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June 5, 2007
NEW: IAC WEBSITE REDESIGN UNDERWAY, NEW WEB SECTIONS ADDED

[The following is cross posted from the Immunization Action Coalition's "IAC EXPRESS" electronic newsletter, 5/29/07.]

Website redesign is in the works at www.immunize.org! The changes are geared to make it easy for visitors to explore the breadth of information on our website. You'll find three of the newly designed web pages really valuable. You can find them easily at the center top of our home page at http://www.immunize.org For details and to access them directly, read on:

The newest, "Vaccines and Vaccine-Preventable Diseases in the News," lists URLs for news articles, features, opinion pieces, and editorials published in the news media about vaccines and vaccine-preventable diseases. Here's the link: http://www.immunize.org/vaccinenews

"What's New at IAC" is a chronological list of new and revised  IAC materials. Here's the link: http://www.immunize.org/new

Check out the "New Releases" web page for just-published VISs from CDC, recommendations from ACIP, vaccine policy statements from AAP, and clinically relevant press releases. Here's the link: http://www.immunize.org/newreleases

Just below the blue banner at the top of IAC's home page, you'll find links to current and archived issues of "Needle Tips," "Vaccinate Adults," "Vaccinate Women," IAC Express, and Hep Express, as well as to Unprotected People Reports, print materials, resources, VISs, photos, videos, and more.

Other freshly designed IAC web sections include those for VISs, Unprotected People, and "Shop IAC"--all have been spotlighted in recent issues of IAC Express. Here are the direct links:

VISs: For VISs in more than 30 languages, go to: http://www.immunize.org/vis

Unprotected People: For case histories, articles, and editorials about people who have suffered or died from VPDs, go to: http://www.immunize.org/reports

"Shop IAC": For easy one-stop shopping for IAC's products available for purchase, go to: http://www.immunize.org/shop

Subscribe: If you haven't already subscribed to receive IAC's print publications "Needle Tips," "Vaccinate Adults," and "Vaccinate Women," go to: http://www.immunize.org/subscribe

"Needle Tips": For current and archived issues, go to: http://www.immunize.org/nt

"Vaccinate Adults": For current and archived issues, go to: http://www.immunize.org/va

"Vaccinate Women": For current and archived issues, go to: http://www.immunize.org/vw

IAC Express: For the complete archives, go to: http://www.immunize.org/express

Hep Express: For the complete archives, go to: http://www.hepprograms.org/hepexpress

"About Us": For a listing of who's who among IAC's staff, advisory board, and board of directors, go to: http://www.immunize.org/aboutus

Going forward, more and more IAC web sections will be integrated into the new design, with the culmination of the web redesign featuring a brand new look for the home page, so check back often to monitor the changes taking place at www.immunize.org
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June 5, 2007
VISIT IAC'S NEWLY REDESIGNED VIS WEB SECTION

[The following is cross posted from the Immunization Action Coalition's "IAC EXPRESS" electronic newsletter, 5/21/07.]

Looking for up-to-date Vaccine Information Statements (VIS) in English and more than 30 languages for your patients? Navigate to IAC's newly redesigned VIS web section.

IAC's most frequently visited web section is the VIS web section, which gets thousands of visitors each day. All VISs on IAC's site are in ready-to-print (PDF) format. You will need Adobe Acrobat Reader to view them.

From the VIS index page, you can choose to search for VISs sorted in an alphabetical listing, as well as by vaccine name and language. To view the VIS web section, go to: http://www.immunize.org/vis

To view the "VISs Alphabetical" web page, go to: http://www.immunize.org/vis/vis_alpha.asp

To view the "VISs by Vaccine" index page, go to: http://www.immunize.org/vis/vis_anthrax.asp

To view the "VISs by Language" index page, go to: http://www.immunize.org/vis/vis_english.asp

Look for the new navigation column on the left-hand side of the VIS index page. It provides quick links to more VIS web subsections, such as "How to Use VISs," "Other VIS Sources," "VISs in Alternative Formats," and "Michigan Versions of VISs."

For information about the use of VISs, and for VISs in more than 30 languages, visit IAC's VIS web section at http://www.immunize.org/vis

Receive updates about new postings to the VIS web section by subscribing to IAC Express at http://www.immunize.org/subscribe You will receive FREE periodic email messages about new and important immunization and hepatitis B information.
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June 5, 2007
CDC OFFERS ONLINE RESOURCES FOR THOSE WORKING TO PREVENT PERINATAL HBV INFECTION

CDC's Division of Viral Hepatitis has developed a web page with information and resources for state and territory perinatal hepatitis B coordinators, as well as for others working in the field.

Resources include "Managing a Perinatal Hepatitis B Prevention Program: A Guide to Life as a Program Coordinator," ACIP hepatitis B recommendations, assay tables, and the 2005 NIS birth dose data. Additional information will continue to be added, including presentations from the 2007 Perinatal Hepatitis B & HIV Coordinators' Meeting.

Visit this web page at http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/diseases/hepatitis/resource/perinatalhepB.htm
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June 5, 2007
CDC ANNOUNCES ADDITION OF HEPATITIS A MODULE TO ITS "YOU CALL THE SHOTS" TRAINING COURSE

[The following is cross posted from the Immunization Action Coalition's "IAC EXPRESS" electronic newsletter, 5/14/07.]

CDC recently announced the addition of a hepatitis A module to the web-based training course "Immunization: You Call the Shots." This module discusses hepatitis A virus infection, the hepatitis A vaccines, recommendations for vaccine use, and indications for administration of immune globulin. Extra learning opportunities, self-test practice questions, reference and resource materials, and a glossary are all provided.

For additional information on "You Call the Shots," go to: http://www.cdc.gov/nip/ed/youcalltheshots.htm

To access the hepatitis A module, go to: http://www2.cdc.gov/nip/isd/ycts/mod1/courses/hepa/start.asp
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(5 of 15)
June 5, 2007
CDC REPORTS ON EPIDEMIOLOGY OF CHRONIC HBV INFECTION IN SAN FRANCISCO

[The following is cross posted from the Immunization Action Coalition's "IAC EXPRESS" electronic newsletter, 5/14/07.]

CDC published "Characteristics of Persons with Chronic Hepatitis B--San Francisco, California, 2006" in the May 11 issue of MMWR. Portions of the article are reprinted below.

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Chronic hepatitis B is the most common cause of cirrhosis and liver cancer worldwide. Approximately 45% of the world's population lives in regions where chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is endemic, including most of Asia and the Pacific Islands, Africa, and the Middle East. Nearly one-fourth of the population of San Francisco was born in Asia and the Pacific Islands. In 2006, the San Francisco Department of Public Health (SFDPH) received reports consistent with probable chronic HBV infection for 2,238 persons. To characterize persons with reported confirmed chronic HBV infection in San Francisco in 2006, SFDPH collected additional data on a subset of 567 cases reported to the SFDPH chronic hepatitis B registry. Eighty-four percent of the persons were Asians/Pacific Islanders (A/PIs), 80% of whom were foreign born. Fewer than half had been referred to a gastroenterologist/hepatologist for evaluation at the time of reporting. Persons with chronic HBV infection can benefit from medical care by providers with expertise in viral hepatitis. In addition, close contacts of infected persons should be screened and offered vaccination if found to be susceptible to HBV infection. Culturally appropriate counseling for and follow-up of persons with chronic HBV infection and  their contacts could help reduce the transmission of HBV infection. . . .

Editorial Note:
The findings in this report suggest that, in 2006, nearly 85% of persons with confirmed chronic HBV infection in San Francisco were A/PIs, 80% of whom were born outside the United States. These persons likely acquired their infections in their countries of origin, countries where HBV infection is endemic and infections usually are acquired at birth or during early childhood. Of persons who acquire chronic HBV infection when they are aged <5 years, an estimated 15%-40% will eventually  have chronic liver disease, including cirrhosis and liver cancer. Treatment for chronic hepatitis B is increasingly effective and can prevent or slow the development of these sequelae. However, fewer than one-third of persons with chronic HBV infection in San Francisco in 2006 had been referred to a specialist for evaluation or undergone treatment at the time of reporting.

Persons from countries where HBV infection is endemic might be unaware of their increased risk for hepatitis B-related liver disease. Hepatitis B screening programs in A/PI communities in the United States can be an effective means of identifying persons with chronic HBV infection and encouraging them to seek medical care.

Health departments and large health systems can use electronic disease registries to characterize and provide services for persons with chronic HBV infection and their close contacts. Persons with chronic HBV infection should receive referrals for appropriate medical care, which can include treatment for HBV infection. Their close contacts should undergo screening for HBV infection and, if found to be susceptible, should receive hepatitis B vaccination. Registries also can provide local population-based data on the epidemiology of chronic HBV infection. . . .

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To access a web-text (HTML) version of the complete article, go to: http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm5618a3.htm

To access a ready-to-print (PDF) version of this issue of MMWR, go to: http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/PDF/wk/mm5618.pdf

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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June 5, 2007
CDC REPORTS ON HEPATITIS B PREVENTION THROUGH UNIVERSAL INFANT IMMUNIZATION IN CHINA

[The following is cross posted from the Immunization Action Coalition's "IAC EXPRESS" electronic newsletter, 5/14/07.]

CDC published "Progress in Hepatitis B Prevention Through Universal Infant Vaccination--China, 1997-2006" in the May 11 issue of MMWR. The introductory paragraph is reprinted below, excluding footnotes.

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Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is a leading cause of illness and death in China. Approximately 60% of the population has a history of HBV infection, and 9.8% of persons in China are chronically infected with HBV and at risk for premature death from liver disease. Each year, an estimated 263,000 persons in China die from HBV-related liver cancer or cirrhosis, accounting for 37%-50% of HBV-related deaths worldwide. Because most HBV infections occur during infancy or early childhood, when HBV infection is most likely to become chronic, vaccination of infants beginning at birth is the key strategy for preventing chronic HBV infection. This report describes China's progress in increasing coverage among infants with hepatitis B vaccine (HepB) and timely administration of the HepB birth dose (i.e., within 24 hours of birth). Infant vaccination coverage with both the timely birth dose and the complete vaccine series was substantially higher among children born during 2003 than among those born during 1997; timely birth-dose coverage increased from 29.1% to 75.8%, and HepB series completion increased from 70.7% to 89.8%. Furthermore, in economically disadvantaged populations in western and middle provinces targeted by the China-Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization (China-GAVI) project, reported coverage with timely HepB birth dose increased from 64% in 2004 to 81% in 2006, and coverage with the complete HepB series increased from 52% in 2001 to 92% in 2006. China has established a goal to reduce chronic HBV infection among children aged <5 years to <1% by 2010. Achieving this goal will require continued commitment to increasing vaccination coverage in impoverished regions and ensuring that infants born at home are vaccinated within 24 hours of birth. . . .

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To access a web-text (HTML) version of the complete article, go to: http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm5618a2.htm

To access a ready-to-print (PDF) version of this issue of MMWR, go to: http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/PDF/wk/mm5618.pdf
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(7 of 15)
June 5, 2007
IAC UPDATES ITS ONLINE ASK THE EXPERTS INFORMATION ON HEPATITIS A AND HEPATITIS B

[The following is cross posted from the Immunization Action Coalition's "IAC EXPRESS" electronic newsletter, 5/21/07.]

IAC and CDC experts recently updated the online Ask the Experts sections on hepatitis A and hepatitis B to reflect the most current information and recommendations.

To access the hepatitis A section of Ask the Experts, go to: http://www.immunize.org/catg.d/p2021a.htm

To access the hepatitis B section of Ask the Experts, go to: http://www.immunize.org/catg.d/p2021b.htm

To access IAC's complete index of Ask the Experts information, go to: http://www.immunize.org/askexperts
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June 5, 2007
IAC RELEASES NEW AND UPDATED IMMUNIZATION-EDUCATION PIECES FOR HEALTH PROFESSIONALS AND THE PUBLIC

IAC recently developed two and updated eight immunization-education pieces related to hepatitis or vaccine administration. Details and links follow.

"Hepatitis A: Questions and Answers" is a new Q&A piece intended for parents and patients.

To access a ready-to-print (PDF) version of it, go to: http://www.immunize.org/catg.d/p4204.pdf

"Hepatitis B: Questions and Answers" is a new Q&A piece intended for parents and patients.

To access a ready-to-print (PDF) version of it, go to: http://www.immunize.org/catg.d/p4205.pdf

"Unusual Cases of Hepatitis B Virus Transmission" was updated to add six new cases.

To access a ready-to-print (PDF) version of it, go to: http://www.immunize.org/catg.d/p2100nrs.pdf

"Should You Be Vaccinated Against Hepatitis A? A screening questionnaire for adults," and "Should You Be Vaccinated Against Hepatitis B? A screening questionnaire for adults" both received minor updates.

To access a ready-to-print (PDF) version of the hepatitis A questionnaire, go to: http://www.immunize.org/catg.d/2190hepa.pdf

To access a ready-to-print (PDF) version of the hepatitis B questionnaire, go to: http://www.immunize.org/catg.d/2191hepb.pdf

"Summary of Recommendations for Adult Immunization" was revised to reflect recent changes in CDC's recommendations for immunizing adults against hepatitis B and hepatitis A. The following sections were also revised: influenza, Tdap, shingles, varicella, and others.

To access a ready-to-print (PDF) version, go to: http://www.immunize.org/catg.d/p2011b.pdf

A question concerning long-term health problems was added to "Screening Questionnaire for Adult Immunization."

To access a ready-to-print (PDF) version of it, go to: http://www.immunize.org/catg.d/p4065scr.pdf

Updates were made to "Vaccinations for Adults: You're never too old to get immunized!"

To access a ready-to-print (PDF) version of it, go to: http://www.immunize.org/catg.d/p4030a.pdf

"Administering Vaccines to Adults: Dose, route, site, needle size, and preparation," was revised to change the dosage information for live, attenuated influenza vaccine.

To access a ready-to-print (PDF) version of it, go to: http://www.immunize.org/catg.d/p3084.pdf

Minor revisions were made to "How to Administer IM and SC Injections to Adults."

To access a ready-to-print (PDF) version of the revised piece, go to: http://www.immunize.org/catg.d/p2020A.pdf
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June 5, 2007
PUBLIC HEALTH REPORTS SUPPLEMENT FEATURES ARTICLES ABOUT INTEGRATION OF VIRAL HEPATITIS PREVENTION SERVICES

The Volume 122, Supplement 2, issue of Public Health Reports features articles about integration of viral hepatitis prevention services. Profiled programs offering viral hepatitis prevention services include STD and HIV clinics, prisons, and substance abuse treatment facilities.

To access this issue online, go to: http://www.publichealthreports.org/issuecontents.cfm?Volume=122&Issue=8
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(10 of 15)
June 5, 2007
HEPATITIS B FOUNDATION DEVELOPS BOOKLET FOR PERSONS INFECTED WITH HBV

The Hepatitis B Foundation (HBF) has developed a new booklet for persons infected with HBV titled "Living with Hepatitis B." This helpful resource includes information on test interpretation, finding a liver specialist, monitoring hepatitis B virus infection, available treatments and treatment issues, healthy life choices, pregnancy, health insurance and employment, support groups, and more.

To download this booklet in ready-to-print (PDF) format, go to: http://www.hepb.org/pdf/patient_info_packet.pdf
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June 5, 2007
NASTAD RELEASES PRIMER ON VIRAL HEPATITIS POLICYMAKING AND PROGRAMS

[The following is cross posted from the Immunization Action Coalition's "IAC EXPRESS" electronic newsletter, 5/14/07.]

On May 5, the National Alliance of State & Territorial AIDS Directors (NASTAD) released a primer titled "Raising the Profile, Raising Your Voice: A Primer on Viral Hepatitis Policymaking and Programs at the Federal Level."

This new document serves to educate persons who are dedicated to viral hepatitis prevention and care about the federal policy process and the programs that address viral hepatitis. Understanding the process through which federal viral hepatitis funding and program decisions are made is critical to impacting policies affecting state hepatitis programs and persons living with hepatitis.

To access a ready-to-print (PDF) version of this resource, go to: http://www.nastad.org/Docs/highlight/200754_NASTAD_VH_Primer_May07.pdf
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June 5, 2007
APAMSA SPONSORS SPOKEN-WORD PERFORMANCE PIECE ON HEPATITIS B

The Asian Pacific American Medical Student Association's (APAMSA) national project, "APAMSA Fights to Break the Hepatitis B Cycle!" is dedicated to educating, screening, and immunizing the Asian Pacific American community against hepatitis B. As part of this campaign, APAMSA has released a spoken-word performance piece about hepatitis B.

Spoken word intertwines elements of rap and poetry to convey the artists' message. The APAMSA piece features Washington University in St. Louis School of Medicine students and spoken-word artists Jason Hill and Leon Scott. The performance emphasizes overcoming cultural and financial barriers to screening, vaccination, and treatment, with the artists managing to work such phrases as "vertically transmitted," "seroconverted," and "hepatitides" into their poetry.

Kathy Lee, National President, APAMSA, directed this project. To view the video, go to: http://www.apamsa.org/home/programs/hepb
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June 5, 2007
HBF POSTS SPRING 2007 ISSUE OF THE "B INFORMED" NEWSLETTER ON ITS WEBSITE

The Spring 2007 issue of "B Informed," the newsletter of the Hepatitis B Foundation (HBF), is now available online. This issue includes the HBF 2006 annual report, as well as an article on primary liver cancer biomarker research and regular features.

The current issue of "B Informed" can be accessed at http://www.hepb.org/pdf/hepbnews48.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 its 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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(14 of 15)
June 5, 2007
HBF LIVER SPECIALIST DIRECTORY GOES GLOBAL

The Hepatitis B Foundation (HBF) has expanded its online Liver Specialist Directory to include physicians around the world who treat hepatitis B patients. Patients can search for a qualified liver specialist, and treating physicians can request to be added to the directory.

To access this resource, go to: http://www.hepb.org/resources/liver_specialist_directory.htm
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(15 of 15)
June 5, 2007
JOURNAL ARTICLES YOU MAY HAVE MISSED

The following recent journal articles present research related to viral hepatitis prevention or treatment.

"Viral Hepatitis in HIV Infection"
Authors: Koziel MJ, Peters MG
Source: N Engl J Med, April 5, 2007, Vol. 356(14):1445-54
http://content.nejm.org/cgi/content/short/356/14/1445

"Hepatitis B 'By Proxy': An Emerging Presentation of Chronic Hepatitis B in Children"
Authors: Sciveres M, Maggiore G
Source: J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr, February 2007, Vol. 44(2):268-9
Click here for abstract

"Preventing Percutaneous Injuries among Dental Health Care Personnel"
Authors: Cleveland JL, Barker LK
Source: J Am Dent Assoc, February 2007, Vol. 138(2):169-78
Click here for abstract

"Infectivity of Hepatitis C Virus in Plasma after Drying and Storing at Room Temperature"
Authors: Kamili S, Krawczynski K, et al.
Source: Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol, May 2007, Vol. 28(5):519-24
Click here for abstract

"Self Reported Risk Behaviour among Injecting Drug Users: Self Versus Assisted Questionnaire Completion"
Authors: White B, Day C, Maher L
Source: AIDS Care, March 2007, Vol. 19(3):441-7
Click here for abstract

"Individual and Couple-Level Risk Factors for Hepatitis C Infection among Heterosexual Drug Users: A Multilevel Dyadic Analysis"
Authors: McMahon JM, Pouget ER, Tortu S
Source: J Infect Dis, June 1, 2007, Vol. 195(11):1572-81
Click here for complete article

"Sex, Drugs, and Hepatitis C Virus"
Author: Hahn JA
Source: J Infect Dis, June 1, 2007, Vol. 195(11):1556-9
Click here for complete editorial