(2 of 13)
January 21, 2005
CDC PUBLISHES HEPATITIS A AND HEPATITIS E INFORMATION FOR TSUNAMI SURVIVORS

CDC's Division of Viral Hepatitis has produced two one-page fact sheets for tsunami survivors.

"Hepatitis A Information Specific for Tsunami Survivors" is targeted toward the public, and includes five simple questions and answers.

To download this document in ready-to-print (PDF) format, go to:
http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/diseases/hepatitis/a/hav_tsunami.pdf

"Hepatitis E Information Specific for Tsunami Survivors" is a similar Q & A piece about the hepatitis E virus.

To download this document in ready-to-print (PDF) format, go to:
http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/diseases/hepatitis/e/hev_fact_tsunami.pdf
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(3 of 13)
January 21, 2005
CDC LAUNCHES WEB PAGE DEVOTED TO PERINATAL HEPATITIS B INFORMATION AND RESOURCES

CDC's National Immunization Program (NIP) has recently added a web page of perinatal hepatitis B information to its website. The new section features pertinent brochures, flyers, slide sets, and websites for parents, healthcare professionals, and state hepatitis B coordinators.

The new web page also includes a link to 2003 National Immunization Survey (NIS) data, which includes the 2003 birth dose data.

Visit this valuable new resource at
http://www.cdc.gov/nip/diseases/hepB/pubs_other.htm
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(4 of 13)
January 21, 2005
NEW: PKIDS LAUNCHES LISTSERVS FOR KIDS WITH HEPATITIS C AND B

[The following is cross posted from the Immunization Action Coalition's "IAC EXPRESS" electronic newsletter, 1/10/05]

Thanks to PKIDs, children and teens living with hepatitis C or B now have their own Internet listservs, giving them a chance to "talk" with other infected youth from around the United States and the world. The two listservs, one for children ages 8 to 12 and one for teens ages 13 to 19, are designed to allow youth the freedom to speak from their hearts. To help ensure a safe environment, the lists are moderated and there are no identifiers for those posting to the lists.

PKIDs (Parents of Kids with Infectious Diseases) is a national nonprofit organization serving families of children infected with chronic viral hepatitis and HIV/AIDS.

To access the listservs, go to: http://www.pkids.org/listserv.htm and click on the appropriate link.
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(5 of 13)
January 21, 2005
CDC, AAP, AND AAFP RELEASE THE RECOMMENDED CHILDHOOD AND ADOLESCENT IMMUNIZATION SCHEDULE FOR 2005

CDC, AAP, and AAFP have endorsed and jointly released the Recommended Childhood and Adolescent Immunization Schedule--United States, 2005.

To access a two-page or a four-page ready-to-print (PDF) version of the Recommended Childhood and Adolescent Immunization Schedule--United States, 2005, go to:
http://www.cdc.gov/nip/recs/child-schedule.htm#Printable
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(6 of 13)
January 21, 2005
SUMMER CAMP FOR KIDS WITH HEPATITIS--SEND FOR AN APPLICATION BEFORE JANUARY 31

[The following is cross posted from the Immunization Action Coalition's "IAC EXPRESS" electronic newsletter, 1/10/05]

Children with hepatitis B or C will have a chance to attend camp this summer at two of the top U.S. medical camps, thanks to the national nonprofit organization PKIDs (Parents of Kids with Infectious Diseases) and Paul Newman's Association of Hole In The Wall Gang Camps.

PKIDs, which supports families touched by viral hepatitis and HIV/AIDS, has acquired a number of slots for children with chronic hepatitis B or C at camps in upstate New York (Double "H" Hole in the Woods Ranch in Lake Luzerne) and Florida (Boggy Creek Gang Camp in Eustis). The camps specialize in providing a fun, traditional summer camp experience for children and teens with medical needs.

Children must be between the ages of 6 and 16 and must be receiving medical treatment of any kind. PKIDs and the camps will pay travel and camp costs for qualified children--the families pay nothing. Any parent, caretaker, physician, or healthcare worker interested in sending a child to either camp should contact PKIDs for an application BEFORE JANUARY 31. Contact PKIDs by email at pkids@pkids.org or by phone at (877) 557-5437.

PKIDs is also seeking donations to help pay the costs of sending children to the two camps. If you are interested in sponsoring a child at camp, please email or call PKIDs at the email address or phone number above.

For more information, call PKIDs at (360) 695-0293 or go to http://www.pkids.org

To visit the website of the Double "H" Hole in the Woods Ranch, go to:
http://www.doublehranch.org

To visit the website of the Boggy Creek Gang Camp, go to:
http://www.boggycreek.org
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(7 of 13)
January 21, 2005
AAP WEBSITE POSTS AN OVERVIEW OF CHANGES IN VACCINATION ADMINISTRATION PROCEDURE CODES AND THEIR VALUATION FOR 2005

On January 5, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) posted on its website the eight-page document Comprehensive Overview: Immunization Administration 2005. The document describes the eight immunization administration CPT codes [current procedural terminology codes] now available; included in the eight codes are four new codes. It also presents a series of questions and answers that explain how to use the codes.

To obtain the Comprehensive Overview: Immunization Administration 2005 from the AAP website, go to:
http://www.aap.org/visit/ImmunizationAdmin2005.doc
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(8 of 13)
January 21, 2005
IAC UPDATES VIRAL HEPATITIS EDUCATION PIECES

As part of IAC's ongoing quality assurance, several print pieces related to viral hepatitis were recently reviewed for accuracy.

The following pieces were updated:

"States Report Hundreds of Medical Errors in Perinatal Hepatitis B Prevention"
Text (HTML) format: http://www.immunize.org/catg.d/p2062.htm
Ready-to-print (PDF) format: http://www.immunize.org/catg.d/p2062.pdf

"Unprotected Babies: Two more infants chronically infected with hepatitis B virus . . . the medical errors continue"
Text (HTML) format: http://www.immunize.org/catg.d/p2127.htm
Ready-to-print (PDF) format: http://www.immunize.org/catg.d/p2127.pdf

"Management of Chronic Hepatitis B in Adults" by Brian J. McMahon, M.D.
Text (HTML) format: http://www.immunize.org/catg.d/p2161.htm
Ready-to-print (PDF) format: http://www.immunize.org/catg.d/p2161.pdf

"Every day, teens are infected with hepatitis B"
Text (HTML) format: http://www.immunize.org/catg.d/p4100tee.htm
Ready-to-print (PDF) format: http://www.immunize.org/catg.d/p4100tee.pdf

The following pieces were reviewed and left unchanged:

"Hepatitis B and the Health Care Worker"
Text (HTML) format: http://www.immunize.org/catg.d/2109hcw.htm
Ready-to-print (PDF) format: http://www.immunize.org/catg.d/2109hcw.pdf

"Hospitals & Doctors Sued for Failing to Protect Newborns from Hepatitis B Virus Transmission"
Text (HTML) format: http://www.immunize.org/catg.d/p2061.htm
Ready-to-print (PDF) format: http://www.immunize.org/catg.d/p2061.pdf

"If you have chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection..."
Text (HTML) format: http://www.immunize.org/catg.d/p4120.htm
Ready-to-print (PDF) format: http://www.immunize.org/catg.d/p4120eng.pdf
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(9 of 13)
January 21, 2005
DHHS ANNOUNCES AVAILABILITY OF FUNDS FOR PREVENTION OF SUBSTANCE ABUSE, HIV, AND HEPATITIS IN MINORITY POPULATIONS

The Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, Center for Substance Abuse Prevention, has announced a Request for Application (RFA) for a new cooperative agreement.

The funding is intended for programs preventing substance abuse, HIV, and hepatitis in minority populations and minority reentry populations in communities of color. Eligibility is limited to community-level domestic public and private nonprofit entities from geographic areas with high AIDS case rates.

Of note, the program announcement does allow for screening for substance abuse, hepatitis and HIV; substance abuse, HIV, and hepatitis education and prevention intervention; and referral for medical services; however, funds are not to be used for hepatitis A or hepatitis B immunization.

Interested candidates should review the entire program announcement carefully. Applications are due by March 17, 2005.

To access PA 05-001 (Request for Applications (RFA) for Substance Abuse (SA), HIV, & Hepatitis Prevention for Minority Populations and Minority Reentry Populations in Communities of Color ), go to:
http://www.samhsa.gov/grants/2005/nofa/sp05001_HIV.aspx
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(10 of 13)
January 21, 2005
ACT SOON: JANUARY 28 IS THE DEADLINE FOR NIC'S EARLY-BIRD REGISTRATION

[The following is cross posted from the Immunization Action Coalition's "IAC EXPRESS" electronic newsletter, 01/10/05.]

Scheduled for March 21-24 in Washington, DC, this year's National Immunization Conference (NIC) is a must-attend event. Register by January 28, and attend all four days for only $150.The conference's primary goals are to help participants provide comprehensive immunization coverage for all age groups and to explore innovative strategies for developing programs, policy, and research that promote such coverage. Plenary sessions and workshops will include presentations on the following topics: childhood, adolescent, and adult immunization; vaccine safety; new vaccines and vaccine development; cultural diversity; policy and legislation; immunization registries; and more.

Opportunities for networking and socializing include the welcoming continental breakfast, Hilleman lecture and reception, daily fitness events, and lunch rounds. In addition, the exhibit hall and poster-viewing space will be open to attendees for two days.

For comprehensive information about the conference, including the draft conference agenda, online registration, and accommodation information, go to: http://www.cdc.gov/nip/nic

For additional information, contact the conference planning team by phone at (404) 639-8225 or by email at NIPNIC@cdc.gov
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(11 of 13)
January 21, 2005
REGISTRATION OPENS JANUARY 19 FOR CDC'S SATELLITE BROADCAST ON EPIDEMIOLOGY & PREVENTION OF VACCINE PREVENTABLE DISEASES

[The following is cross posted from the Immunization Action Coalition's "IAC EXPRESS" electronic newsletter, 01/18/05.]

The CDC website now has updated information on the satellite broadcast of Epidemiology & Prevention of Vaccine-Preventable Diseases, a live interactive program offered by NIP. Online registration for continuing education credit will open on January 19 (details are at the end of this article).

Presented in four sessions, the course will be held on consecutive Thursdays: February 17 and 14, and March 3 and 10. All sessions will be broadcast from 12 noon ET to 3:30PM ET.

In addition to online registration information, the updated information includes the following (taken from the course overview at http://www.phppo.cdc.gov/phtn/epv05/default.asp). The four-session outline: Session One will cover principles of vaccination, general recommendations on immunization, vaccine safety, storage and handling, and vaccine administration. Session Two will cover pertussis, pneumococcal disease (childhood), polio, and Hib. Session Three will cover measles, rubella, varicella, smallpox and meningococcal disease. Session Four will cover hepatitis B, hepatitis A, influenza, and pneumococcal disease (adult).

The faculty: William Atkinson, MD, MPH; Andrew Kroger, MD, MPH; Judy Schmidt, RN, EdD; Donna Weaver, MN, RN. All are with NIP; additional presenters will include other CDC experts.

An outline of resources for each session: Developed for the program when it was broadcast in 2004, the resources are relevant for the 2005 broadcasts. To access them, go to: http://www.cdc.gov/nip/ed/EpiVacLinks.htm

REGISTRATION
Before accessing the online registration form, go to the course overview at http://www.phppo.cdc.gov/phtn/epv05/default.asp Scroll down to the section headed Registration Information and get the course number for the webcast(s) or broadcasts(s) of interest. Proceed to online registration at http://www.phppo.cdc.gov/phtnonline

If you have registration questions, email ce@cdc.gov or phone (800) 418-7246.

For other questions, email nipinfo@cdc.gov

In the coming weeks, IAC EXPRESS will keep you updated on a range of information about the course. To access course information from the January 10 issue of IAC EXPRESS, go to: http://www.immunize.org/genr.d/issue503.htm#n2
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(12 of 13)
January 21, 2005
AASLD SCHEDULES SINGLE TOPIC CONFERENCE FOR MARCH 4-5, IN CHICAGO

The American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases (AASLD) is sponsoring a Single Topic Conference titled "Hepatitis C Virus Infection: Pathobiology and Implications for New Therapeutic Options." The conference will take place in Chicago on March 4-5, 2005.

For more information, visit the AASLD website at http://www.aasld.org or download a conference brochure at https://www.aasld.org/eweb/docs/meetings/Hep_C.pdf
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(13 of 13)
January 21, 2005
VHPB POSTS PRESENTATIONS FROM NOVEMBER MEETING ON WEBSITE

The Viral Hepatitis Prevention Board (VHPB) website has been updated to include information from the VHPB meeting of November 18-19, in Veyrier-Du-Lac, France. The following topics were covered during the meeting: 1. Update of the epidemiological situation on viral hepatitis in France; 2. Overview of surveillance systems for infectious diseases and adverse events following vaccination in France; 3. Overview of the research activities on viral hepatitis in France; 4. Evaluation of current prevention and control measures on viral hepatitis in France; 5. Lessons learnt from the experience in France: successes, problems, and barriers to overcome, and the way forward.

The meeting program, the pre-meeting document, and all of the presentations made at "Prevention and Control of Viral Hepatitis in France: Lessons Learnt and the Way Forward" are available on the VHPB website at http://www.vhpb.org