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September 28, 2006
CHECK OUT IAC'S HEPATITIS PREVENTION PROGRAMS WEBSITE FOR NEW AND UPDATED PROGRAMMATIC INFORMATION

Newly updated, the IAC hepatitis prevention website showcases programs across the United States that work to prevent hepatitis A, B, or C in people who are at risk for infection. It also features general information on hepatitis B and hepatitis A vaccination, special topics related to viral hepatitis, and links to other organizations and resources.

To access the website, go to: http://www.hepprograms.org Be sure to check back often to find new information.

If you have not done so, please add your program by going to http://www.hepprograms.org/tellus.htm and submitting your programmatic information.
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(2 of 13)
September 28, 2006
SURVEY OF 2005 VACCINATION RATES OF U.S. CHILDREN AGES 19-35 MONTHS SHOWS SIMILAR RATES ACROSS RACIAL AND ETHNIC LINES

CDC published "National, State, and Urban Area Vaccination Coverage Among Children Aged 19-35 Months—United States, 2005" in the September 15 issue of MMWR. A link to tables describing data collected during the 2005 National Immunization Survey (NIS) appears at the end of this article, as do links to a CDC press release relating to the 2005 survey and to the full transcript of a CDC press briefing on the topic.

The editorial note from the MMWR article is reprinted below.

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Editorial Note:

The findings in this report indicate that among U.S. children aged 19-35 months, coverage with the recommended vaccines in 2005 remained at or near all-time-high levels, with substantial increases in PCV coverage. The 2005 NIS survey cohort included children born during February 2002-July 2004; all of these children might have been affected by the shortages of PCV during February-September 2004, when recommendations to defer the 4th dose or the 3rd and 4th doses were in effect. Despite these shortages, coverage with the full series (>=4 doses) exceeded 50% and coverage with >=3 doses of PCV exceeded 80% in this survey cohort. Surveillance data from 1998-2003 have indicated substantial reductions in the incidence of vaccine-type and overall invasive pneumococcal disease in children and adults, attributable to routine use of PCV in young children. . . .

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To access a web-text (HTML) version of the complete article, go to:
http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm5536a2.htm

To access a ready-to-print (PDF) version of this issue of MMWR, go to:
http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/PDF/wk/mm5536.pdf

To access NIS 2005 data tables from the CDC website, go to:
http://www.cdc.gov/nip/coverage/NIS/05/toc-05.htm

To access a CDC press release titled "Racial disparities in childhood immunization coverage rates closing," go to:
http://www.cdc.gov/od/oc/media/pressrel/r060914.htm

To access the full transcript of the CDC press briefing, go to:
http://www.cdc.gov/od/oc/media/transcripts/t060914.htm

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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(3 of 13)
September 28, 2006
IAC UPDATES ITS TWO SUMMARIES OF IMMUNIZATION RECOMMENDATIONS AND OTHER MATERIALS FOR HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS

[The following is cross-posted from the Immunization Action Coalition's IAC Express electronic newsletter, September 18, 2006.]

IAC recently updated its two summaries of immunization recommendations, as well as three information sheets for healthcare professionals. Following are explanations of the revisions and links to the updated documents.

(1) Summary of Recommendations for Childhood and Adolescent Immunization (three pages, updated September 2006): Information was added about the new vaccines for human papillomavirus (HPV) and rotavirus. In addition, the sections on the following vaccines were extensively revised: hepatitis B, Td/Tdap, varicella, MMR, influenza, pneumococcal polysaccharide (PPV), and hepatitis A.

To access a ready-to-print version of the childhood/adolescent summary, go to:
http://www.immunize.org/catg.d/rules1.pdf

To access a web-text (HTML) version, go to:
http://www.immunize.org/nslt.d/n17/rules1.htm

(2) Summary of Recommendations for Adult Immunization (three pages, updated September 2006): Information on using Td/Tdap vaccines during pregnancy was revised, as was information about the evidence of immunity to varicella.

To access a ready-to-print version of the adult summary, go to:
http://www.immunize.org/catg.d/p2011b.pdf

To access a web-text (HTML) version, go to:
http://www.immunize.org/catg.d/p2011b.htm

(3) How to Administer Intramuscular (IM) and Subcutaneous (SC) Injections (two pages, updated September 2006): Information on the site for administering IM injections to children ages 12 months to 10 years was changed.

To access a ready-to-print version of this piece, go to:
http://www.immunize.org/catg.d/p2020.pdf

(4) Screening Questionnaire for Child and Teen Immunization (two pages; updated September 2006): Minor revisions were made.

To access a ready-to-print version of this piece, go to:
http://www.immunize.org/catg.d/p4060scr.pdf

To access a web-text (HTML) version, go to:
http://www.immunize.org/catg.d/p4060scr.htm

(5) Screening Questionnaire for Adult Immunization (two pages; updated September 2006): Minor revisions were made.

To access a ready-to-print version of this piece, go to:
http://www.immunize.org/catg.d/p4065scr.pdf

To access a web-text (HTML) version, go to:
http://www.immunize.org/catg.d/p4065scr.htm
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(4 of 13)
September 28, 2006
NEW YORK STATE'S 2006 PROGRAM MANUAL FOR PERINATAL HEPATITIS B PREVENTION NOW AVAILABLE ONLINE

Developed by the New York State Department of Health's Perinatal Hepatitis B Prevention Program, the 2006 program manual discusses the following information on perinatal hepatitis B:

• Clinical features and epidemiology
• Prevention procedures
• Case management
• Vaccination and prophylaxis
• Serology

A guidance document for the Perinatal Hepatitis B Prevention Program, the manual is intended for use by administrators and medical professionals involved in perinatal care, particularly hospital obstetrical and neonatal staff, prenatal care providers, pediatric providers, professional organizations, and public health staff. The guidance provided is based on current recommendations of CDC's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices.

To access a ready-to-print (PDF) version of the 83-page document, go to:
http://www.health.state.ny.us/diseases/communicable/hepatitis/docs/hepb_manual.pdf

For further information, please contact Elizabeth J. Herlihy, RN, BSN, MS, hepatitis B coordinator, New York State Department of Health Immunization Program. She can be reached by phone at (518) 473-4437, by fax at (518) 474-1495, and by email at EJH04@health.state.ny.us
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(5 of 13)
September 28, 2006
PROMOTE HEALTHCARE WORKER VACCINATION WITH CDC'S UPDATED POSTERS AND FLYERS

[The following is cross posted from CDC's Immunization Works electronic newsletter, September 2006.]

PROMOTE HCW [HEALTHCARE WORKER] VACCINATION: CDC has recently updated posters and flyers for healthcare worker (HCW) vaccinations, "Healthcare Workers! Are your vaccinations up-to-date?" The updated materials that include hepatitis B vaccine recommendations reflect the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices' (ACIP's) new pertussis vaccine recommendations. They can be downloaded and printed in black and white or commercial-quality color from www.cdc.gov/nip/publications/#healthcare (scroll down to Healthcare Worker Immunizations).
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(6 of 13)
September 28, 2006
READ THE INFECTIOUS DISEASES IN CORRECTIONS REPORT (FORMERLY CALLED THE HEPP REPORT)

The newsletter Infectious Diseases in Corrections Report is a forum for correctional problem solving. It targets correctional administrators, as well as HIV/AIDS and hepatitis care providers, including physicians, nurses, outreach workers, and case managers.

To access the August 2006 issue, go to:
http://www.idcronline.com/archives/aug06/article.html

To access previous issues, go to:
http://www.idcronline.com/archives.html

Continuing Medical Education credits are provided by the Brown University Office of Continuing Medical Education to physicians who accurately respond to the questions on the last page of the newsletter. For more information, go to:
http://www.idcronline.com/about.html
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(7 of 13)
September 28, 2006
VISIT THE HEPATITIS B FOUNDATION WEBSITE FOR FEATURED STORIES THAT INCLUDE INFORMATION ON RISING LIVER CANCER RATES

The Hepatitis B Foundation, a national nonprofit organization, is dedicated to the global problem of hepatitis B. The foundation's commitment includes (1) funding focused research, (2) promoting disease awareness, (3) supporting immunization and treatment initiatives, and (4) serving as the primary source of information for patients, their families, the medical and scientific community, and the general public.

For information on hepatitis B-related topics of interest, such as rising liver cancer rates, available newsletters, a new test for acetaminophen poisoning, the grand opening celebration of the foundation's new Biotech Center, and much more, visit the foundation's website at http://www.hepb.org
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(8 of 13)
September 28, 2006
CHECK OUT THE WEBSITE OF THE NATIONAL NURSES ADVISORY COUNCIL FOR LIVER WELLNESS & VIRAL HEPATITIS

Sponsored by Hepatitis Foundation International, the National Nurses Advisory Council for Liver Wellness & Viral Hepatitis is dedicated to improving hepatitis-related health outcomes by initiating collaborative programs on three fronts:

• Promoting education and prevention
• Improving the quality of care given to patients
• Advocating for patients, researchers, and medical professionals

For additional information, go to: http://www.hepfi.org/nnac
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(9 of 13)
September 28, 2006
NEW WEBSITE SUPPORTS PEOPLE LIVING WITH CHRONIC HEPATITIS B WITH INFORMATION ABOUT THE DISEASE, TESTING, AND TREATMENT

The website http://www.stophepb.com provides patients, their families, and loved ones with information on key hepatitis B statistics, risk factors for hepatitis B, testing, and treatment options. It also includes a question and answer section.
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(10 of 13)
September 28, 2006
GET AN INTERNATIONAL PERSPECTIVE ON SAFE INJECTION PRACTICES FROM THE SIGNpost NEWSLETTER AND WHO WEB SECTIONS

The Safe Injection Global Network (SIGN) is a voluntary coalition of stakeholders aiming to achieve safe and appropriate use of injections throughout the world. Three of the network's resources will be of particular interest to Hep Express readers:

The network's publication, SIGNpost, is a weekly email newsletter about safe and appropriate use of injections.

To access the most recent issue (dated 9/27/06), go to:
http://uqconnect.net/signfiles/Archives/SIGN-POST00367.txt

To access previous issues, go to:
http://uqconnect.net/signfiles/Archives

The Toolbox contains resources to assist in the management of safe and appropriate use of injection policies. To access it, go to:
http://www.who.int/injection_safety/toolbox/en

For additional information about the WHO injection safety website and the SIGN Alliance Secretariat, go to:
http://www.who.int/injection_safety/en
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(11 of 13)
September 28, 2006
ANNUAL SIGN INJECTION SAFETY AND INFECTION CONTROL MEETING TO BE HELD IN MEXICO CITY ON OCTOBER 23-25

Planned for October 23-25 in Mexico City, the 2006 SIGN (Safe Injection Global Network) Injection Safety and Infection Control meeting has the following objectives: (1) exchange information regarding global progress towards the safe and appropriate use of injections worldwide; (2) review progress of the various injection safety country projects; (3) review progress of the healthcare worker protection; (4) review global progress in infection prevention and control activities; and (5) review available waste disposal options.

For additional information, go to:
http://www.who.int/injection_safety/en
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(12 of 13)
September 28, 2006
ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON IMMUNIZATION PRACTICES (ACIP) MEETING SCHEDULED FOR OCTOBER 25-26 IN ATLANTA

The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) will hold its next meeting on October 25-26 at CDC's Clifton Road campus in Atlanta. The meeting is open to the general public.

To speed security clearance, ACIP attendees (participants and visitors) should register online. All non-U.S. citizens are required to register online AND complete the Access RequestForm at least three weeks in advance of an ACIP meeting (i.e., by October 2 for the October 25-26 meeting). Non-U.S. citizens will not be allowed to register on site.

To register online, go to:
http://www2.cdc.gov/nip/ACIP/octoberRegistration.asp

To access a ready-to-print (PDF) version of the draft meeting agenda, go to:
http://www.cdc.gov/nip/ACIP/agendas/agenda-oct06.pdf

For more information, go to: http://www.cdc.gov/nip/ACIP/dates.htm or contact Dee Gardner by phone at (404) 639-8836 or by email at DGardner@cdc.gov
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(13 of 13)
September 28, 2006
AMERICAN PUBLIC HEALTH ASSOCIATION (APHA) ANNUAL MEETING PLANNED FOR BOSTON ON NOVEMBER 4-8

Scheduled for November 4-8 at the new Boston Convention and Exhibition Center (near the waterfront), the APHA annual meeting offers attendees a platform to share successes and failures, discover exceptional best practices, and learn from expert colleagues and the latest research in the field.

For comprehensive information, go to: www.apha.org/meetings or call APHA's main phone number at (202) 777-2742.