Update from CDC: Hib vaccine shortage [April 23, 2008]
Please remember that revised Hib recommendations are NOT office-specific - these affect the whole country.
Do not give the Hib vaccine booster to healthy children aged 12-15 months. Stocking vaccine to give the booster dose during the shortage can take away from providers who are struggling to provide the primary series. Continue to give booster to high-risk children with asplenia, sickle cell disease, HIV, other immune syndromes, or those who are Alaskan or Native American.
Do not miss an opportunity. Use what vaccine you have when appropriate. Do not turn away patients recommended to receive vaccine during the shortage; more vaccine is coming.
Plan for when the shortage is over. Utilize best practice/recall-reminder systems and review the catch-up schedule: http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/recs/schedules/child-schedule.htm#catchup.
Manufacturers are working closely with agencies within HHS to address Hib supply issues. CDC will communicate updates on Hib vaccine supply as soon as they are available.
Special "Let's Talk - Immunization" telconference was held on Friday March 14, 2008 on recent media coverage of vaccine issues.
Speaker: Paul Offit, MD. Chief of Infectious Diseases, and Director of The Vaccine Education Center, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. Maurice R. Hilleman Professor of Vaccinology and Professor of Pediatrics, The University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine.
Dr. Offit:
· Summarized research on causes of autism
· Briefly reviewed the research on whether thimerosal or MMR vaccine cause autism
· Discussed the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program (VICP) - its origins, benefits, and limitations
· Reviewed the recent VICP Poling case and related media coverage
· Discussed how to address parent concerns about vaccines, in particular, requests to extend the vaccine schedule with individual antigens
To listen to the talk (mp3 file), click here.
For information about the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program, visit http://www.hrsa.gov/vaccinecompensation
To read about the U.S. Court of Federal Claims, Office of Special Masters, visit
http://www.uscfc.uscourts.gov/vaccine-programoffice-special-masters
PA IEP "Let's Talk - Immunization teleconference" Dr. Bill Atkinson (CDC) will provide an immunization update and have live Q & A. For Pennsylvania only:
Date: Tuesday, May 13, 2008
Time: 12:15-1:15 PM
Call-in number: (877) 741-4253
To register, please download this form by clicking here and fax to the PA IEP at 484-446-3255.
Evaluation form for CME/CEU: click here.
Handouts - click here.
PA IEP adolescent/teen bookmarks and posters available FREE in English and Spanish (for Pennsylvania only). A free sample is available for your review if you are in another state. Use in your pediatric, family medicine, OB-GYN practice, or your local middle and high school libraries. To see the gorgeous bookmarks and posters, and print out the order form, Click here.
Tweens and teens immunization information:
To see the recommended 2008 immunization schedules, go to www.cdc.gov/vaccines/recs/schedules/default.htm
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