to:
https://www.immunize.org/slideset/order_slideset.htm

To obtain the English-language script, go to:
http://www.immunize.org/catg.d/3010slid.pdf

To obtain the Spanish-language script, go to:
http://www.immunize.org/catg.d/3010-01.pdf

To order a Slide Set by mail or fax, please read the ORDERING BY MAIL OR FAX section at the end of this article.

CONTRIBUTE $75 OR MORE, AND RECEIVE A CD OF ESSENTIAL IMMUNIZATION INFORMATION, INCLUDING CURRENT VERSIONS OF ALL IAC'S PRINT PIECES IN ENGLISH AND MANY IN SPANISH--MORE THAN 150 PIECES IN ALL!
Written for staff, parents, and patients, these pieces are CDC reviewed and continually updated, making them resources you can use and distribute with confidence. In addition, the CD includes all federal Vaccine Information Statements--in English AND Spanish.

As a special thank-you for your contribution of $75 or more, IAC will also send you the following: (1) a set of our 15 most popular print pieces, such as the "Summary of Rules for Childhood and Adolescent Immunization" and the "Summary of Recommendations for Adult Immunization," (2) a year's subscription to one of our print publications (NEEDLE TIPS, VACCINATE ADULTS, or VACCINATE WOMEN), and (3) a colorful IAC mousepad (while supplies last).

To contribute online, go to: https://www.immunize.org/join


ORDERING BY MAIL OR FAX
To order by mail or fax, print and fill out an IAC order form, available at http://www.immunize.org/catalog

MAIL YOUR ORDER FORM with payment information (a check made out to Immunization Action Coalition, credit card information, or purchase order) to Immunization Action Coalition, 1573 Selby Ave., Ste. 234, St. Paul, MN 55104. Please include your complete mailing information and daytime phone number.

FAX YOUR ORDER FORM with payment information (credit card information or purchase order) to IAC at (651) 647-9131.

SHIPPING IS FREE for small orders sent by fourth-class mail to addresses in the United States. Please allow 3-4 weeks for delivery of your order.

TO PLACE AN ORDER FROM OUTSIDE THE UNITED STATES, please call IAC at (651) 647-9009 for shipping cost information or email us at admin@immunize.org (no phone orders, please).
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December 14, 2004
HEPATITIS B FOUNDATION PUBLISHES FALL 2004 ISSUE OF "B INFORMED"

The Fall 2004 issue of "B Informed," the newsletter of the Hepatitis B Foundation (HBF), includes many articles of interest. The issue includes a summary of the 4th Annual B-Informed Patient Conference held in June, an article about HBF's new partnerships with the University of Oxford and Drexel University of Philadelphia, tips for being a proactive patient, and more.

The current issue of "B Informed," as well as archived issues, can be read or downloaded at no charge from the HBF website at http://www.hepb.org/02-0107.hepb To receive "B Informed" through the U.S. mail, please send your name and full address to info@hepb.org and HBF will add your name to their confidential mailing list.

The HBF website offers many other resources, including the continually updated "HBF Drug Watch." To access the home page of this informative site, go to: http://www.hepb.org
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December 14, 2004
FIND CLINICAL TRIAL INFORMATION ONLINE

If you're looking for viral hepatitis clinical trial information, go to http://www.clinicaltrials.gov This resource is a service of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and is managed by the National Library of Medicine.

ClinicalTrials.gov provides information about federally and privately supported clinical research in human volunteers. You can find information about a trial's purpose, participant qualifications, location, and contact information on this website.
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December 14, 2004
IAC UPDATES TWO PATIENT-EDUCATION PIECES

IAC recently updated two of its parent-education pieces.

(1) IAC made minor revisions to the one-page piece "Hepatitis B Vaccine Is Imperative for Families Adopting from Abroad." Written by a pediatrician who specializes in adoption medicine, the piece stresses the need for families undertaking international adoption to be vaccinated against hepatitis B and explains some of the issues involved in adopting a child chronically infected with hepatitis B virus.

To access a ready-to-print (PDF) version of the revised piece, go to:
http://www.immunize.org/catg.d/4153adop.pdf

To access a web-text (HTML) version of it, go to:
http://www.immunize.org/catg.d/4153adop.htm

(2) IAC updated its one-page parent-education piece "Immunizations for Babies." The piece presents a simple-to-follow chart of the vaccinations babies need in their first 23 months; it has been reformatted and updated to add influenza vaccine.

To access a ready-to-copy (PDF) version of the updated piece, go to:
http://www.immunize.org/catg.d/p4010imm.pdf

To access a web-text (HTML) version, go to:
http://www.immunize.org/catg.d/p4010.htm
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December 14, 2004
ACCESS AASLD CONFERENCE PRESENTATIONS ONLINE

On October 29-November 2, the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases (AASLD) hosted the 55th Annual Liver Meeting in Boston. You can access presentations from this conference on hepatitis B treatment, liver transplantation, liver cancer, public policy, and co-infection issues online.

The HBV Advocate offers AASLD presentations in text format on their website. Click here to view the documents.

HIVandHepatitis.com also provides selected highlights from the AASLD conference at
http://www.hivandhepatitis.com/2004icr/aasld/main.html