(1 of 10)
March 29, 2006
NEW: AAP ENDORSES CDC'S HEPATITIS B RECOMMENDATIONS FOR INFANTS, CHILDREN, AND ADOLESCENTS

[The following is cross posted from the Immunization Action Coalition's "IAC EXPRESS" electronic newsletter, 3/27/06.]

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recently published an article, "Academy endorses CDC's hepatitis B recommendations," in the online version of its publication AAP News. It concerns ACIP's new hepatitis B recommendations, which covers immunization of infants, children, and adolescents. The online AAP News article is reprinted below in its entirety.

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The Academy has endorsed the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommendation for hepatitis B vaccine, "A Comprehensive Immunization Strategy to Eliminate Transmission of Hepatitis B Virus Infection in the United States."

The CDC recommends that all newborns receive a birth dose of hepatitis B vaccine before leaving the hospital unless a physician provides a written order to defer the birth dose. CDC also recommends that all children age 19 and younger receive the vaccine series.

DELAY IN 'RARE CIRCUMSTANCES'
"On a case-by-case basis and only in rare circumstances," the birth dose may be delayed until after hospital discharge, according to the new recommendation. This exception applies only to infants who weigh at least 2,000 grams and whose mothers are known to be HBsAg negative during the current pregnancy. When a decision is made to delay the birth dose, a physician's order to withhold the birth dose and a copy of the original laboratory report indicating that the mother was HBsAg negative during this pregnancy must be placed in the infant's medical record.

In infants who do not receive a first dose before hospital discharge, the first dose should be administered no later than 2 months of age.

CDC recommendations also state that the birth dose should not be delayed if the infant's mother engaged in high-risk sexual or drug-using practices during pregnancy (e.g., having had more than one sex partner during the previous six months or an HBsAg-positive sex partner, evaluation or treatment for an STD, or recent or current injection-drug use) or in situations of expected poor compliance with follow-up to initiate the vaccine series.

Preterm infants weighing less than 2,000 grams and born to HBsAg-negative mothers should have their first vaccine dose delayed until one month after birth or hospital discharge, whichever comes first. For these infants, a copy of the original laboratory report indicating that the mother was HBsAg negative during this pregnancy should be placed in the infant's medical record.

The recommendations call for physician follow-up in infants whose birth dose is delayed.

CATCH-UP
Hepatitis B vaccination is recommended for all children and adolescents 19 years of age and under. Children and adolescents who have not previously received hepatitis B vaccine should be vaccinated routinely at any age with an appropriate dose and schedule, but all children aged 11-12 years should have a review of their immunization records and should complete the vaccine series if they were not previously vaccinated or were incompletely vaccinated.

[The CDC recommendation is online at http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/PDF/rr/rr5416.pdf or see the Dec. 23, 2005, Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR. 2005;54(RR-16):1-23)].

Additional information about hepatitis B is available in the 2003 edition of the AAP Red Book (pages 318-336) and on the Red Book Online Web site: aapredbook.aappublications.org [http://aapredbook.aappublications.org].

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To access the article from the AAP News, go to:
http://aapnews.aappublications.org/cgi/content/full/e2006199v1

If you prefer a web-text (HTML) version of the ACIP recommendations, use the following links:

For the main text of the ACIP recommendations, go to:
http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/rr5416a1.htm

For Appendix A (Case finding and management of hepatitis B surface antigen [HBsAg]—positive persons during delivery of vaccination services), go to:
http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/rr5416a2.htm

For Appendix B (Immunization management issues), go to:
http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/rr5416a3.htm

For Appendix C (Postexposure prophylaxis of persons with discrete identifiable exposure to hepatitis B virus [HBV]), go to: http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/rr5416a4.htm
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(2 of 10)
March 29, 2006
CDC RELEASES UPDATED HEPATITIS A VIS

On March 21, 2006, CDC posted an updated hepatitis A VIS that takes into account the licensing of hepatitis A vaccines for children 12 months and older and the ACIP recommendation for routine hepatitis A vaccination of all children age one year. The previous hepatitis A VIS, dated 1/09/06, was an interim version.

To obtain a ready-to-copy (PDF) version of the hepatitis A VIS, go to: http://www.immunize.org/vis/v-hepa.pdf

Please note that the new VIS (dated 3/21/06) is currently available only in English.

For information about the use of VISs, and for VISs in up to 33 languages, visit IAC's VIS web section at http://www.immunize.org/vis
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(3 of 10)
March 29, 2006
NEW: LAMINATED U.S. CHILDHOOD AND ADULT IMMUNIZATION SCHEDULES ARE A MUST FOR EVERY EXAM ROOM

[The following is cross posted from the Immunization Action Coalition's "IAC EXPRESS" electronic newsletter, 3/13/06.]

A set of laminated immunization schedules will be a useful and welcome addition to every exam room at your practice site. IAC adapted the schedules from the ones posted on NIP's website. Each is coated in durable plastic for heavy-duty use, complete with essential footnotes, and printed in color for easy comprehension. Following is information on the schedules, including their prices and ordering options.

Childhood schedule. Based on the ACIP/AAP/AAFP-approved Recommended Childhood and Adolescent Immunization Schedule, 2006, this 2-page, 8.5" x 11" schedule is printed back-to-back. To view it, go to:
http://www.immunize.org/immschedules/immschedule_child.pdf

Note: The laminated childhood schedule does not include information about administering the newly licensed rotavirus vaccine because rotavirus vaccine is not on the official 2006 childhood schedule on which the laminated schedule is based.

Prices for the childhood schedule are $4 each for 1–4 copies and $3 each for 5–19 copies. Discount pricing is available for larger quantities.

Adult schedule. Based on the ACIP/AAFP/ACOG-approved Recommended Adult Immunization Schedule, Oct. 2005–Sept. 2006, this 4-page, 11" x 17" schedule is printed back-to-back and folded to 8.5" x 11". To view it, go to:
http://www.immunize.org/immschedules/immschedule_adult.pdf

Prices for the adult schedule are $5 each for 1–4 copies and $4 each for 5–19 copies. Discount pricing is available for larger quantities.

Ordering options. Order online with a credit card, or order by mail or fax, using a credit card, check, or purchase order. Shipping is free within the United States.

For more ordering information, go to: http://www.immunize.org/immschedules Questions? Email admin@immunize.org or call (651) 647-9009.
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(4 of 10)
March 29, 2006
NEW: CURRENT U.S. CHILDHOOD AND ADULT IMMUNIZATION SCHEDULES ARE NOW AVAILABLE FOR PDAs

[The following is cross posted from the Immunization Action Coalition's "IAC EXPRESS" electronic newsletter, 3/13/06.]

The current childhood and adult immunization schedules are now available for Palm OS and Pocket PC hand-held devices. Called Shots 2006, the freeware is available on the website of the Group on Immunization Education of the Society of Teachers of Family Medicine. In addition, online versions of both schedules are available.

For a product description, system requirements, downloading and installation information for the hand-held devices and to access the online schedules, go to: http://www.immunizationed.org Click on the option you want.
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(5 of 10)
March 29, 2006
IAC REVISES THREE HEPATITIS EDUCATION PIECES FOR PATIENTS

IAC recently updated three hepatitis-related print pieces intended for patients/clients. All three were revised to take into account the new ACIP recommendations for hepatitis A vaccination and the change in hepatitis A vaccine licensures.

To access a ready-to-print (PDF) version of "Hepatitis A is a serious liver disease" go to:
http://www.immunize.org/catg.d/p4080a.pdf

To access a web-text (HTML) version, go to:
http://www.immunize.org/catg.d/p4080a.htm

To access a ready-to-print (PDF) version of "Should You Be Vaccinated Against Hepatitis A? A Screening questionnaire for adults" go to:
http://www.immunize.org/catg.d/2190hepa.pdf

To access a web-text (HTML) version, go to:
http://www.immunize.org/catg.d/2190hepa.htm

To access a ready-to-print (PDF) version of "Hepatitis A, B, and C: Learn the Differences" 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
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(6 of 10)
March 29, 2006
LOLA SPONSORS SECOND HEPATITIS C MARCH IN NEW YORK CITY ON MAY 18

The Latino Organization for Liver Awareness (LOLA) is sponsoring the second Hepatitis C March in New York City on May 18. The march begins at noon at Battery Park and ends at City Hall Park. Admission is free and the first 500 participants will receive a free T-shirt.

For more information, go to: http://www.lola-national.org
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(7 of 10)
March 29, 2006
INTERNATIONAL HBV MEETING SCHEDULED FOR SEPTEMBER 17–20 IN VANCOUVER, CANADA

The annual International Meeting on the Molecular Biology of Hepatitis B Viruses covers all aspects of the biology of hepatitis B and hepatitis D, including biochemistry, molecular biology, traditional virology, immunology, pathogenesis, and carcinogenesis, as well as the latest developments in antiviral therapies against these two viruses.

The 2006 meeting will be held on September 17–20 in Vancouver, Canada. Visit http://www.hbvmeeting.org to register, submit an abstract, or obtain more information.
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(8 of 10)
March 29, 2006
SIGN 2005 MEETING REPORT NOW ONLINE

The Safe Injection Global Network (SIGN) 2005 annual meeting was held in Hanoi, Vietnam, in November. The final report from the meeting is now available for downloading in ready-to-copy (PDF) format at
http://www.who.int/entity/injection_safety/Final-SIGNHanoiReport7Feb06.pdf

To visit the SIGN Alliance website, go to:
http://www.who.int/injection_safety/sign/en

SIGNpost is a free weekly electronic forum about safe and appropriate use of injections. To subscribe, go to:
http://www.who.int/injection_safety/newsletter/SIGNPost/en
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(9 of 10)
March 29, 2006
NATIONAL TASK FORCE ON HEPATITIS B: FOCUS ON ASIAN AND PACIFIC ISLANDER AMERICANS WORKS TO ELIMINATE HEPATITIS B-RELATED MORTALITY AND MORBIDITY

The National Task Force on Hepatitis B: Focus on Asian and Pacific Islander Americans brings together scientists, health professionals, not-for-profit organizations, and concerned citizens in a concerted effort to eliminate hepatitis B-related mortality and morbidity over the next generation.

The group's mission is to support national, state, and local efforts to prevent new hepatitis B infections through vaccination, to identify chronically infected individuals, and to offer appropriate treatment and cancer screening.

Please visit the group's website at http://www.hepbtaskforce.org to learn more about the task force or to be added to their listserv or monthly conference call. The task force has collected useful resources for those working with Asian Pacific Islander Americans and made them available on their website at http://www.hepbtaskforce.org/resources.htm
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(10 of 10)
March 29, 2006
DR. RAYMOND SCHINAZI RECEIVES HBF SCIENTIFIC AWARD FOR 2006

The Hepatitis B Foundation (HBF) presented the Distinguished Scientist Award 2006 to Raymond Schinazi, PhD, professor of pediatrics and chemistry at Emory University, and senior research scientist at the Atlanta Department of Veterans Affairs, at its Crystal Ball gala on March 25.

Dr. Schinazi was honored for his contributions to the science and discovery of new drugs for the treatment of chronic hepatitis B and his strong commitment to finding a cure for this chronic liver disease. He is internationally known for his pioneering work in HIV and viral hepatitis research.

For more information about HBF and/or its honoree, Dr. Schinazi, visit http://www.hepb.org or call (215) 489-4900.