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February 14, 2008
NEW: CDC'S MULTI-VACCINE VIS HAS INFORMATION ON ALL VACCINES ROUTINELY GIVEN TO INFANTS BETWEEN BIRTH AND AGE 6 MONTHS

[The following is cross posted from the Immunization Action Coalition's "IAC EXPRESS" electronic newsletter, 2/4/08.]

On January 30, 2008, CDC posted a multi-vaccine VIS on its website. This new VIS may be used in place of individual VISs whenever routine birth through 6-month vaccines (DTaP, IPV, Hib, hepatitis B, PCV, and rotavirus) are administered, or when combination vaccines are used (e.g., Pediarix or Comvax). You don't need to give all 6 vaccines at one time in order to use this new VIS.

Before you hand this new VIS to the patient, you MUST go to page 1 of the VIS and place a check mark in front of the name of each vaccine you will be administering at that visit.

Using the multi-vaccine VIS is an alternative to providing single-vaccine VISs for each of these six vaccines.

Note that this new multi-vaccine VIS contains four 8-1/2" x 11" pages, in contrast to the standard single-vaccine VIS which contains two pages.

The multi-vaccine VIS is available from the IAC website at
http://www.immunize.org/vis/vis_multi1.pdf

For instructions on how to use this new VIS, go to:
http://www.immunize.org/vis/vis_multi1.asp

To access the VIS from the CDC website, go to:
http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/pubs/vis/downloads/vis-multi.pdf

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
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(2 of 10)
February 14, 2008
NCIRD WEBSITE POSTS UPDATE ON SHORTAGE OF MERCK'S PEDIATRIC AND ADULT HEPATITIS A VACCINES

On February 13, the website of the National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases (NCIRD) posted updated information about the production of Merck's and GSK's pediatric and adult hepatitis A vaccines. The updated information is reprinted below in its entirety.

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Merck & Co., Inc., are experiencing production delays for Pediatric and Adult hepatitis A vaccine (Pediatric & Adult VAQTA). Merck has temporarily discontinued accepting orders for Pediatric VAQTA and Adult VAQTA in the vial formulation. Based on current information, it is estimated that VAQTA will be available in early third quarter 2008 and Adult VAQTA in fourth quarter 2008. GSK production and supply of their Pediatric and Adult hepatitis A vaccine (Pediatric & Adult Havrix) and their Adult hepatitis A/hepatitis B combination vaccine (Twinrix) are currently in good supply to meet demand. GSK has initiated plans to increase production of Havrix and Twinrix, to help ensure uninterrupted supply for the U.S. market.

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To access the update, go to: http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/vac-gen/shortages and scroll down to Note 3.
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(3 of 10)
February 14, 2008
IAC UPDATES SIX PIECES RELATED TO VIRAL HEPATITIS OR GENERAL IMMUNIZATION

IAC recently revised the following six pieces for healthcare professionals.

1) "Hepatitis B Facts: Testing and Vaccination"
IAC made minor changes to this piece.

To access a ready-to-print (PDF) version of it, go to:
http://www.immunize.org/catg.d/p2110.pdf

2) "Screening Questionnaire for Child and Teen Immunization"
A new question was added to the questionnaire relating to wheezing and asthma when administering nasal-spray influenza vaccine to children age 2-4 years.

To access a ready-to-print (PDF) version of it, go to:
http://www.immunize.org/catg.d/p4060.pdf

3) "Screening Questionnaire for Adult Immunization"
IAC made a minor change to this resource.

To access a ready-to-print (PDF) version of it, go to:
http://www.immunize.org/catg.d/p4065.pdf

4) "Summary of Recommendations for Childhood and Adolescent Immunization"
IAC revised the following sections of this 3-page document: Td and Tdap, HPV, varicella, MMR, influenza, and Hib.

To access a ready-to-print (PDF) version of it, go to:
http://www.immunize.org/catg.d/p2010.pdf

5) "Summary of Recommendations for Adult Immunization"
IAC revised the following sections of this 3-page document: influenza, Td and Tdap, and varicella.

To access a ready-to-print (PDF) version of it, go to:
http://www.immunize.org/catg.d/p2011.pdf

6) "Vaccine Administration Record for Adults"
IAC made minor updates to this piece, including adding Tdap to the example page.

To access a ready-to-print (PDF) version of it, go to:
http://www.immunize.org/catg.d/p2023.pdf
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(4 of 10)
February 14, 2008
FREE "SHOTS 2008" SOFTWARE FOR CHILDHOOD, ADOLESCENT, AND CATCH-UP IMMUNIZATION SCHEDULES NOW AVAILABLE

[The following is cross posted from the Immunization Action Coalition's "IAC EXPRESS" electronic newsletter, 2/11/08.]

The "Shots 2008" quick-reference guides to the childhood, adolescent, and catch-up immunization schedules are now available for Palm-OS handhelds and Pocket-PCs handhelds. Both are available on the website of the Group on Immunization Education of the Society of Teachers of Family Medicine.

To access "Shots 2008" for Palm-OS handhelds and Pocket-PCs handhelds, as well as "Shots 2008 Online," go to:
http://www.immunizationed.org/anypage.aspx?pagename=shotshome
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(5 of 10)
February 14, 2008
NEW: SPANISH-LANGUAGE VERSION OF THE CURRENT U.S. RECOMMENDED ADULT IMMUNIZATION SCHEDULE NOW ONLINE

[The following is cross posted from the Immunization Action Coalition's "IAC EXPRESS" electronic newsletter, 2/4/08.]

The 2007-2008 Recommended Adult Immunization Schedule is now available in Spanish and downloaded from the CDC website. The schedule, which was released in English in October 2007, has been approved by the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), the American Academy of Family Physicians, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, and the American College of Physicians.

To access the Spanish-language schedule, click here.

To access CDC's web page featuring both the child and adult schedules in different formats, go to:
http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/recs/schedules
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(6 of 10)
February 14, 2008
PROJECTS IN KNOWLEDGE OFFERS TWO CONTINUING EDUCATION OPPORTUNITIES RELATED TO HEPATITIS B AND ASIAN AMERICANS

Projects in Knowledge is offering the following online continuing education opportunities.

"Bridging Communication Barriers to the Diagnosis and Treatment of HBV in the Asian Community"
http://www.projectsinknowledge.com/cp/Activity/index.cfm?jn=1802&sj=1814

"Expert Insight Into: Why We Should Routinely Screen Asian-American Adults for Hepatitis B: A Cross-Sectional Study of Asians in California"
http://www.projectsinknowledge.com/cp/Activity/index.cfm?jn=1802&sj=1805.06

These activities are designed for gastroenterologists, hepatologists, and other clinicians who care for patients with HBV infection or those at increased risk for acquiring the infection. Individuals completing either activity can earn free CME/CE credit.
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(7 of 10)
February 14, 2008
NATIONAL INFANT IMMUNIZATION WEEK SCHEDULED FOR APRIL 19-26; CDC'S ONLINE RESOURCES MAKE IT EASY TO PROMOTE

[The following is cross posted from the Immunization Action Coalition's "IAC EXPRESS" electronic newsletter, 2/4/08.]

National Infant Immunization Week (NIIW) is an annual observance to highlight the importance of protecting infants from vaccine-preventable diseases and celebrate the achievements of immunization programs and their partners in promoting healthy communities. Since 1994, NIIW has served as a call to action for parents, caregivers, and healthcare providers to ensure that infants are fully immunized against 14 vaccine-preventable diseases. This year NIIW will be held April 19-26, 2008.

Vaccination plays a critical role in safeguarding public health globally. During NIIW 2008, hundreds of communities across the United States will join those in the Western Hemisphere and Europe to celebrate Vaccination Week in the Americas (VWA) and European Immunization Week. More than sixty countries around the world will participate.

Three states--Washington, Rhode Island, and Connecticut--will host special NIIW kick off events. Additionally, bi-national events are being planned along the United States-Mexico border in partnership with CDC, the Pan American Health Organization, the US-Mexico Border Health Commission, state and local health departments, and other immunization partners. They will be joined by hundreds of communities from across the United States in celebrating NIIW through community awareness, healthcare provider education, and media events to promote infant immunizations.

Please visit http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/events/niiw for additional resources on planning an NIIW event and to download English and Spanish-language NIIW campaign materials including print ads, radio public service announcements (PSAs), sample op-ed articles, and other public relations and planning tools. You can also provide information on your 2008 NIIW activities/event via this web page.
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(8 of 10)
February 14, 2008
LATINO ORGANIZATION FOR LIVER AWARENESS SPONSORING NEW YORK CITY
HEPATITIS C WALK

The Latino Organization for Liver Awareness (LOLA) is sponsoring its fourth annual New York City Hepatitis C Walk. This event will take place on May 15, 2008, with registration from 9:00–11:30 a.m. The walk will begin at 12:00 noon at Battery Park and end at City Hall Park. Admission is free. The goal of the walk is to encourage New York City residents to get a free HCV blood test, seek appropriate medical assistance if needed, and obtain support and treatment if necessary.

For more information, go to www.lola-national.org or call (718) 720-4370.
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(9 of 10)
February 14, 2008
AAPCHO SCHEDULES 20TH ANNIVERSARY CONFERENCE FOR MARCH 10-11, IN WASHINGTON, DC

The Association of Asian Pacific Community Health Organizations (AAPCHO) invites everyone to join them in celebrating 20 years of dedication to improving the health status and access of Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders. AAPCHO's "20th Anniversary: Cultivating Traditions of Wellness" National Technical Assistance Conference will be held on March 10-11, in Washington, DC.

For more information about the conference, go to:
http://www.aapcho.org/site/aapcho/section.php?id=11147
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(10 of 10)
February 14, 2008
JOURNAL ARTICLES YOU MAY HAVE MISSED

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

"Natural History of Chronic Hepatitis B: Special Emphasis on Disease Progression and Diagnostic Factors"
Authors: Giovanna F, Bortolotti F, Francesco D
Source: J Hepatol, February 2008, Vol. 48(2):335-52
Click here for abstract.

"Vaccinating Adolescents in High-Risk Settings: Lessons Learned from Experiences with Hepatitis B Vaccine"
Authors: Sneller VP, Fishbein DB, Weinbaum CM, et al.
Source: Pediatrics, January 2008, Vol. 121(Suppl 1):s55-62
Click here for abstract.

"How Effectively Can Health Care Settings beyond the Traditional Medical Home Provide Vaccines to Adolescents?"
Authors: Schaffer SJ, Fontanesi J, Rickert D, et al.
Source: Pediatrics, January 2008, Vol. 121(Suppl 1):s35-45
Click here for abstract.

"Prevalence and Correlates of Indirect Sharing Practices among Young Adult Injection Drug Users in Five U.S. Cities"
Authors: Thiede H, Hagan H, Campbell JV, et al.
Source: Drug Alcohol Depend, November 2007, Vol. 91 (Suppl 1):s39-47
Click here for abstract.

"Development, Description, and Acceptability of a Small-Group, Behavioral Intervention to Prevent HIV and Hepatitis C Virus Infections among Young Adult Injection Drug Users"
Authors: Purcell DW, Garfein RS, Latka MH, et al.
Source: Drug Alcohol Depend, November 2007, Vol. 91 (Suppl 1):s73-80
Click here for abstract.

"Needlestick and Other Potential Blood and Body Fluid Exposures among Health Care Workers in British Columbia, Canada"
Authors: Alamgir H, Cvitkovich Y, Astrakianakis G, et al.
Source: Am J Infect Control, February 2008, Vol.36(1):12-21
Click here for abstract.

"Differences in Knowledge of Hepatitis B among Korean Immigrants in Two Cities in the Rocky Mountain Region"
Authors: Lee HO, Lee OJ, Kim S, Hontz I, Warner A
Source: Asian Nursing Research, December 2007, Vol. 1(3):165-75
Click here for abstract.