(2 of 11)
April 15, 2005
MAY IS NATIONAL HEPATITIS AWARENESS MONTH

May has been designated National Hepatitis Awareness Month, a time to educate the public, members of the media, elected officials, and healthcare professionals about viral hepatitis.

Beginning in May, visit the Division of Viral Hepatitis website at http://www.cdc.gov/hepatitis to view information regarding activities planned for this occasion.
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(3 of 11)
April 15, 2005
NEW: THE CDC-INFO CONTACT CENTER NOW ANSWERS PHONE-IN IMMUNIZATION QUESTIONS; VISs ARE CHANGED ACCORDINGLY

[The following is cross posted from the Immunization Action Coalition's "IAC EXPRESS" electronic newsletter, 03/21/05.]

Effective March 15, a new service, the CDC-INFO Contact Center, began answering immunization questions placed by phone from the public and health professionals. Previously, the National Immunization Information Hotline answered phone-in immunization questions.

The new contact center phone number is (800) 232-4636 (i.e., [800] CDC-INFO). Both English- and Spanish-speaking callers can get information from the contact center; the first message callers hear is the option to select English or Spanish. For the next few months, calls placed to the old hotline number will roll over to the new contact center number. NIP staff is still answering email immunization questions sent to nipinfo@cdc.gov

PLEASE NOTE: The new contact center service is not dedicated to immunization; it is an integrated CDC hotline service that answers questions on many topics. Callers to the contact center will pick among several options, one of which is immunization.

HOTLINE NUMBER CHANGES ON VISs
All VISs that contained the old hotline number have been changed to show the new contact center number. The change was made to VISs in the section titled "How Can I Learn More?" The VIS dates have not changed; the only change is to the telephone number. Because the new contact center service will handle calls made to the old hotline number for a few months, there is no need to discard stocks of VISs that have the old number.

To access English-language VISs updated with the new contact center number, go to:
http://www.cdc.gov/nip/publications/VIS/default.htm

To access updated VISs in English and 31 additional languages, go to IAC's VIS web section at http://www.immunize.org/vis

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GRATITUDE FOR THE NATIONAL IMMUNIZATION INFORMATION HOTLINE
Operated since 1997 by the American Social Health Association of Research Triangle Park, NC, the National Immunization Information Hotline earned the respect and praise of Dr. William L. Atkinson. In speaking about the hotline, Atkinson, a medical epidemiologist with NIP, said the following:

"I have personally worked with the hotline supervisors and staff almost continuously since the beginning. Together we have worked through vaccine shortages, new vaccines, anthrax, smallpox, thimerosal, hurricanes, snowstorms, blackouts, and many other immunization crises. The hotline supervisors and staff, past and present, always rose to the challenges we faced. They have been a trusted source of immunization information for both the public and providers. I am proud to have had the opportunity to work with such a fine group of people. I know I speak for all of us at the National Immunization Program when I thank the National Immunization Information Hotline and the American Social Health Association for their service to this country. We wish them success in their post-hotline endeavors."

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(4 of 11)
April 15, 2005
NATIONAL VIRAL HEPATITIS PREVENTION CONFERENCE ABSTRACTS DUE MAY 27

Abstracts are being solicited for presentation at the National Viral Hepatitis Prevention Conference, which will be held December 5-9, 2005, in Washington, D.C.

The theme for the conference is "Viral Hepatitis Prevention at All Stages of Life." Presentations will be organized into the following six tracks:

1. Perinatal and infant hepatitis B prevention
2. Viral hepatitis prevention for children
3. Viral hepatitis prevention for adolescents/high-risk youth
4. Viral hepatitis prevention for adults; delivering, implementing, and evaluating prevention and control strategies and services
5. Education, training, and outreach for viral hepatitis prevention and control
6. Other/cross cutting: hepatitis prevention and control

Abstract submission deadline is Friday, May 27, 2005, midnight Pacific Time.

For more information, visit the conference website at http://www.nvhpc.com
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(5 of 11)
April 15, 2005
NASTAD'S APRIL "HIV PREVENTION BULLETIN" FOCUSES ON HEPATITIS

The April 2005 issue of the "HIV Prevention Bulletin" published by NASTAD (National Alliance of State and Territorial AIDS Directors) focuses on integrating viral hepatitis prevention services into HIV/AIDS programs.

The introduction states: "Over the past several years, hepatitis A, B, and C have received growing attention, as health department HIV/AIDS programs and HIV prevention and care community-based organizations (CBOs) learn that their clients also are at risk of or infected with viral hepatitis. Current estimates suggest that at least 4 million Americans have ever been infected with hepatitis C, 2.7 million are chronically infected, and at least 25% of persons living with HIV/AIDS are co-infected with the disease. Further, hepatitis C related complications are now emerging as the leading cause of death among persons living with HIV/AIDS. Periodic outbreaks of hepatitis A and B virus infections have also served as a reminder that men who have sex with men (MSM), drug users, persons with multiple sex partners, and persons with a history of STDs are at risk of infection from these vaccine-preventable diseases. . . Despite the limitations of federal resources, health departments, national organizations, and CBOs are working together to address viral hepatitis in their communities."

The issue highlights five programs demonstrating "collaboration in action," and provides information on advocacy, treatment, resources, conferences, and more.

To read the April "HIV Prevention Bulletin," click here.

The "HIV Prevention Bulletin" is free and often includes information about viral hepatitis in groups at risk. To receive this electronic publication, please send an email to: nastad@nastad.org

Please provide your name, position, agency, address, email address, and phone number.
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(6 of 11)
April 15, 2005
IAC UPDATES MULTIPLE PRINT PIECES RELATED TO VIRAL HEPATITIS

IAC recently updated several of its print pieces, primarily to take into account the recently licensed treatment option, entecavir. Following is a list of pieces updated in April 2005.

(1) "Hepatitis A, B, and C: Learn the Differences"

To access a ready-to-print (PDF) version, go to:
http://www.immunize.org/catg.d/p4075abc.pdf

To access a web-text (HTML) version, go to:
http://www.immunize.org/catg.d/p4075abc.htm

(2) "If you have chronic hepatitis B (HBV) infection... "

To access a ready-to-print (PDF) version, go to:
http://www.immunize.org/catg.d/p4120eng.pdf

To access a web-text (HTML) version, go to:
http://www.immunize.org/catg.d/p4120.htm

(3) "Management of Chronic Hepatitis B Infection in Adults" by Brian McMahon, MD

To access a ready-to-print (PDF) version, go to:
http://www.immunize.org/catg.d/p2161.pdf

To access a web-text (HTML) version, go to:
http://www.immunize.org/catg.d/p2161.htm

(4) "What the Physician Can Do to Help the Child with Chronic Hepatitis B Virus Infection" by Sarah Jane Schwarzenberg, MD

To access a ready-to-print (PDF) version, go to:
http://www.immunize.org/catg.d/p2170sjs.pdf

To access a web-text (HTML) version, go to:
http://www.immunize.org/catg.d/p2170.htm

(5) "You are not alone! Information for young adults who are chronically infected with hepatitis B virus" by Sarah Jane Schwarzenberg, MD, and Karen Wainwright, RN, BS, CCRA

To access a ready-to-print (PDF) version, go to:
http://www.immunize.org/catg.d/4118.pdf

To access a web-text (HTML) version, go to:
http://www.immunize.org/catg.d/4118.htm

(6) "Brief Introduction to Hepatitis B for Parents of Adopted Children" by Sarah Jane Schwarzenberg, MD

To access a ready-to-print (PDF) version, go to:
http://www.immunize.org/catg.d/4150intr.pdf

To access a web-text (HTML) version, go to:
http://www.immunize.org/catg.d/4150intr.htm

(7) "Does your patient have chronic hepatitis B?" by Coleman Smith, MD

To access a ready-to-print (PDF) version, go to:
http://www.immunize.org/catg.d/p2162.pdf

To access a web-text (HTML) version, go to:
http://www.immunize.org/nslt.d/n18/p2162.htm

In addition, five recently revised viral hepatitis pieces were re-translated into Turkish, thanks to Drs. Mustafa Kozanoglu and Murat Serbest of Adana, Turkey.

"Hepatitis A, B, and C: Learn the Differences"
http://www.immunize.org/catg.d/p4075tu.pdf

"Protect yourself against hepatitis A and hepatitis B. . . a guide for gay and bisexual men"
http://www.immunize.org/catg.d/p4115tu.pdf

"If you have chronic hepatitis B (HBV) infection. . ."
http://www.immunize.org/catg.d/p4120tu.pdf

"Should you be vaccinated against hepatitis A?"
http://www.immunize.org/catg.d/p2190tu.pdf

"Should you be vaccinated against hepatitis B?"
http://www.immunize.org/catg.d/p2191tu.pdf
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(7 of 11)
April 15, 2005
HEPATITIS B FOUNDATION PUBLISHES WINTER 2005 ISSUE OF "B INFORMED"

The Winter 2005 issue of "B Informed," the newsletter of the Hepatitis B Foundation (HBF) is now available online. This issue includes articles on HBF's new research institute and a thought-provoking article about the state of HBV research funding.

The current issue of "B Informed" can be accessed at
http://www.hepb.org/pdf/hepbnews42.pdf

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 go to: http://www.hepb.org
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(8 of 11)
April 15, 2005
FDA APPROVES NEW HAV ASSAY TEST

On March 7, 2005, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Bayer HealthCare Diagnostics' ADVIA Centaur® HAV Total Assay, an in vitro diagnostic immunoassay for the qualitative determination of total antibodies to the hepatitis A virus in human serum or plasma. The assay can be used by laboratories to aid in the diagnosis of previous or ongoing HAV infection or in the identification of HAV-susceptible individuals for vaccination.

To access the New Device Approval information from the FDA website, go to: http://www.fda.gov/cdrh/mda/docs/p040017.html
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(9 of 11)
April 15, 2005
HBF'S B-INFORMED PATIENT CONFERENCE TO BE HELD JULY 9-10

The Hepatitis B Foundation (HBF) will be sponsoring the fifth B-Informed Patient Conference on July 9-10, 2005. The conference will be held at Delaware Valley College, Doylestown, Pennsylvania.

For more information, go to http://www.hepb.org, call (215) 489-4900, or email info@hepb.org
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(10 of 11)
April 15, 2005
RECOMMENDATIONS FOR IMPROVING HIGH-RISK ADULTS' INFLUENZA, PPV, AND HEPATITIS B VACCINATION COVERAGE NOW AVAILABLE

[The following is cross posted from the Immunization Action Coalition's "IAC EXPRESS" electronic newsletter, 04/04/05.]

On April 1, CDC issued "Improving Influenza, Pneumococcal Polysaccharide, and Hepatitis B Vaccination Coverage Among Adults Aged <65 Years at High Risk: A Report on Recommendations of the Task Force on Community Preventive Services," as a Recommendation and Reports issue of MMWR. The summary is reprinted below.

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The Task Force on Community Preventive Services conducted systematic reviews to evaluate the effectiveness of interventions to improve targeted vaccination coverage (i.e., coverage with vaccines recommended for some but not all persons in an age range on the basis of risk for exposure or disease) among adults aged <65 years at high risk when implemented alone (single-component interventions) and in combination with other interventions (multicomponent interventions). A 1999 report by the Task Force examined the effectiveness of interventions to increase coverage with universally recommended vaccinations (i.e., vaccines recommended for all persons in particular age groups). Three targeted vaccinations recommended for populations at risk are addressed in this review: influenza, pneumococcal polysaccharide, and hepatitis B. The Task Force identified evidence that certain combinations of interventions have improved vaccination coverage. To increase targeted vaccination coverage, the Task Force recommends a combination of interventions that include selected interventions from two or three categories of interventions (i.e., increasing community demand for vaccinations, enhancing access to vaccination services, and provider- or system-based interventions). The Task Force also recommends provider reminders, when implemented alone, to improve targeted vaccination coverage. This report provides additional information about population-based interventions to improve the coverage of influenza, pneumococcal polysaccharide, and hepatitis B vaccines among populations at risk, briefly describes how the reviews were conducted, and provides information that can help in applying the interventions  locally.

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To access a web-text (HTML) version of the recommendation, go to: http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/rr5405a1.htm

To access a ready-to-print (PDF) version of the recommendation, go to:
http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/PDF/rr/rr5405.pdf

To receive a FREE electronic subscription to MMWR, go to:
http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/mmwrsubscribe.html
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(11 of 11)
April 15, 2005
NEW MEETING INFORMATION AVAILABLE ON VHPB WEBSITE

The Viral Hepatitis Prevention Board (VHPB) website has been updated to include information from the March meeting held in Rome: "Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, and Other Blood-Borne Infections in Healthcare Workers."

Topics covered during the meeting included global epidemiology of blood-borne infections in healthcare workers, transmission of HBV and HCV as an occupational risk, primary and secondary prevention measures against HBV and HCV infections in healthcare workers, and recommendations for HBV-, HCV-, or HIV-infected healthcare workers or (para)medical students.

To access the meeting program and most of the presentations, go to: http://www.vhpb.org