News and Media Resources:
2002 Immunization News
December 2002
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration FDA Talk Paper Dec. 17, 2002
FDA Approves New Combination Vaccine for Childhood Immunization (exit)
On December 16, 2002 the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced the approval of a new combination vaccine that protects infants against diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis (whooping cough), polio, and disease due to the Hepatitis B virus. The vaccine will be marketed under the name Pediarix™, and can be given to infants at two, four and six months of age. Manufactured by GlaxoSmithKline, Pediarix™ offers protection against these five diseases in a three-dose vaccination series. This combination vaccine results in up to six fewer injections for infants. For more information go to the GlaxoSmithKline Web site at www.gsk.com/ (exit) or the FDA Web site at www.fda.gov/bbs/topics/ANSWERS/2002/ANS01181.html (exit) 
December 13, 2002
Measles Outbreak Among Internationally Adopted Children Arriving in the U.S., February-March 2001
This report summarizes the results of multistate contact investigations that identified 14 United States measles cases and outlines measures taken in the U.S. and China to control and prevent measles transmission...- December 6, 2002
Update: Influenza Activity - U.S., 2001-02 Season
This report summarizes influenza activity in the United States during the weeks ending October 5-November 23, 2002. Influenza activity was low during this period but is expected to increase during the coming weeks. Vaccine supplies are plentiful this year, and vaccination should continue throughout December and the remainder of the influenza season... See Erratum 
December 4, 2002
In HIV Vaccine Efforts, New Strategies and Patience Are Needed in Equal Measure (exit)
On one hand, with 40 million people infected worldwide with HIV and the number growing by some 15 000 newly infected individuals each day, the need for a vaccine has never been more urgent. On the other hand, there are a number of hurdles that have made HIV vaccine research a painfully slow process that demands...
November 2002
- November 29, 2002
Progress Toward Poliomyelitis Eradication - Ethiopia, Somalia, and Sudan, January 2001-October 2002
Since the World Health Assembly resolved in May 1988 to eradicate poliomyelitis, the estimated number of polio cases globally has declined > 99%. Ethiopia, Somalia, and Sudan are approaching interruption of transmission. This report summarizes progress made... - November 15, 2002
Influenza and Pneumococcal Vaccination Levels Among Persons Aged >65 Years - U.S., 2001
Influenza vaccination levels during 2000-2001 decreased from 1998-1999 levels in 27 of 52 reporting areas; pneumococcal vaccination prevalence increased a median of 7 percentage points from 1999 to 2001. Continued efforts are needed to increase the proportion of older adults who receive influenza and pneumococcal vaccines... - November 15, 2002
Use of Anthrax Vaccine in Response to Terrorism: Supplemental Recommendations of the ACIP
In December 2000, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) released its recommendations for using anthrax vaccine in the United States. Because of recent terrorist attacks involving the intentional exposure of U.S. civilians to Bacillus anthracis spores and concerns that the current anthrax vaccine supply is limited, ACIP developed supplemental recommendations on using anthrax vaccine in response to terrorism... - November 8, 2002
Yellow Fever Vaccine Recommendations of ACIP, 2002
This report updates CDC's recommendations for using yellow fever vaccine (CDC. Yellow Fever Vaccine: Recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunizations Practices (ACIP): MMWR 1990;39[No. RR-6]1-6). The 2002 recommendations include new or updated information...
- November 8, 2002
Adverse Events Associated with 17D-Derived Yellow Fever Vaccination - U.S., 2001-2002
In June 2001, seven cases of yellow fever vaccine-associated viscerotropic disease in recipients of 17D-derived yellow fever vaccine (YEL) were reported to the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP). This report summarizes the preliminary surveillance findings... - November 8, 2002
Global Progress Toward Laboratory Containment of Wild Polioviruses - July 2001-August 2002
Since the World Health Assembly launched the Global Poliomyelitis Eradication Initiative in 1988 the number of countries in which wild poliovirus is endemic has decreased from 125 to 10 in 2001. This report describes preparations for laboratory containment and summarizes global progress since July 2001...
October 2002
- October 25, 2002
25th Anniversary of the Last Case of Naturally Acquired Smallpox
On October 26, 1977, the last case of naturally acquired smallpox occurred in the Merca District of Somalia. In May 1980, the World Health Assembly certified the world free of naturally occurring smallpox. Improvements in public health that were results of the smallpox eradication program continue today... - IOM Report October 22, 2002
Immunization Safety Review: SV40 Contamination of Polio Vaccine and Cancer (exit)
Some of the polio vaccine administered from 1955-1963 was contaminated with a virus called simian virus 40 (SV40). Most, but not all, of the contamination was in the inactivated polio vaccine (IPV)... - October 18, 2002
Pneumococcal Vaccination for Cochlear Implant Recipients
Because preliminary data suggest a higher risk for pneumococcal meningitis in cochlear implant recipients, CDC recommends that all persons with cochlear implants receive age-appropriate vaccination against pneumococcal disease...
- October 16, 2002
Contact Vaccinia--Transmission of Vaccinia From Smallpox Vaccination
(exit)
Concern that smallpox virus might be used as a biological weapon has led to proposals that smallpox vaccination be offered to at least some of the US population... - IOM Report October 15, 2002
An Assessment of the CDC Anthrax Vaccine Safety and Efficacy Research Program (exit)
Acknowledging both the need to protect military personnel and the concerns about Anthrax Vaccine Adsorbed (AVA), Congress directed the CDC to carry out a research program on the safety and efficicy of the anthrax vaccine... - October 11, 2002
Recommended Adult Immunization Schedule - U.S., 2002-2003
Substantial vaccine-preventable morbidity and mortality from diseases such as hepatitis A, hepatitis B, influenza, and pneumococcal infections continue to occur among adults. In February 2002, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) approved for the first time a schedule for the routine vaccination of persons aged > 19 years... - October 4, 2002
Update: Influenza Activity - U.S. and Worldwide, June-September, 2002
During June-September 2002, influenza A (H3N2) and B viruses circulated worldwide and were associated with mild to moderate levels of disease activity...
September 2002
- September 27, 2002
Expansion of Eligibility for Influenza Vaccine Through the Vaccines for Children Program
On June 20, 2002, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) adopted a resolution expanding the group of children eligible for influenza vaccine coverage under the Vaccines for Children (VFC) program...
- September 27, 2002
Advancing the Health of Women: Prevention, Practice, and Policy Conference
CDC, the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, the Chronic Disease Directors Women's Health Council, and Emory University's Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing will present Advancing the Health of Women: Prevention, Practice, and Policy October 7-9, 2002, in Atlanta, Georgia. The conference focuses on women's health issues and helping women live healthier lives... - September 27, 2002
Updated Post - Event Smallpox Response Plan and Guidelines
CDC has released an updated version of the post-event Smallpox Response Plan and Guidelines. Version 3 of the guidelines includes the "Smallpox Vaccination Clinic Guide"... - September 27, 2002
National Adult Immunization Awareness Week, October 13-19, 2002
This year's National Adult Immunization Awareness Week (NAIAW) will be October 13-19. NAIAW highlights the influenza vaccination season and emphasizes the need to intensify efforts to vaccinate adults and adolescents. The recommendations cover vaccination of adults and adolescents against diphtheria, hepatitis A and B... - September 20, 2002
Progress Toward Poliomyelitis Eradication - India, Bangladesh, and Nepal, January 2001-June 2002
Since the World Health Assembly resolved in May 1988 to eradicate poliomyelitis, the estimated incidence of polio has decreased > 99%...
August 2002
- August 30, 2002
Progress Toward Poliomyelitis Eradication - Angola, January 1998-June 2002
Since the World Health Assembly resolved in 1988 to eradicate poliomyelitis, the estimated number of polio cases worldwide has declined >99%. Angola began polio eradication in 1996... - August 30, 2002
Immunization Registry Process - United States, 2002
Immunization registries are confidential, population-based, computerized information systems that collect vaccination data about all children within a geographic area. Providing complete and accurate information for vaccination decisions, registries are key tools... - August 30, 2002
Outbreak of Measles - Venezuela & Columbia, 2001-2002
Substantial progress has been made toward interrupting indigenous measles transmission in the Region of the Americas. In 2001, the number of confirmed measles cases in the region reached a record low of 537 cases... - August 23, 2002
West Nile Virus Activity - U.S., August 15-21, 2002
This report summarizes West Nile virus (WNV) surveillance data reported to CDC through ArboNET and by states and other jurisdictions as of 7:30 a.m. Mountain Daylight Time, August 21, 2002... - August 9, 2002
National Syndromic Surveillance Conference
The National Syndromic Surveillance Conference will be held September 23-24, 2002, at the New York Academy of Medicine in New York City. The conference is sponsored by the New York Academy of Medicine, the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, and CDC, with the support of the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation... - August 2, 2002
Resumption of Routine Schedule for Varicella Vaccine
Supplies of varicella vaccine (VARIVAX®) in the U.S. have become sufficient to permit the resumption of the routine schedule as recommended by the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP). Childcare and school attendance provisions requiring children to receive the varicella vaccine should be reinstituted... - August 2, 2002
Impact of Vaccine Shortage on Diphtheria and Tetanus Toxoids and Acellular Pertussis Vaccine Coverage Rates Among Children Aged 24 Months - Puerto Rico, 2002
This report summarizes the results of the survey, which indicate that the DTaP4 coverage level was substantially lower in 2002 than in 2001. Now that supplies have returned to normal levels, the routine schedule for DTaP vaccination of children should be resumed, and data from national and local immunization surveys will be used to monitor post-shortage vaccination levels... - August 2, 2002
National, State, and Urban Area Vaccination Coverage Levels Among Children Aged 19-35 Months - U.S., 2001
This report presents the National Immunization Survey (NIS) findings for 2001, which indicate a substantial nationwide increase in coverage with >1 dose of varicella vaccine (VAR), generally steady coverage for other vaccines nationwide, and wide variability in coverage among the states and urban areas covered by NIS...
July 2002
- July 26, 2002
National Laboratory Inventory as Part of Global Poliovirus Containment - U.S., June 2002
Since the initiation of the global poliomyelitis initiative, the number of countries where polio is endemic decreased from 125 to 10, and the number of reported polio cases decreased >99%. The Global Commission for the Certification of the Eradication of Poliomyelitis, will declare the world polio-free... - July 19, 2002
Tetanus - Puerto Rico, 2002
During February-May 2002, the Puerto Rico Department of Health (PRDOH) received reports of three tetanus cases, two of which were fatal. This report summarizes the investigations of these three cases, which underscore that health-care providers should ensure that all patients have been vaccinated fully... - July 19, 2002
Pertussis Deaths - United States, 2000
This report summarizes the investigations of two pertussis deaths in 2000... - July 19, 2002
Hepatitis B Vaccination Among High-Risk Adolescents and Adults - San Diego, California, 1998-2001
This report describes the initial findings of a hepatitis B vaccination program for potentially high-risk adolescents and adults conducted in areas of San Diego County, California. The findings indicate that high rates of hepatitis B vaccination can be achieved... - July 19, 2002
Public Health Dispatch: Poliomyelitis - Madagascar,2002
Surveillance for acute flaccid paralysis (AFP) in Madagascar has detected a cluster of four cases of paralytic poliomyelitis from which type-2 vaccine-derived polioviruses have been isolated. Preliminary data indicate that these patients had onset of paralysis during March-April, 2002... - July 19, 2002
Erratum: Vol. 51, No. 27 (Resumption of Routine Schedule for Diphtheria and Tetanus Toxoids and Acellular Pertussis Vaccine and for Measles, Mumps, and Rubella Vaccine)
On page 599 under the heading "DTaP Vaccine," an error occurred in the first sentence of the second paragraph... - July 12, 2002
Resumption of Routine Schedule for Diphtheria and Tetanus Toxoids and Acellular Pertussis Vaccine and for Measles, Mumps, and Rubella Vaccine
Health care providers should be advised that, for the next 2 months, supply might not be adequate for ambitious recall or special initiative programs. Child care and school attendance provisions requiring children to receive a DTaP booster and a second dose of MMR vaccine at age 4-6 years can be reinstituted... See Erratum - July 5, 2002
Food and Drug Administration Approval of a Fifth Acellular Pertussis Vaccine for Use Among Infants and Young Children - United States, 2002
On May 14, 2002, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved for use an additional combined diphtheria and tetanus toxoids and acellular pertussis vaccine (DTaP) (DAPTACEL™ Aventis Pasteur, Ltd. [Toronto, Ontario]) for the first 4 doses of the diphtheria and tetanus toxoids and pertussis vaccination (DTP) series administered to infants and children aged 6 weeks-6 years (before seventh birthday). DAPTACEL™ is the fifth acellular pertussis vaccine to be licensed... - July 5, 2002
Certification of Poliomyelitis Eradication - European Region, June 2002
On June 21, 2002, the Regional Commission for the Certification of Poliomyelitis Eradication (the Commission) certified that the European Region (EUR)* of the World Health Organization (WHO) is free of indigenous wild poliovirus transmission...
June 2002
- June 28, 2002
Achievements in Public Health: Hepatitis B Vaccination - U.S., 1982-2002
This year marks the 20th anniversary of the implementation in the United States of the world's first vaccine against hepatitis B virus (HBV). In addition to acute disease, persons infected with HBV are at risk for chronic HBV infection and severe morbidity and mortality from cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. Before 1982, about 200,000-300,000 persons in the U.S. were infected annually... - June 28, 2002
Erratum: Vol. 51, No. RR-3 (Prevention and Control of Influenza: Recommendations of the ACIP)
MMWR "Prevention and Control of Influenza: Recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices," published on April 12, 2002, contained an inconsistency in the recommended timing of vaccination of target groups... - June 26, 2002
Content and Design Attributes of Antivaccination Web Sites (exit)
Many Web sites that oppose childhood vaccinations appeal to readers' emotions when trying to convey their message, and include claims about vaccination that are not supported by studies from peer-reviewed medical journals, according to researchers... (JAMA. 2002;287:3245-3248) - June 21, 2002
Resumption of Routine Schedule for Tetanus and Diphtheria Toxoids
The supply of adult tetanus and diphtheria toxoids (Td) in the United States has become sufficient to permit the resumption of the routine schedule for Td use as recommended by the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP). Adolescents and adults for whom routine Td booster doses were deferred should be recalled by their health-care providers to receive the delayed dose. School attendance provisions requiring students to have received a Td booster at age >11 years can be reinstituted... - June 21, 2002
National Immunization Program and Public
Health Training Network Satellite Broadcast and Webcast
CDC will present "The Immunization Encounter: Critical Issues," a live satellite broadcast and webcast, on June 27, 2002, from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. (EST). This program will address issues related to a routine vaccination clinic encounter, including... - June 21, 2002
Progress Toward Poliomyelitis Eradication - Pakistan and Afghanistan, January 2000-April 2002
Although polio remains endemic in the two countries, both the incidence and the geographic distribution of poliovirus have been reduced substantially. Both countries aim to stop transmission of poliovirus by the end of 2002; however, the unstable security situation in the region might threaten this success... - June 14, 2002
Update: Influenza Activity - U.S. and Worldwide, 2001-2002 Season, and Composition of the 2002-2003 Influenza Vaccine
This report summarizes influenza activity in the United States (Sept. 30, 2001-May 18, 2002) and worldwide (October-May) during the 2001-02 influenza season and describes the composition of the 2002-03 influenza vaccine... - June 7, 2002
Progress Toward Poliomyelitis Eradication - Nigeria, January 2000-March 2002
This report summarizes the progress toward polio eradication in Nigeria during January 2000-March 2002, highlighting achievements in acute flaccid paralysis (AFP) surveillance and evidence indicating reduced poliovirus transmission. The findings underscore the importance of ensuring a rapid flow of surveillance information to guide program activities...
May 2002
- IOM Report May 30, 2002
Institute of Medicine (IOM) Report-Immunization Safety Review: Hepatitis B Vaccine & Demyelinating Neurological Disorders
This report concluded that the Committee favors rejection of a causal relationship between the hepatitis B vaccine and multiple sclerosis. The evidence was inadequate to accept or reject a causal relationship between the hepatitis B vaccine and other known specific demyelinating conditions... - May 3, 2002
Laboratory Surveillance for Wild Poliovirus and Vaccine-Derived Poliovirus, 2000-2001
This report summarizes the laboratory data for documenting the decline in wild poliovirus transmission and the occurrence of vaccine-derived polioviruses and highlights the expanding role of the laboratory network in global polio eradication...
April 2002
- April 12, 2002
Prevention and Control of Influenza: Recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) This report updates the 2001 recommendations by the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) regarding the use of influenza vaccine and antiviral agents. The 2002 recommendations include new or updated information regarding ... See Erratum - April 12, 2002
Epi Info 2000: A Course for Developers of Public Health Information Systems CDC and Emory University's Rollins School of Public Health will co-sponsor a course, "Developing Public Health Software Applications Using Epi Info 2000," during May 14-17, 2002, at Emory University. The course is designed for practitioners of epidemiology and computing with intermediate to advanced computing skills who wish to develop software applications using Epi Info 2000 for Windows 95, 98, NT, and 2000. The 4-day course covers hands-on experience with the new Windows version of Epi Info, programming Epi Info software at the intermediate to advanced level, and computerized interactive exercises for developing a public health information system... - April 12, 2002
Epidemiology in Action
CDC and Emory University's Rollins School of Public Health will co-sponsor a course, "Epidemiology in Action," during April 29-May 10, 2002. The course is designed for state and local public health professionals. The course emphasizes the practical application of epidemiology to public health problems and will consist of lectures, workshops, classroom exercises, and roundtable discussions... - April 12, 2002
Progress Toward Poliomyelitis Eradication - Egypt 2001 This report summarizes progress toward polio eradication from 1997 through 2001 in Egypt, where several independent chains of wild poliovirus type 1 continue to circulate despite a long history of eradication efforts. The findings indicate the need to improve surveillance and vaccination activities... - April 5, 2002
Update: Influenza Activity - U.S., 2001-02 Season
Although data collected from the four components of the CDC influenza surveillance system* are preliminary, national influenza activity appears to have peaked during the week ending February 23, 2002 (week 8)...
March 2002
- March 29, 2002
Progress Toward Global Eradication of Poliomyelitis, 2001
From the initiation of the global poliomyelitis eradication initiative in 1988 through 2001, the number of countries where polio is endemic decreased from 125 to 10, and the number of reported polio cases decreased by >99% from an estimated 350,000 to <1,000. Wild type 2 poliovirus has not been detected worldwide since October 1999... - March 22, 2002
Progress Toward Elimination of Haemophilus influenzae Type b Invasive Disease Among Infants and Children - United States, 1998-2000
Hib conjugate vaccines became available in 1988...by 1996, incidence of Hib invasive disease...among children aged <5 years had declined by >99%. This report presents 1998-2000 Haemophilus influenzae (Hi) surveillance data, which indicate that the incidence of reported Hib invasive disease remains low.
- March 8, 2002
Shortage of Varicella and Measles, Mumps and Rubella Vaccines and Interim Recommendations from the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices
A temporary shortage of varicella (VARIVAX®) and combined measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) (M-M-R II®) vaccines in the United States has resulted... - March 8, 2002
Availability of Continuing Education CD-ROM Program on Strategies to Increase Adult Vaccination Rates
The Association of Teachers of Preventive Medicine (ATPM) and the National Immunization Program (NIP)/CDC have released "Increasing Adult Vaccination Rates: WhatWorks," an interactive instructional program on CD-ROM...
February 2002
- IOM Report February 20, 2002
Institute of Medicine (IOM) Report-Immunization Safety Review: Multiple Immunizations & Immune Dysfunction
The conclusions of this report were 1) A review of the available scientific evidence does not support the hypothesis that the infant immune system is inherently incapable of handling the number of antigens that children are exposed to during routine immunizations, 2)... -
February 20, 2002
ACIP Recommends Prioritization for Varicella (Chickenpox) Vaccine Use
The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) on Wednesday, February 20, 2002, voted to recommend prioritizing use of limited supplies of varicella vaccine because of a shortage in the United States... - February 15, 2002
Measles - United States, 2000
This report describes the epidemiology of measles in the United States during 2000 and documents the continued absence of endemic measles and the continued risk for internationally imported measles cases that might result in indigenous transmission... - February 15, 2002
Status of U.S. Dept of Defense Preliminary Evaluation of the Assoc of Anthrax Vaccination & Congenital Anomalies
The U.S. Department of Defense, Center for Deployment Health Research at Naval Health Research Center, San Diego, used computerized medical records to conduct a preliminary evaluation of the potential association between the use of anthrax vaccine in the first trimester of pregnancy and the diagnosis of congenital anomalies in children...
- February 1, 2002
Fifth Annual Conference on Vaccine Research
The Fifth Annual Conference on Vaccine Research: Basic Science - Product Development - Clinical and Field Studies will be held May 6-8, 2002, in Baltimore, Maryland. The conference is sponsored by the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases (NFID) in collaboration with CDC and seven other national and international agencies, institutes, and organizations involved in conducting and/or promoting research, development, and use of vaccines and associated technologies for the prevention of human and veterinary diseases... - February 1, 2002
Update: Influenza Activity - United States, 2001-02 Season
Although influenza activity in the U.S. remained low from October through mid-January, the number and percentage of specimens testing positive for influenza viruses have increased in recent weeks. Laboratory-confirmed influenza infections have been reported from 45 states. The predominant influenza viruses isolated this season have been type A (H3N2) viruses that are well matched by this season's influenza vaccine... - February 1, 2002
Pertussis - United States, 1997-2000
This report summarizes national surveillance data for pertussis during 1997-2000 and assesses the effectiveness of pertussis vaccination in the U.S. during this period. The findings indicate that pertussis incidence continues to increase in infants too young to receive 3 doses of pertussis-containing vaccine and in adolescents and adults. Prevention efforts should be directed at maintaining high vaccination rates and managing pertussis cases and outbreaks...
January 2002
- PEDIATRICS January 2002
Addressing Parents' Concerns: Do Multiple Vaccines Overwhelm or Weaken Infant's Immune System? (exit)
Examines the following: 1) the ontogeny of the active immune response...; 2) the theoretic capacity of an infant’s immune system; 3) data that demonstrate that mild or moderate illness does not interfere with an infant’s ability to generate protective immune responses to vaccines; 4) how infants respond to vaccines given in combination compared with the same vaccines given separately; 5) data showing that vaccinated children are not more likely to develop infections with other pathogens than unvaccinated children; and 6) the fact that infants actually encounter fewer antigens in vaccines today than they did 40 or 100 years ago... - January 25, 2002
Immunization Registry Use and Progress - United States, 2001
Immunization registries are confidential, population-based, computerized information systems that collect vaccination data about all children within a geographic area. Registries are key tools used to increase and sustain high vaccination coverage by providing complete and accurate information on which to base vaccination decisions... - January 18, 2002
Recommended Childhood Immunization Schedule - United States, 2002
This report presents the recommended childhood immunization schedule for 2002, the format has remained the same in content since January 2001.. - January 4, 2002
Update: Supply of Diphtheria and Tetanus Toxoids and Acellular Pertussis Vaccine
Diphtheria and tetanus toxoids and acellular pertussis vaccine (DTaP) remains in short supply, and the shortage will continue into mid-2002. Shortages are greatest in the public sector. Despite high vaccination rates, pertussis continues to cause serious illness and death, particularly among infants aged <6 months who are too young to have completed the 3-dose primary series of DTaP. In 2000, a total of 1,873 pertussis cases...
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This page last modified on December 26, 2007
This page archived for historical purposes January 30, 2007
Content Source: National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases
This page archived for historical purposes January 30, 2007
Content Source: National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases