| This newsletter is meant to keep you up to date on issues related to vaccines quickly and easily. We welcome your comments and questions at vacinfo@email.chop.edu. |
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Announcements
New and updated Q&A sheets
The following Q&A sheets are now updated or newly available:
- Meningococcus — The revised version removes references to MenHibRix® and includes updated information about the two dose recommendation for type B vaccines. The English version is now available online and can be printed and photocopied. The Spanish version update will be posted in a few weeks, and print versions of both will be available in coming weeks as well.
- Human papillomavirus — The revised version reflects the age-differentiated dosing schedules and removes references to Cervarix® and Gardasil-4®. The English version is available online and can be printed and photocopied. Print versions and Spanish digital versions will follow in the coming weeks.
- Infectious Diseases and Fevers — This new sheet in the Special Topics series answers common questions including:
- What is a fever?
- Which methods are most accurate for measuring a fever?
- What are some causes of fever?
- When is a fever harmful to a child?
- What medications or supportive care can a family use to reduce fevers?
- Is there any harm in treating fevers?
- Why do vaccines cause fevers?
- How should families manage fevers with vaccines?
- Should I give my child medication to prevent a fever before a vaccine visit?
- When should I see a doctor for fever?
The fever sheet, as with other sheets in the Special Topics series, can be printed and photocopied for distribution.
Hilleman documentary on DVD
The Hilleman documentary is now available on DVD and Blu-ray. Each disc also contains the nine computer animations developed for this project. Pricing is based on the quantity ordered:
- 1 – 9: $12/disc plus shipping
- 10 – 99: $10/disc plus shipping
- 100 – 499: $8/disc plus shipping
- 500 or more: $5/disc plus shipping
Shipping charges for orders in the U.S. can be found online at http://vaccine.chop.edu/shipping (refer to “DVD: Vaccines” pricing). For international orders, contact the Vaccine Education Center at 215-590-9990.
The film trailer can be viewed at www.HillemanFilm.com, and the educational units and additional information about the project can be found at www.VaccineMakers.org. The educational materials are free of charge, but you need to register with your email address in order to access the full set of materials.
CHOP podcasts for practitioners
Dr. Offit recently recorded a podcast about meningococcal B for a series offered by CHOP doctor, Katie Lockwood. The series will address issues affecting the daily practice of pediatricians. You can download the podcast or subscribe to the series on iTunes.
Other topics have included:
- Zika virus — discussed with Julia Shaklee Sammons, MD, MSCE, CHOP Epidemiologist and Medical Director of infection control (September 2016)
- Influenza vaccine recommendations for 2016-2017 — discussed with Susan Coffin, MD, MPH, Attending Physician and Clinical Director of the Division of Infectious Diseases at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (September 2016)
Each podcast is accredited for 0.25 AMA PRA Category 2 credits. Find out more about the series or check back for additional podcasts. |
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News and views: Why the change in recommendations related to hepatitis B birth dose?
Charlotte A. Moser, Assistant Director, and Paul A. Offit, Director, Vaccine Education Center at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia
Parents often balk at the idea of giving the hepatitis B vaccine to their newborn infants, citing the sexual nature of disease transmission and the low perceived risk to their new babies. This is also often the first in a string of vaccine-related conversations between parents and providers that will follow.
In response to parental hesitation around this first vaccine, some providers agree to delay it until the one week follow-up appointment. However, at its last meeting, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) voted to strengthen the language around the birth dose of hepatitis B vaccine. The revised language states that the dose should be administered within 24 hours of birth for medically stable infants weighing at least 2000 grams and born to HBsAg-negative mothers. The language around delay of the birth dose was removed.
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In the journals: Autism and flu
Paul A. Offit, MD, Director, Vaccine Education Center at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia
The cause or causes of autism are unknown. Several environmental factors during pregnancy, however, have been associated with an increased risk for this disorder. One such factor is maternal rubella infection. Because natural rubella infection during pregnancy has been shown to increase the risk of autism, Zerbo and coworkers at Kaiser Permanente in Northern California examined the risk of autism in children whose mothers had been infected with influenza virus. These investigators also examined whether influenza immunization during pregnancy increased the risk of autism.
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Technically speaking: Check the archives
Deborah L. Wexler, MD, Executive Director, Immunization Action Coalition
Dr. Wexler will return with new columns in 2017! In the meantime, check out some of her wonderful information from 2016, including:
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From the media: Mumps – Highest numbers in a decade
Mumps has been spreading on college campuses and throughout communities. In fact, the number of cases of mumps in 2016 is the greatest in the last decade. Cases have been reported in the news in the following states since the beginning of November: District of Columbia, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Connecticut, Illinois, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Missouri, New York, Oregon, Texas and Washington.
Learn more about the spread of mumps: Mumps Outbreaks are Worst in a Decade, Melissa Korn, The Wall Street Journal, Dec. 5, 2016 |
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On the calendar
Check out the calendar to find out where meetings are occurring near you.
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Resources
VIS update
The HPV-9 vaccine information statement (VIS) is now available. It is dated 12/2/16. To check that you are giving out the most current VIS, check the CDC’s dedicated VIS page.
Vaccine shortages and delays
The CDC recently updated the chart of vaccines in delay or shortage. The update is related to Tenivac® vaccine (tetanus and diphtheria toxoids adsorbed). This vaccine is expected to become available in the second half of 2017. The demand is not expected to exceed supply based on quantities that will be available from another manufacturer (MassBiologics; distribution by Grifols). To read this update or review previously posted updates, visit the CDC’s vaccine shortages and delays page.
Infographics
A few new infographics are worth checking out:
- From the AAP — An interactive infographic showing a state-by-state comparison of immunization rates for multiple vaccines and the combined series for ages 19 to 35 months allows users to easily compare state laws and vaccine coverage rates. The infographic also shows recent outbreaks of infectious diseases.
Dr. Wendy Sue Swanson also wrote a related blog post that suggests that parents learn about immunization rates in their child’s school and community.
- From NFID — Infographics related to influenza and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) in older adults highlight these diseases in an easy-to-view format available for download. The infographics support an influenza-related call to action report and an NFID report related to RSV in older adults.
- From CDC — A new resource-rich website for immunization partners was recently launched to help centralize the variety of materials the CDC has available. The site includes not only digital tools such as infographics, but also social media content, articles, print materials, videos and more.
The site also features a new infographics about measles and mumps.
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