Revised Meningococcal Vaccine Information Statement
The Bureau of Immunization is pleased to announce the release of the revised Meningococcal Vaccine Information Statement (VIS). Several additional cases of Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS) have been associated with meningococcal conjugate vaccine (see MMWR Update from October 2006). (Revised Meningococcal VIS)
MMWR:Notice to Readers - Improved Supply of Meningococcal Conjugate Vaccine, Recommendation to Resume Vaccination of Children 11 to 12 Years of Age
At the request of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the National Immunization Program (NIP), please ensure that MMWR Weekly: November 3, 2006/55(43);1177, regarding the supply of and recommendations for Meningococcal Conjugate Vaccine (MCV4), is shared with colleagues, members, coalitions, and partners with an interest in the administration of meningococcal vaccine. (Meningococcal Supply)
A Comprehensive Immunization Strategy to Eliminate Transmission of Hepatitis B Virus Infection in the United States: Recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, Part II: Immunization of Adults
The Bureau of Immunization is pleased to announce the release of A Comprehensive Immunization Strategy to Eliminate Transmission of Hepatitis B Virus Infection in the United States: Recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), Part II: Immunization of Adults in the MMWR Recommendations and Reports, Volume 55, No. RR-16, December 8, 2006. (Immunization Stategy)
Provisional Recommendations for Use of Quadrivalent Human Papillomavirus Vaccine
The Bureau of Immunization is pleased to announce the release of the Provisional Recommendations for Use of Quadrivalent Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Vaccine by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the National Immunization Program (NIP). (Provisional Recommendations)
Important Vaccines for Children Program Information
Florida's Vaccines for Children (VFC) Program will provide HPV vaccine effective December 4, 2006. Due to limited vaccine supply, VFC HPV vaccine is presently available only to Florida VFC-eligible female clients who are 11-12 years of age. At this time, there are no federal or state funds available to provide HPV vaccine to non-VFC-eligible clients who do not meet these criteria. Please note: Vaccine supply is based on product availability. This may result in County Health Departments receiving fewer doses of HPV vaccine than originally requested. The updated order form will be posted on the internet in time for December 4, 2006 orders.
General Recommendations on Immunization Recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices December 1, 2006
The Bureau of Immunization is pleased to announce the release of the new General Recommendations on Immunization, Recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) in the MMWR Recommendations and Reports, December 1, 2006 / 55(RR15);1-48.
This report updates the 2002 General Recommendations and is intended to serve as a general reference on vaccines and immunization. The principal changes include:
- Expansion of the discussion of vaccination spacing and timing.
- Increased emphasis on the importance of injection technique/age/body mass in determining appropriate needle length.
- Expansion of the discussion of storage and handling of vaccines, with a table defining appropriate storage temperature range for inactivated and live vaccines.
- Expansion of the discussion of altered immunocompetence, including new recommendations about use of live-attenuated vaccines with therapeutic monoclonal antibodies.
- Minor changes to the recommendations about vaccination during pregnancy and vaccination of internationally adopted children, in accordance with new ACIP vaccine-specific recommendations for use of inactivated influenza vaccine and hepatitis B vaccine.
The most recent ACIP recommendations for each specific vaccine should be consulted for comprehensive discussion. This report, ACIP recommendations for each vaccine, and other information about vaccination can be accessed at the CDC's National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases (proposed) (formerly known as the National Immunization Program) website at: http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines.
Please ensure that the General Recommendations on Immunization is widely distributed to colleagues, members, coalitions, and partners with an interest in the supply, distribution, management and administration of immunizations. You can access the document online at: http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/PDF/rr/rr5515.pdf.
Shingles Vaccine Information Statement
The Bureau of Immunization is pleased to announce the release of an interim shingles (herpes zoster) Vaccine Information Statement (VIS) dated 9/11/06. (Shingles VIS)
Human Papillomavirus Vaccine Information Statement
The Bureau of Immunization is pleased to announce the release of the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Vaccine Information Statement (VIS), dated 9/5/06. Once a VIS is available, it should be used effective immediately. (HPV VIS)
Prevention of Rotavirus Gastroenteritis Among Infants and Children Recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices
At the request of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Bureau of Immunization is pleased to announce the release of the MMWR (Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report) Recommendations and Reports, Volume 55, No. RR-12, August 11, 2006, Prevention of Rotavirus Gastroenteritis Among Infants and Children Recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP). (Rotavirus Recommendations )
Provisional Recommendations for Varicella Vaccine 2nd Dose
The Advisory Committee for Immunization Practices (ACIP) updated the Provisional Recommendations for the prevention of varicella on August 3, 2006. The Provisional Recommendations were first posted in November 2005. In June 2005 and June 2006, the ACIP made policy changes for use of live, attenuated varicella-containing vaccines for prevention of varicella...(Provisional Varicella Recommendations )
Vote and Vaccinate
The Florida Department of Health (DOH) is partnering with the Florida Board of Elections, individual counties, and county Supervisors of Elections to implement a "Vote and Vaccinate" campaign, to be held in conjunction with the November general election...
Important Vaccine Storage Information Review
Vaccines valued over $700,000 were reported as "not usable" during the 2004 hurricane season. While a certain amount of loss is unavoidable, we are responsible for careful planning and action in order to minimize loss.
Please review the Emergency Vaccine Storage and Handling Advisory guidelines and share your emergency vaccine storage plan and this advisory with all staff who are responsible for the storage and handling of vaccine.
Department of Health's Division of Disease Control Builds Better Health for Florida's Future
TALLAHASSEE - The Florida Department of Health's (DOH) Division of Disease Control (DDC) is supporting major public health functions; among them, Improved Health Outcomes, Health Information and Public Health Preparedness; following the theme, "Building Better Health for Florida's Future." The DDC is comprised of the following programs and Bureaus: Epidemiology, Human Immunodeficiency Virus/Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (HIV/AIDS) and Hepatitis, Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STD), Immunization, Tuberculosis (TB) and Refugee Health, and the A.G. Holley State Hospital. (Division of Disease Control)
Bureau Receives Awards at National Immunization Conference
The Florida Immunization Program received two awards from the National Immunization Program in March 2006 recognizing Extraordinary Accomplishment in Achieving 88.5% Coverage for the basic 4:3:1:3:3* immunization series and Outstanding Achievement in Improvement of Immunization Coverage of 17.4% Since 2001.
The next step toward surpassing the Healthy People 2010 goal is to achieve a 90% coverage rate for the 4:3:1:3:3:1** immunization series by June 2007. The early childhood immunization initiative includes expansion of the Vaccines for Children Program, which provides free vaccines to public and private healthcare providers; promotes the simultaneous administration of all vaccine doses for which a child is eligible at each office visit; and encourages community-based initiatives through local coalitions of public and private partners.
*(4 DTaP, 3 Polio, 1 MMR, 3 Hib, 3 Hep B)
**(4 DTaP, 3 Polio, 1 MMR, 3 Hib, 3 Hep B, and 1 Varicella
Department of Health Encourages Floridians to Know Status of Their Vaccinations
TALLAHASSEE - The Florida Department of Health (DOH) advises all Floridians to become aware of their immunity status for the measles, mumps, rubella (MMR) vaccine in light of the recent mumps outbreak in the Midwest... (MMR Vaccine )
Department of Health Florida SHOTS Program Comes Closer to Goal - Updated Information in Database Allows for More Efficient Vaccination Tracking
TALLAHASSEE - The Florida Department of Health (DOH) and the Florida State Health Online Tracking System (Florida SHOTS), is proud to announce that over 1,000,000 immunization records have been added to the state system that tracks the immunization history of Florida's children... (Florida SHOTS)
Introducing Promotional Material for the "Complete the Coverage: 90 by '07" Campaign.
The Bureau of Immunization is pleased to announce the release of an introductory brochure for the 90 by '07 two-year-old immunization initiative. This single-fold information flyer outlines the "Complete the Coverage" campaign by defining the immunization series being tracked and by listing the goals of Florida's Early Childhood Initiative.
The immunization series being tracked during this campaign is the 4:3:1:3:3:1 series. This series is comprised of 4 DTaP, 3 Polio, 1 MMR, 3 Hib, 3 Hep B and 1 varicella immunizations, the sum of which is recommended for all children by the age of 24 months. The goal is for the coverage rate of two-year-olds to reach or exceed 90% by June 2007.
Community partners can help us reach this goal by:
- Promoting awareness that early childhood immunizations have a significant role in preventing disease.
- Encouraging community-based initiatives through local coalitions of public and private partners and providing training for coalition members.
- Encouraging providers to utilize each clinic visit to screen and, when indicated, immunize children.
- Promoting simultaneous administration of all vaccine doses for which a child is eligible at each office visit.
- Promoting implementation and use of reminder/recall systems to minimize missed opportunities for vaccination.
For more information about the 90 by '07 Immunization Initiative, contact the Florida Department of Health, Bureau of Immunization, at (850) 245-4342, or (Under Florida law, e-mail addresses are public records. If you do not want your e-mail address released in response to a public records request, do not send electronic mail to this entity. Instead, contact this office by phone or in writing.) 90by07@doh.state.fl.us.
Hepatitis A Vaccine
The Bureau of Immunization is pleased to announce the addition of Hepatitis A vaccine to the list of products available for eligible children through the Vaccines For Children (VFC) Program. Hepatitis A vaccine is now recommended for administration to all infants beginning at 12 months of age. (Hepatitis A Vaccine)
Combination Vaccines to Help Protect Adolescents Against Pertussis
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the first combination vaccines that provide a booster immunization against pertussis (whooping cough), in combination with tetanus and diphtheria for adolescents. (Pertussis Vaccines)
Meningococcal 10/7/05 Vaccine Information Statement (Interim)
On October 7th, 2005, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) National Immunization Program (NIP) issued the "Meningococcal 10/7/05 Vaccine Information Statement (Interim)." (Interim VIS)
Department of Health Encourages Floridians to Make an Appointment to Get Their Flu Vaccine Today
You can still receive vaccine in December and later. Flu season comes to Florida late, with the peak in January and February. We have more time than some states to prepare. There is still time to locate a provider.
Hepatitis B Immune Globulin Availability
The Florida Department of Health, Bureau of Immunization, is aware of recent concerns regarding spot shortages of 0.5mL syringes of Hepatitis B Immune Globulin (HBIG). (Hepatitis B Immune Globulin)
