2010 Immunization News ArchiveNational Immunization Awareness Month
July 20, 2010 -- The Bureau of Immunization, in collaboration with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), is announcing the deadline for the final ordering and distribution of 2009 novel H1N1 influenza vaccines. (Return Deadline) Rotavirus Vaccine is Now Contraindicated for Infants Diagnosed with Severe Combined ImmunodeficiencyJune 25, 2010 -- The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) published Addition of Severe Combined Immunodeficiency as a Contraindication for Administration of Rotavirus Vaccine in the MMWR (June 11, 2010 / 59(22); 687-688). (Rotavirus Contraindicated) Update: National Vaccine Recovery Program for H1N1 Influenza VaccinesThe Bureau of Immunization is pleased to provide this updated information on the National Vaccine Recovery Program for H1N1 influenza vaccines. (Vaccine Recovery Program) FDA Revises Recommendations for Rotavirus VaccinesMay 17, 2010 -- The Bureau of Immunization is pleased to bring to your attention this important updated information concerning licensed vaccines against rotavirus, released by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). (Rotavirus Vaccine) ACIP Recommendations for Use of Combination Measles-Mumps-Rubella-Varicella VaccineMay 13, 2010 -- The Bureau of Immunization is pleased to bring to your attention an important report published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on May 7, 2010, in the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR Weekly / Vol. 59 / No. RR3). The report, Use of Combination Measles, Mumps, Rubella, and Varicella Vaccine - Recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) (page 1 - 12), presents the recommendations and use of the combination measles-mumps- rubella-varicella vaccine (MMRV, ProQuad, Merck & Co., Inc.). (MMRV) Vaccines for Children (VFC) Program Vaccine AvailabilityMay 5, 2010 -- The Bureau of Immunization is pleased to announce the availability of additional vaccines for ordering through the VFC Program. Effective Wednesday, May 5, 2010, the following vaccines are available for ordering:
Effective Monday, May 10, 2010, the following vaccine is available for ordering:
The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommendations are available at www.cdc.gov/vaccines/pubs/ACIP-list.htm. Vaccine Information Statements for these vaccines are available at www.cdc.gov/vaccines/pubs/vis/default.htm. The updated VFC Vaccine Report Form is available on the VFC Program's website Forms page. Scroll down to "Vaccine Reporting Forms" and click on your appropriate ordering schedule. 2010 National Infant Immunization Week (NIIW) Nationwide, immunization levels remain high and vaccine-preventable diseases are at an all-time low. In 2008, Florida’s immunization coverage level for children aged two was 83.4 percent. The bureau urges providers and parents not to become complacent, since approximately 15 percent of Florida’s children are not fully immunized by age two. Vaccines are among the most successful and cost-effective public health tools available for preventing disease and death. They not only help protect vaccinated individuals, but also help protect entire communities by preventing and reducing the spread of infectious diseases. Immunization is a shared responsibility. Families, healthcare providers, and public health officials must work together to help protect the entire community. Vaccines not only prevent disease, they reduce the costs associated with missed time from work, doctor visits, and hospitalizations. Healthcare providers play a critical role in educating parents about the importance of immunization and ensuring that infants are fully immunized. Because of the success of vaccines in preventing disease in the U.S., parents are often unaware that their children are at risk for so many serious and life-threatening diseases. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has educational and promotional materials at www.cdc.gov/vaccines/events/niiw/ and www.cdc.gov/vaccines/events/niiw/2010/materials.htm. Parents are encouraged to talk to their healthcare provider to ensure that their infant is up-to-date on immunizations. Infants are particularly vulnerable to infectious diseases; that is why it is critical to protect them through immunization. Each day, nearly 12,000 babies are born in the U.S. who will need to be immunized against 14 vaccine-preventable diseases before age two. Our nation's success in achieving high levels of infant immunization coverage is the result of the work that local health departments, immunization coalitions, individual healthcare professionals, parents and other partners do throughout the year. The bureau encourages you to promote NIIW at the local level and thanks you for your continued commitment to ensure all children have a healthy childhood free from vaccine-preventable diseases. Five NIIW posters are available for download and reproduction on our Publications Website. 2010 Immunization News ArchiveVaccine Information Statement NewsApril 22, 2010 -- The Bureau of Immunization is pleased to highlight the recent publication of the 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate (PCV13) Vaccine Information Statement (VIS). (PCV13 VIS) Recommended Vaccine Strains for the 2010-2011 Trivalent Influenza VaccineApril 16, 2010 -- The Bureau of Immunization would like to bring to your attention the following information presented by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention regarding the World Health Organization's (WHO) recommendations for the composition of the trivalent influenza vaccine for the 2010-2011 influenza season. (Flu Strains) World Meningitis Day 2010
Meningitis is the inflammation of the lining around the brain and spinal cord. Septicaemia is the blood poisoning form of the disease. The two forms of the disease have different symptoms and can kill in hours. People who recover from meningitis and septicaemia may be left with a range of after effects that dramatically alter their lives. The CoMO was created out of a need to unite across the world in the fight against Meningitis and Septicaemia. Successful vaccinations have been developed over the past 18 years which have made a huge impact in the reduction of the disease; but there is still a lot of work that needs to be done. There are areas of the world which do not have access to these life saving vaccines, and strains of the disease which we are yet to conquer. Meningitis and septicaemia still kills and disables tens of thousands of people every year throughout the world. These are diseases that affect the most vulnerable – babies and young children. Join hands against meningitis on World Meningitis Day on April 24, 2010. Ordering Vaccines for Children Program VaccinesImportant Information Regarding your Publicly-Funded Vaccine OrdersApril 14, 2010 -- The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has restructured how it distributes publicly-funded vaccines to providers to improve efficiency and accountability, reduce costs, and enhance the CDC’s ability to respond to public health emergencies, including shortages, natural disasters, and disease outbreaks. (Ordering Vaccines) Immunization Update: IAC Express, Issue Number 860: "Ask the Experts" InformationApril 12, 2010 -- The Bureau of Immunization is pleased to share the following information from the Immunization Action Coalition (IAC) with our immunization partners. The April 7, 2010 IAC Express: Extra Edition includes updated information from "Ask the Experts" regarding Prevnar 13™, the temporary suspension of Rotarix®, and the 2010-2011 seasonal influenza vaccine. Please pay special attention to the question and answer referencing prophylactic use of acetaminophen prior to or immediately following immunization. "Evidence from a Lancet study would discourage the prophylactic use of acetaminophen prior to or immediately following vaccination. Acetaminophen can be used to treat pain or fever if it should occur following vaccination. In the upcoming 2010 General Recommendations on Immunization, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention will remove all recommendations for prophylactic use of acetaminophen or other analgesics BEFORE or AT THE TIME OF vaccination. AAP has already removed such recommendations from the Red Book." Vaccine Information Statement UpdatesApril 12, 2010 -- The Bureau of Immunization is pleased to highlight recent updates to several vaccine information statements: measles-mumps-rubella-varicella (MMRV), human papillomavirus (HPV), and pneumococcal conjugate vaccine-13 (PCV13). Details can be found at www.cdc.gov/vaccines/pubs/vis/vis-news.htm. Existing stocks may be used up, but be prepared to explain the changes to patients when appropriate. MMRV: A separate VIS for MMRV is in draft form, and is waiting for a couple issues to be resolved before it goes to clearance. We expect it to be available later this year. HPV: Updated VISs are here. VISs for Gardasil® and Cervarix®, dated 3/30/2010, were posted on March 31. These are interim VISs, and replace the single HPV VIS dated 2/2/07. Stocks of this older VIS may be used up, although the updated editions are preferred; it may be supplemented verbally or with written materials as appropriate to inform patients of changes (e.g., use of Gardasil® in males). The new VISs are available at www.cdc.gov/vaccines/pubs/vis/default.htm#hpv. PCV13: Minor changes to the existing PCV VIS will make it applicable for the newly licensed PCV13. These changes are underway, and the new VIS should be ready soon. In the meantime, keep using the current one; contraindications and the adverse event profile for PCV7 also apply to PCV13. Healthcare providers should periodically access the VIS electronically and print out a supply for routine distribution. If necessary, bureau staff can FAX copies to providers without internet access. Links to the latest VIS can be found at:
U.S. Court of Federal Claims - Special Masters Ruling on Vaccines and AutismMarch 29, 2010 -- The Bureau of Immunization wishes to bring to your attention the following important information concerning vaccine safety, specifically the March 10, 2010 ruling by U.S. Court of Federal Claims Special Masters that thimerosal-containing vaccines do not cause autism. This topic has been of considerable concern to the scientific community, parents, and public health officials. Herein, we provide links to valid information and articles which will be of use to you in discussing these issues. Omnibus Autism ProceedingThe Omnibus Autism Proceeding was created by the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program to handle the large volume of claims that vaccines induce autism. In order to ensure that the over 4,900 cases are dealt with in a timely manner, the U.S. Court of Federal Claims has divided the claims into three theories:
Additional Materials
These rulings and the formal retraction by the Lancet of the controversial Wakefield paper, (The Lancet, Volume 375, Issue 9713, Page 445, 6 February 2010) are now fundamental to us in our efforts to alleviate some fears that parents of unimmunized children still harbor. IMPORTANT: Wyeth Recalls 4 Lots of Privately Sold Prevnar® Pneumococcal 7-Valent Conjugate VaccineMarch 23, 2010 -- The Bureau of Immunization, as part of our commitment to our partners, brings to your attention the following Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) information distributed on March 23, 2010, regarding Wyeth's voluntary recall of 4 lots of privately sold Prevnar® Pneumococcal 7-Valent Conjugate Vaccine. (Prevnar® 7 Recall) IMPORTANT: FDA Recommends Suspension of Rotarix® VaccineMarch 22, 2010 -- The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recommends that healthcare practitioners temporarily suspend use of the Rotarix® vaccine for rotavirus immunization in the U.S. while the agency learns more about components of an extraneous virus detected in the vaccine. There is no evidence at this time that this finding poses a safety risk. (Suspension of Rotarix) Summary of School Immunization Requirements for School Year 2010/2011March 19, 2010 -- There are no changes or new vaccines added to the school immunization requirements for school year 2010/2011. The Immunization Guidelines for Florida Schools, Childcare Facilities and Family Daycare Homes July 2008 are still effective. Updates to existing grade phase-in for the following immunization requirements:
The flyer 2010-2011 School Entry Requirements can be printed and shared with parents and guardians. Staff providing immunizations should review the Recommended Immunization Schedules for Persons Aged 0 Through 18 Years--- United States, 2010. One change in the Recommended Immunization Schedule should be noted for those conducting Kindergarten Round-ups or back-to-school clinics: The last dose in the inactivated poliovirus vaccine (IPV) series is now recommended to be administered on or after the fourth birthday and at least 6 months after the previous dose. If a child received all 4 doses prior to their fourth birthday, an additional (fifth) dose should be administered at age 4 through 6 years. The Florida SHOTS™ has been updated to reflect an additional algorithm for IPV and the Florida Certification of Immunization Form DH 680 will accommodate documentation of a fifth dose to reflect the recommendation. Please note: This is not a school requirement for the 2010/2011 school year. The Immunization Guidelines for Florida Schools, Childcare Facilities and Family Daycare Homes will be updated to reflect this change for the 2011/2012 school year, which will apply ONLY to kindergarten entry. Do not invalidate existing DH 680s on file at schools or recall children who are already attending school. ACIP Recommendations for Pneumococcal Conjugate and Meningococcal VaccinesMarch 18, 2010 -- The Bureau of Immunization is pleased to bring to your attention two important articles published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on March 12, 2010, in the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR Weekly / Vol. 59 / No. 9). (Pneumococcal Vaccines) (Meningococcal Vaccines) Novel H1N1 Influenza: Where to Get the Latest Updates
The Bureau of Immunization provides links to information regarding the novel H1N1 influenza vaccine and recommendations for vaccination. (Novel H1N1 Influenza Vaccine) Novel H1N1 influenza information specific to Florida is available at the Department of Health’s novel H1N1 influenza website at www.MyFluSafety.com. For complete information on novel H1N1 influenza visit www.cdc.gov/h1n1 and www.flu.gov. CDC Health Alert: Travel Notice During Multi-State Mumps OutbreakMarch 12, 2010 -- The Bureau of Immunization is pleased to bring the following Health Alert Network (HAN) message to your attention. (Mumps Outbreak) New Vaccines to Prevent Invasive Pneumococcal and Meningococcal DiseasePrevnar 13™March 9, 2010 -- Wyeth received Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval for a 13-valent Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine (PCV13) known as Prevnar 13™. (Prevnar 13™) Menveo®March 9, 2010 -- Novartis received FDA approval of Menveo® (Meningococcal [Groups A, C, Y, and W-135] Oligosaccharide Diphtheria CRM197 Conjugate Vaccine). (Menveo®) ATTENTION: Sanofi Pasteur Shortens Shelf Life on 50 lots of H1N1 VaccineFebruary 8, 2010 -- The Bureau of Immunization, as part of our commitment to our partners, brings to your attention the following Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) information distributed via the Health Alert Network Tuesday, February 2, 2010, concerning the adjustment of the shelf life of specific lot numbers of Sanofi Pasteur monovalent 2009 (H1N1) influenza vaccine in pre-filled syringes. (Novel H1N1 Influenza Vaccine Shelf Life) Letter from Thomas R. Frieden, MD, MPH,
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March 23, 2010 -- The Florida Department of Health, Bureau of Immunization is pleased to announce the 2010 National Infant Immunization Week (NIIW) theme: "Love them. Protect them. Immunize them." This year, NIIW will be held during 
World Meningitis Day is Saturday April 24, 2010, and the Confederation of Meningitis Organisations (CoMO) wants you to 
