HEP EXPRESS
Viral hepatitis news from the Immunization Action Coalition
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Issue Number 31 June 17, 2005

CONTENTS OF THIS ISSUE

1. May 2005 issues of "Needle Tips" and "Vaccinate Adults"
now on the Web
2. FDA approves Pegasys for chronic hepatitis B infection
3. New: IAC develops a professional-education piece on the use
of standing orders to improve adult vaccination rates
4. CDC announces broad availability of the 2005-06 edition of
its travel-health guide, the "Yellow Book"
5. Hepatitis B Foundation offers interactive tutorial and
other new resources
6. NYU Center for the Study of Asian American Health seeks
abstracts for September conference
7. Latino Organization for Liver Awareness sponsoring New York
City Hepatitis C March for Awareness
8. HFI's National Viral Hepatitis Summit to take place
September 22-23, in Chicago
9. Free viral hepatitis program offered July 16 in Orange, CA
10. Hep C Connection develops new video
11. Burmese hepatitis B VIS available online
12. Time's running out: Use your fiscal year-end (June 30)
dollars to stock up on essential immunization resources--or
to contribute to IAC
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ABBREVIATIONS: ACIP, Advisory Committee on Immunization
Practices; CDC, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; DVH,
Division of Viral Hepatitis; HAV, hepatitis A virus; HBV,
hepatitis B virus; HCV, hepatitis C virus; IAC, Immunization
Action Coalition; IDU, injection drug user; MMWR, Morbidity and
Mortality Weekly Report; MSM, men who have sex with men; STD,
sexually transmitted disease; VIS, Vaccine Information
Statement; WHO, World Health Organization.
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(1 of 12)
June 17, 2005
MAY 2005 ISSUES OF "NEEDLE TIPS" AND "VACCINATE ADULTS" NOW ON
THE WEB

IAC recently mailed the latest issues of "Needle Tips" and
"Vaccinate Adults" (May 2005) to 260,000 health professionals
and others who work in the field of immunization. All articles
and education pieces, except editorials, have been thoroughly
reviewed by immunization and hepatitis experts at CDC.

HOW TO READ "NEEDLE TIPS" ON THE WEB
You can view selected articles from the table of contents below
or download the entire issue from the Web.

To view the table of contents with links to individual articles,
go to:
http://www.immunize.org/nt

The PDF file of the entire issue, linked below, is large at 1.13
megabytes. Some printers cannot print such a large file. For
tips on downloading and printing PDF files, go to:
http://www.immunize.org/nslt.d/tips.htm

To download a ready-to-print (PDF) version of the May issue, go
to: http://www.immunize.org/nslt.d/n32/n32.pdf

HOW TO READ "VACCINATE ADULTS" ON THE WEB
You can view selected articles from the table of contents below
or download the entire issue from the Web.

To view the table of contents with links to individual articles,
go to: http://www.immunize.org/va

The PDF file of the entire issue, linked below, is large at
526,246 bytes. Some printers cannot print such a large file. For
tips on downloading and printing PDF files, go to:
http://www.immunize.org/nslt.d/tips.htm

To download a ready-to-print (PDF) version of the May issue, go
to: http://www.immunize.org/va/va15.pdf
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(2 of 12)
June 17, 2005
FDA APPROVES PEGASYS FOR CHRONIC HEPTITIS B INFECTION

On May 13, 2005, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved
Pegasys (Peginterferon alfa-2a) for the treatment of chronic
hepatitis B infection. Pegasys is the only pegylated interferon
approved for the treatment of chronic hepatitis B, including
both HBeAg-positive and HBeAg-negative variations of chronic
hepatitis B.

In 2002, the FDA approved Pegasys for use alone and in
combination with Copegus ® for the treatment of adults with
chronic hepatitis C. In February 2005, Pegasys was approved for
use alone and in combination with Copegus ® for the treatment of
chronic hepatitis C in patients coinfected with hepatitis C and
HIV whose HIV is clinically stable.

To access prescribing information from the FDA website, go to:
http://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cder/drugsatfda/index.cfm?fuseaction=Searc\
h.DrugDetails
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(3 of 12)
June 17, 2005
NEW: IAC DEVELOPS A PROFESSIONAL-EDUCATION PIECE ON THE USE OF
STANDING ORDERS TO IMPROVE ADULT VACCINATION RATES

[The following is cross posted from the Immunization Action
Coalition's "IAC EXPRESS" electronic newsletter, 06/13/05.]

In May, IAC created a three-page professional-education piece
"Standing orders for administering eight vaccines to adults and a
protocol for managing anaphylaxis." The piece has links to
prototype standing orders protocols that providers can adapt for
administering vaccines commonly given to some or all adults.

ACIP reports that the use of standing orders is documented to
have "improved vaccination rates among adults" and strongly
encourages their use. IAC created the standing orders prototypes
with the intent that providers will adapt them for use in private
practices, health-maintenance organizations, clinics, hospitals,
long-term-care facilities, and other healthcare settings.

The newly developed piece has links to standing orders prototypes
for the following vaccines: influenza, meningococcal, tetanus-
diphtheria (Td), varicella, measles-mumps-rubella (MMR),
pneumococcal polysaccharide (PPV), hepatitis B, and hepatitis A.
It also includes a link to a prototype protocol for managing
anaphylactic reactions to adult vaccines.

To access a ready-to-print (PDF) version of the piece, go to:
http://www.immunize.org/catg.d/p3089.pdf

Note: No web-text HTML version is available.

For more information on the successful use of standing orders in
adult vaccination, see the ACIP recommendation and report "Use of
Standing Orders Programs to Increase Adult Vaccination Rates:
Recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization
Practices. MMWR 2000; 49(RR01):15-26. You can access it by going
to http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/rr4901a2.htm
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(4 of 12)
June 17, 2005
CDC ANNOUNCES BROAD AVAILABILITY OF THE 2005–06 EDITION OF ITS
TRAVEL-HEALTH GUIDE, THE "YELLOW BOOK"

[The following is cross posted from the Immunization Action
Coalition's "IAC EXPRESS" electronic newsletter, 05/31/05.]

On May 24, CDC issued a press release announcing that the 2005-06
edition of "Health Information for International Travel" (aka,
the "Yellow Book") is now available. Portions of the press
release are reprinted below.

*******************

FOR FIRST TIME EVER, CDC TRAVEL HEALTH BOOK NOW MORE WIDELY
AVAILABLE

The new edition of the "Yellow Book," the Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention's (CDC) definitive guide on healthy
travel, is now available for the first time to health
professionals and everyday travelers through bookstores
nationwide and online booksellers.

. . . [O]fficially titled "Health Information for International
Travel," [the book] serves as authoritative guide for vital pre-
travel healthcare recommendations and essential information about
health risks abroad. It is a resource for travel medicine
specialists as well as primary healthcare providers who need to
provide travel advice. The book also offers vaccination and
medication information for disease risks by destination as well
as helpful health hints for cruise ship travel, international
adoptions, and a wide range of common travel problems such as
motion sickness.

. . .[S]aid Paul Arguin, chief of CDC's geographic medicine and
health promotion branch: "The Yellow Book is an essential
resource for anyone who provides travel medicine advice,
especially healthcare providers, travel agents, airlines and
cruise lines, as well as for the traveling public."

New health topics in this year's edition include

* Changes in vaccine recommendations for travelers
* Updated country-by-country malaria prevention information
* Valuable advice on potential travel hazards such as natural
disasters, animals, swimming, food and drink, altitude and
motion sickness, sunburn, and more
* Information on the special needs of travelers—from infants
to nursing mothers to the elderly
* Recommendations for recent U.S. immigrants returning home
to visit friends and family
* Improved maps and expanded indexing . . . .

*******************

To access the complete press release, go to:
http://www.cdc.gov/od/oc/media/pressrel/r050524.htm
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(5 of 12)
June 17, 2005
HEPATITIS B FOUNDATION OFFERS INTERACTIVE TUTORIAL AND OTHER NEW
RESOURCES

The Hepatitis B Foundation (HBF) has released several new
resources for health professionals and the public.

First, HBF has recently added an excellent interactive tutorial,
"HBV Basics," to their website. This tutorial was developed by
HBF specifically for MedlinePLus, a searchable database of the
National Library of Medicine. It provides an overview of
hepatitis B transmission, prevention, diagnosis, and treatment
in English and Spanish. To view this tutorial, go to:
http://www.hepb.org/hepatitisbcd/xplain.html#

Second, HBF has added Emmet Keeffe, MD, to their Expert Speakers
Forum. To access Dr. Keefe's lecture, "Evolving treatment
strategies for chronic hepatitis B," in a choice of formats
(video, audio, or text-only) go to: http://www.hepb.org/expforum

Third, the Spring 2005 issue of the "B Informed" newsletter is
now available online. The current issue, as well as archived
issues, can be read or downloaded at no charge from the HBF
website at http://www.hepb.org/pdf/hepbnews43.pdf
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(6 of 12)
June 17, 2005
NYU CENTER FOR THE STUDY OF ASIAN AMERICAN HEALTH SEEKS
ABSTRACTS FOR SEPTEMBER CONFERENCE

The NYU Center for the Study of Asian American Health (CSAAH) is
hosting its 2nd Annual Asian American Health Conference
September 23–24, at the New York University School of Medicine.
The theme of this year's conference is "Empowering Asian
American Communities."

CSAAH is currently seeking nominations for leadership awards and
submissions for the call for abstracts. For more information, go
to http://www.med.nyu.edu/csaah/news/2005conference.html or
email csaahconf@...
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(7 of 12)
June 17, 2005
LATINO ORGANIZATION FOR LIVER AWARENESS SPONSORING NEW YORK CITY
HEPATITIS C MARCH FOR AWARENESS

The Latino Organization for Liver Awareness (LOLA) is sponsoring
The First New York City Hepatitis C March for Awareness: C-ing
Is Believing. The march will take place on August 9, 2005, with
registration from 9:30–11:30 a.m. The march will begin at noon
at Battery Park and end at City Hall. Admission is free.

For more information, go to www.lola-national.org or call
(718) 892-8697.
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(8 of 12)
June 17, 2005
HFI's NATIONAL VIRAL HEPATITIS SUMMIT TO TAKE PLACE SEPTEMBER
22-23, IN CHICAGO

The Fourth Annual National Viral Hepatitis Summit will be held
September 22-23, 2005, in Chicago, IL. The conference is
sponsored by Hepatitis Foundation International (HFI) and is
intended for physicians, physician assistants, nurses,
psychologists, counselors, outreach workers, patient advocates,
and others working with people who are affected by or infected
with viral hepatitis.

For information about the agenda or registration, go to:
http://www.hepfi.org/pdfs/SUMMIT%202005%20REGISTRATION%20FORM.pdf
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(9 of 12)
June 17, 2005
FREE VIRAL HEPATITIS PROGRAM OFFERED JULY 16 IN ORANGE, CA

The Hepatitis Foundation International (HFI) and the National
Nurses Advisory Council are sponsoring a free program on viral
hepatitis in Orange, California, on July 16. "Viral Hepatitis:
Focus on Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C" is intended as a medical
update for nurse practitioners, physician assistants, and
nurses.

For more information, download the registration form at
http://www.hepfi.org/pdfs/NNAC%20Program%20Brochure.pdf
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(10 of 12)
June 17, 2005
HEP C CONNECTION DEVELOPS NEW VIDEO

Hep C Connection has just completed a video, "Hep C Inside and
Out," that is available for purchase. This 14-minute educational
video is targeted toward persons incarcerated in jails, prisons,
and community corrections programs, as well as to staff members
in those facilities. Through testimonies from those living with
HCV and healthcare providers, the video attempts to raise
awareness of HCV infection, and offers specific information on
prevention, transmission, and risk reduction.

The video (VHS or DVD) is accompanied by a workbook. Ordering
information can be found at www.hepc-connection.org
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(11 of 12)
June 17, 2005
BURMESE HEPATITIS B VIS AVAILABLE ONLINE

The current version of the hepatitis B VIS is now available in
Burmese. IAC gratefully acknowledges the California Department
of Health Services for the translation.

HEPATITIS B VACCINE VIS (dated 7/11/01)
To obtain a ready-to-print (PDF) version of the VIS for
hepatitis B vaccine in Burmese, go to:
http://www.immunize.org/vis/bu_hpb01.pdf

To obtain it in English, go to:
http://www.immunize.org/vis/hepb01.pdf

For information about the use of VISs, and for VISs in a total
of 33 languages, visit IAC's VIS web section at
http://www.immunize.org/vis
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(12 of 12)
June 17, 2005
TIME'S RUNNING OUT: USE YOUR FISCAL YEAR-END (JUNE 30) DOLLARS
TO STOCK UP ON ESSENTIAL IMMUNIZATION RESOURCES--OR TO
CONTRIBUTE TO IAC

[The following is cross posted from the Immunization Action
Coalition's "IAC EXPRESS" electronic newsletter, 06/02/05.]

Many health organizations and state, county, and city governments
operate on a fiscal year that ends June 30. If yours does, and if
it looks like you won't be able to use up your annual budget by
the end of the year, IAC has a suggestion. We propose you use
your year-end dollars NOW to place an order for bulk quantities
of essential immunization resources you'll need in the future.

In the past several years, IAC has shipped more than two million
items to providers around the world. Two of our most popular
items are the video "Immunization Techniques: Safe, Effective,
Caring," and the Adult Immunization Record Card.

Order these items in bulk, and you'll receive substantial
discounts. Also, please note there is no shipping charge for
small orders shipped by fourth-class mail within the United
States.


IMMUNIZATION TECHNIQUES VIDEO
Every healthcare site in the United States that delivers
vaccination services should have a copy of this 35-minute video.
Developed by the California Department of Health Services
Immunization Branch in collaboration with a team of national
experts, the video teaches best practices for administering
intramuscular (IM) and subcutaneous (SC) vaccines to infants,
children, and adults. It is designed for use as a "hands-on"
instructional program for new staff, as well as a refresher
course for experienced health professionals. Available since 2001
as a VHS videotape, the video now comes in DVD format as well.

VHS VIDEOTAPE INFORMATION. The VHS is available from IAC in
English only and comes with the following English-language print
materials: (1) presenter's notes that include instructional
objectives, pre- and post-tests, and photos showing vaccination
sites appropriate for infants and toddlers and (2) a skills
checklist to help you document that your staff is well trained.

DVD INFORMATION. The DVD contains both an English version of the
video and a version dubbed in Spanish. You can watch the DVD on a
television with a DVD player or on a computer with a DVD drive.

The DVD includes English- and Spanish-language versions of the
following print materials: (1) the presenter's notes described
above, (2), "Comforting Restraint," a poster that clearly shows
parents how to hold a child during vaccination, and (3) "Be there
for your child," a poster that presents ideas parents can use
before, during, and after vaccination to make the experience
easier for their child. The DVD also includes the following print
materials in English only: (1) the skills checklist described
above, (2) "Immunization Record and History," a chart that allows
health professionals to document vaccine administration
information for each of the recommended childhood vaccines, and
(3) a resource list that directs parents to sources of reliable
immunization information. PLEASE NOTE: You must have Adobe
Acrobat Reader 5.0 or above to view and print the materials
included on the DVD.

The cost for each VHS videotape or DVD is $30. Discounts are
available for orders of 20 or more by calling (651) 647-9009.

To order online (U.S. addresses only), go to:
https://www.immunize.org/iztech

To order by mail or fax, go to:
https://www.immunize.org/catg.d/2020a.pdf


ADULT IMMUNIZATION RECORD CARD
Invaluable for educating adults that immunization is a lifelong
process, the card lists seven vaccines recommended for all or
some adults. Use the card during patient visits to discuss a
patient's vaccination status with them; then give it to them and
encourage them to put it in their wallet and use it to keep track
of their next vaccination due date. Printed on smudge-proof, rip-
proof, waterproof paper, the card is intended for lifelong use.

To view a color image of IAC's Adult Immunization Record Card, go
to: http://www.immunize.org/adultizcards/pictures.htm

The cost for one 250-count box is $35; two boxes (500 cards),
$65; three boxes (750 cards), $90; four boxes (1,000 cards),
$110; six boxes (1,500 cards) $165; eight boxes (2,000 cards)
$210. Place orders in excess of 2,000 cards by calling
(651) 647-9009.

To order online (including online with a purchase order), go to:
https://www.immunize.org/adultizcards

To order by mail or fax, go to:
http://www.immunize.org/adultizcards/izorder.pdf

TO PLACE AN ORDER FROM OUTSIDE THE UNITED STATES FOR EITHER THE
VIDEO OR CARDS, call IAC at (651) 647-9009 for shipping cost
information or email us at admin@... (no phone orders,
please).


CONTRIBUTE TO IAC!
We will be delighted with your contribution of any amount. With a
contribution of $75 or more, however, you will receive a CD-ROM
of essential immunization information, including current versions
of all IAC's print pieces in English and many in Spanish--more
than 100 pieces in all!

Written for staff, parents, and patients, these pieces are CDC
reviewed and continually updated on our website, making them
resources you can use and distribute with confidence. In
addition, the CD includes all federal Vaccine Information
Statements--in English AND Spanish.

As a special thank-you for your contribution of $75 or more, IAC
will also send you the following: (1) a set of our 15 most
popular print pieces, such as the "Summary of Rules for Childhood
and Adolescent Immunization" and the "Summary of Recommendations
for Adult Immunization," (2) a year's subscription to one of our
print publications (Needle Tips, Vaccinate Adults, or Vaccinate
Women), and (3) a colorful IAC mousepad.

TO CONTRIBUTE BY FAX OR MAIL, download, print, and fill out the
following order form: http://www.immunize.org/news.d/6020br.pdf
To make a fax contribution, fax the completed form to (651) 647-
9131. To make a mail contribution, make a check payable to the
Immunization Action Coalition and mail it and the completed order
form to 1573 Selby Avenue, Suite #234, St. Paul, MN 55104.

TO CONTRIBUTE ONLINE, go to: https://www.immunize.org/join, fill
in the order form, and submit it.

Thank you for supporting IAC!

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We hope you will forward this e-newsletter to others.

Managing editor: Teresa A. Anderson, DDS, MPH
Copy editor: Dale Thompson
Editorial assistant: Janelle Tangonan Anderson
ISSN: 1547-6375

To subscribe or change your HEP EXPRESS email address, or to view
past issues, please visit http://www.hepprograms.org/hepexpress

This publication is supported by Grant No. U50/CCU523259 from
the Division of Viral Hepatitis at the Centers for Disease Control
and Prevention. Its contents are solely the responsibility of IAC
and do not necessarily represent the official views of CDC.
Circulation: 2,373

DISCLAIMER: http://www.immunize.org/iacadmin/discl-ex.htm

PLEASE CONTACT US AT:
Immunization Action Coalition
1573 Selby Avenue, Suite 234
St. Paul, MN 55104
Voice: (651) 647-9009
Fax: (651) 647-9131
Email: hepxadmin@...
(mailto:hepxadmin@...)
Web: http://www.immunize.org
http://www.vaccineinformation.org
http://www.hepprograms.org
http://www.izcoalitions.org
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