News and Media Resources:
Immunization Works! January 2008 issue
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Immunization Works Monthly Update is provided to national health care provider and consumer groups for distribution to their members and constituencies. The immunization information provided is non-proprietary and is encouraged to be widely disseminated and shared.
Front Page News
Updated Childhood/Adolescent Immunization Schedules:
The Recommended Immunization Schedules for Persons 0-18 and the catch-up immunization schedule for 2008 have just been approved by the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, American Academy of Family Physicians (exit), and American Academy of Pediatrics (exit).
The childhood schedule expands the recommendation for the nasal spray influenza vaccine, FluMist, to include healthy children from 2 to 5 years of age who are healthy and don’t have a history of asthma or wheezing. The vaccine, which contains a weakened form of the live virus and is sprayed in the nose, had previously been limited to healthy children 5 years of age and older and healthy adults up to age 50.
Meningococcal Conjugate Vaccine (MCV4) is now recommended for routine vaccination for children 11 – 12 years of age and of adolescents 13-18 years of age who have not been previously vaccinated and other people at increased risk of meningococcal disease, including college freshmen living in dorms and military recruits.
This recommendation modifies and simplifies the previous recommendation for routine vaccination with MCV4 of children at 11-12 years of age, adolescents before high school entry (approximately 15 years of age), and other people at increased risk.
The new schedule also updates recommendations for use of pneumococcal vaccine. Healthy children 24 through 59 months of age who are incompletely vaccinated should receive one dose of PCV4. More information about the schedule can be found in the full article in CDC's Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR).
Other News and Summaries
Interim Recommendations for Hib Vaccine:
In December, Merck & Co., Inc. announced a voluntary recall of certain lots of two Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) conjugate vaccines, PedvaxHIB® (monovalent Hib vaccine) and Comvax® (Hib/hepatitis B vaccine). Providers should return unused vaccine from these recalled lots using procedures outlined on the Merck website (exit). Consult the CDC FAQs about Hib Recall for additional information about the affected lots. Merck has suspended production of its Hib conjugate vaccines and does not expect to resume distribution of these vaccines until the fourth quarter of 2008. The recall of PedvaxHIB and Comvax and suspension of production are expected to result in short-term disruption to the Hib vaccine supply in the United States. As a result, CDC, in consultation with the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, American Academy of Family Physicians (exit), and American Academy of Pediatrics (exit), has issued the following recommendations:
- Defer administering the routine Hib vaccine booster administered at age 12-15 months except for specified high-risk groups.
- Certain children at increased risk for Hib disease, including children with asplenia, sickle cell disease, human immunodeficiency virus infection, and certain other immunodeficiency syndromes, and malignant neoplasms should continue to receive the full routinely recommended schedule including the 12-15 month booster dose.
- American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) children should also continue to receive the full routinely recommended schedule including the 12-15 month booster dose. Providers who currently use PRP-OMP-containing Hib vaccines (PedvaxHib and Comvax) to serve predominantly AI/AN children in AI/AN communities should continue to use only PRP-OMP-containing Hib vaccines.
- Providers should register and track children for whom the booster dose is deferred to facilitate recalling them for vaccination when supply improves.
More information can be found in the full article in CDC’s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly report. Providers are also encouraged to share a new fact sheet, Q&As for Parents about the Recall of Hib Vaccine, with parents who have questions about the recall.
New International Certificate for Yellow Fever Vaccine:
In response to the 2005 revision of the International Health Regulations (IHR 2005), as of December 15, 2007, a new International Certificate of Vaccination or Prophylaxis (ICVP) has replaced the old certificates. The new certificate provides space for potential certification of additional types of vaccination or prophylaxis to protect against newly emerging or reemerging diseases or other events of public health importance. However, the only vaccination currently required to be indicated on the ICVP is for yellow fever.
Yellow fever vaccine is required under IHR 2005 by certain countries for entry, and the new ICVP is required for any yellow fever vaccination administered beginning December 15, 2007. Persons vaccinated before that date may use the old certificate until it expires 10 years from the date of vaccination. Information about how to order the new certificates can be found in the Notice to Readers in CDC’s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.
Meetings, Conferences & Resources
Upcoming Netconference:
Please mark your calendars for the January 17, 2008 Netconference from CDC’s National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases (NCIRD). The netconference, to take place from 12:00 noon to 1:00 PM Eastern time, will focus on Zoster and Zoster Vaccine, and Adolescent Vaccine Recommendations. Registration is required. More information about this program and other CDC training opportunities can be found at the CDC Vaccine Education and Training Website
Next ACIP Meeting:
The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) will hold its next meeting on February 27-28, 2008 at the CDC in Atlanta, Georgia. This meeting is open to the general public, but advanced registration is required. More information can be found on the ACIP Website
Get Ready for NIC:
The 42nd National Immunization Conference (NIC) will be held from March 17–20, 2008 in Atlanta, Georgia, and will be comprised of six topic tracks: Adolescent and Adult Vaccination, Epidemiology and New Vaccines, Health and Risk Communication, Immunization Information Systems, Influenza, and Programmatic Issues, and Health and Risk Communication. Abstract submission is now closed. More information can be found on the NIC Website. Or, questions can be addressed to the Conference Planning Team at nipnic@cdc.gov
Call for Abstracts for Coalitions Conference:
Register now for the 8th National Conference on Immunization and Health Coalitions. The conference will be held in San Francisco, CA from May 21-23, 2008. This year’s conference will be expanded to include participants across all health issues. Visit the Coalition Conference Website (exit), for more information about the conference and how to submit an abstract.
On-Site Training in Atlanta:
A two-day Epidemiology and Prevention of Vaccine-Preventable Diseases course will be held in Atlanta on April 15 - 16, 2008 at CDC. Space is limited. Questions can be directed to Laverne Graham at 404-639-8225.
New Materials from CDC:
Free paper copies of the Parents Guide to Childhood Immunization, 2008, are now available for order in limited quantities. The guide is a 68-page color booklet covering all routine vaccinations for young children. Also, laminated pocket-size and full size versions of the Recommended Adult Immunization Schedules, 2007-2008, are now available. To order these and other vaccine materials from CDC, please go to the Online Order Form (exit).
CDC Training Opportunities:
Through established programs, CDC offers many unique training opportunities in infectious disease, including international opportunities. For a current listing of CDC training opportunities, please visit the CDC Public Health Training Website
CDC Job Openings:
CDC is committed to recruiting and hiring qualified candidates for a wide range of immunization positions. Researchers, Medical Officers and Epidemiologists as well as other specialties are often needed to fill positions within CDC. For a current listing of positions available at CDC, including international opportunities, please visit the CDC Employment Website
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Content last reviewed on January 15, 2008
Content Source: National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases
