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December 5, 2006
UPDATED U.S. TREATMENT GUIDELINES FOR MANAGEMENT OF CHRONIC HEPATITIS B PUBLISHED

The treatment algorithm for managing chronic hepatitis B in the United States, first published in 2004, has been updated based on new developments in the understanding of chronic hepatitis B, the availability of more sensitive molecular diagnostic testing, the addition of new treatments, and better understanding of the advantages and disadvantages of approved therapies. The current algorithm was developed by expert hepatologists based on a systematic review of the available scientific literature and clinical experience.

The article, "A Treatment Algorithm for the Management of Chronic Hepatitis B Virus Infection in the United States: An Update," was published in the August 2006 issue of Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology. To read the article in its entirety, go to: http://www.hepb.org/pdf/treatmentalgorithm_update.pdf

This is an important document for all treating physicians, and patients are encouraged to share this article with their liver specialists.

Editor's note: Since the publication of these guidelines, an additional drug has been approved for the treatment of chronic hepatitis B. The FDA announcement about the licensure of Tyzeka (telbivudine) on October 25 can be found at: http://www.fda.gov/bbs/topics/NEWS/2006/NEW01498.html
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(2 of 9)
December 5, 2006
APAMSA DEVELOPS NEW HEPATITIS B OUTREACH GUIDE

APAMSA (Asian Pacific American Medical Student Association) is a national organization that aims to address issues important to Asian-American medical students. Because Asian Pacific Islander Americans are disproportionately affected by hepatitis B virus infection, working to prevent and treat such infection is an important part of APAMSA's work.

As part of a national service project for APAMSA's National Hepatitis B Month in March 2007, the organization has developed a 47-page hepatitis B outreach guide. Part of a campaign called "Hep B: Help Break This Cycle," the guide includes chapters on screening, immunization, and follow-up care; client letters and forms for screening in English, Chinese, Korean, and Vietnamese; lists of resources; and more.

To download the "APAMSA Hepatitis B Outreach How-To-Guide" in ready-to-print (PDF) format, go to: http://www.apamsa.org/files/APAMSA%20HepB%20Guide.pdf

To read more about APAMSA fighting to break the hepatitis B virus infection cycle in the Asian Pacific Islander American community, go to: http://www.apamsa.org/programs4.php

To learn more about APAMSA, go to: http://www.apamsa.org
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(3 of 9)
December 5, 2006
AMERICAN LIVER FOUNDATION LAUNCHES WEBSITE FOR THE PUBLIC ABOUT LIVER HEALTH

The American Liver Foundation (ALF) is a national, voluntary nonprofit health agency dedicated to preventing, treating, and curing hepatitis and all liver diseases through research, education, and support groups. The main ALF website is located at http://www.liverfoundation.org

ALF recently launched a website designed to teach the public about liver wellness and liver disease. Pointing out that liver disease is on the increase and now affects one of out every ten Americans, the site offers information about liver disease risk factors, FAQs about liver wellness, two public service announcement videos, and more. Visitors can also send a question to ALF via email. Visit this new website at http://yourliver.org
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(4 of 9)
December 5, 2006
CDC'S DIVISION OF VIRAL HEPATITIS OFFERS BROCHURES IN MULTIPLE LANGUAGES

CDC's Division of Viral Hepatitis (DVH) recently translated a brochure titled "Protect Your Baby for Life from Hepatitis B" into Spanish, Chinese, Marshallese, Tagalog, and Vietnamese.

DVH also offers other hepatitis-related brochures in multiple languages, including Korean, Russian, and Ukrainian in addition to the languages listed above. To view these brochures, or to download them in ready-to-print (PDF) format, go to: http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/diseases/hepatitis/resource/brochures.htm

Brochures can be ordered from CDC by completing the online order form at http://webapp.cdc.gov/ixpress/pubsprod/hepa+book/hepa.dml
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(5 of 9)
December 5, 2006
HEPATITIS B FOUNDATION ADDS TURKISH-LANGUAGE CHAPTER TO ITS WEBSITE

The Hepatitis B Foundation (HBF) has created unique online language chapters providing culturally sensitive information on hepatitis B. Recently, HBF added a Turkish chapter to its website, which already featured Chinese (simplified and traditional), Korean, Spanish, and Vietnamese chapters.

You will need to have the various language fonts installed on your computer to view these pages.

All the language chapters are easily accessible from the home page of HBF's website at http://www.hepb.org

The HBF website features many other resources including the "HBF Drug Watch," expert speakers' forum, patient learning guides, liver specialist directory, information on clinical trials, and much more.
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(6 of 9)
December 5, 2006
IAC REVISES MANY PIECES RELATED TO VIRAL HEPATITIS OR GENERAL IMMUNIZATION

IAC recently updated the following education pieces for healthcare professionals and parents and patients. Many of the pieces required revision because of the licensure of new vaccines for human papillomavirus (HPV), rotavirus, and herpes zoster (shingles).

FOR HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS
"Standing Orders for Administering Hepatitis B Vaccine to Adults"
This now includes the information that the vaccine may be administered to anyone who wants to be protected against hepatitis B virus infection. In addition, minor changes were made. To access a ready-to-print (PDF) version of the updated piece, go to: http://www.immunize.org/catg.d/p3076.pdf

"Vaccine Administration Record for Adults"
To access a ready-to-print (PDF) version of the expanded piece, which includes an example page showing how to record combination vaccines, go to: http://www.immunize.org/catg.d/p2023b.pdf

"Vaccine Administration Record for Children and Teens"
To access a ready-to-print (PDF) version of the updated piece, go to: http://www.immunize.org/catg.d/p2022b.pdf

"Administering Vaccines: Dose, route, site, and needle size"
To access a ready-to-print (PDF) version of the updated piece, go to: http://www.immunize.org/catg.d/p3085.pdf

"Administering Vaccines to Adults: Dose, route, site, needle size, and preparation"
To access a ready-to-print (PDF) version of the updated piece, go to: http://www.immunize.org/catg.d/p3084.pdf

"Medical Management of Vaccine Reactions in Adult Patients"
To access a ready-to-print (PDF) version of the reformatted piece, go to: http://www.immunize.org/catg.d/p3082.pdf

"Maintaining the Cold Chain"
To access a ready-to-print (PDF) version of the updated piece, go to: http://www.immunize.org/catg.d/p3049.pdf

"The Facts about Using VISs"
To access a ready-to-print (PDF) version of the updated piece, go to: http://www.immunize.org/catg.d/p2028.pdf

"It's Federal Law! You must give your patients current Vaccine Information Statements"
To access a ready-to-print (PDF) version of the updated piece, go to: http://www.immunize.org/catg.d/2027law.pdf

"Don't Be Guilty of These Errors in Vaccine Storage and Handling"
To access a ready-to-print (PDF) version of the updated piece, go to: http://www.immunize.org/catg.d/p3036.pdf

FOR PARENTS AND PATIENTS
"Are You 11-19 Years Old? Then you need to be vaccinated against these serious diseases!"
To access a ready-to-print (PDF) version of the updated piece, go to: http://www.immunize.org/catg.d/11teens8.pdf

"Vaccinations for Adults: You're NEVER too old to get immunized!"
To access a ready-to-print (PDF) version of the updated piece, go to: http://www.immunize.org/catg.d/p4030a.pdf

"When Do Children and Teens Need Vaccinations?"
To access a ready-to-print (PDF) version of the updated piece, go to: http://www.immunize.org/catg.d/when1.pdf

"Hepatitis B Information for Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders"
To access a ready-to-print (PDF) version of the updated piece, go to: http://www.immunize.org/catg.d/4190apia.pdf

"Immunizations for Babies: A guide for parents"
To access a ready-to-print (PDF) version of the updated piece, go to: http://www.immunize.org/catg.d/p4010imm.pdf
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December 5, 2006
BEFORE THE HOLIDAY RUSH, TAKE TIME TO REGISTER FOR CDC'S 2007 NATIONAL IMMUNIZATION CONFERENCE

[The following is cross-posted from the Immunization Action Coalition's "IAC EXPRESS" electronic newsletter, November 6, 2006.]

Take time NOW—before you start juggling work with a long string of winter holiday celebrations—to register for CDC's 2007 National Immunization Conference. Scheduled for March 5-8, 2007, in Kansas City, MO, the conference will give you a chance to get recharged and revitalized. Get together with old friends and colleagues, meet people you know only through phone conversations and email messages, tour the conference exhibit space, and get fresh ideas from poster sessions, workshops, and plenary meetings. You don't want to miss it!

The deadline for early-bird registration ($200) is January 12, but why wait? Register today, and you'll have something to look forward to throughout winter. To register online, go to: http://conferences.taskforce.org/nic/2007nic.htm

The six topic tracks for this year's conference are (1) adult and adolescent immunization, (2) epidemiology and new vaccines, (3) influenza, (4) immunization information systems, (5) programmatic issues, and (6) health and risk communication.

For general conference information, including conference goals and objectives, go to: http://www.cdc.gov/nip/nic

To plan some fun in Kansas City, visit the official tourism website at http://www.visitkc.com

For additional information, contact the conference planning team at (404) 639-8225 or nipnic@cdc.gov
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(8 of 9)
December 5, 2006
NEW: TENTH EDITION OF THE PINK BOOK NOW AVAILABLE; ORDER BY DECEMBER 15 FOR PRE-PUBLICATION DISCOUNT

The website of the Public Health Foundation recently posted information on ordering the tenth edition of "Epidemiology and Prevention of Vaccine-Preventable Diseases" (AKA the Pink Book). It will be published in January 2007 and available for $32. The pre-publication price of $25.60 is available for orders placed by December 15.

The Pink Book provides physicians, nurses, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, pharmacists, and others with current and comprehensive information on vaccine-preventable diseases and the vaccines that prevent them.

To place an order, go to:
http://bookstore.phf.org/product_info.php?cPath=45&products_id=552
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(9 of 9)
December 5, 2006
SAVE THE DATE: EPIDEMIOLOGY & PREVENTION OF VACCINE-PREVENTABLE DISEASES BROADCAST PLANNED FOR JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2007

The live satellite broadcast Epidemiology & Prevention of Vaccine-Preventable Diseases is scheduled from noon to 4:00PM ET on four consecutive Thursdays in 2007: January 25 and February 1, 8, and 15.

The broadcasts will give participants a comprehensive overview of the principles of vaccination, general recommendations, immunization strategies for providers, and specific information about vaccine-preventable diseases and the vaccines that prevent them. The course is intended for immunization providers such as physicians, nurses, nurse practitioners, pharmacists, physicians' assistants, Department of Defense paraprofessionals, medical students, and others.

Registrations are not being accepted yet. Hep Express will publicize registration information when it becomes available.

For information on the course textbook, slide sets, and other resources, go to: http://www.cdc.gov/nip/ed/satellite_broadcasts.htm Click on the link titled "Epidemiology & Prevention of Vaccine-Preventable Diseases."