Immunization Guidelines for Florida Schools, Child Care Facilities, and Family Day Care Homes Effective March 2007 Available at State Distribution Center
December 2007 -- The Bureau of Immunization is pleased to announce that the revised Immunization Guidelines for Florida Schools, Childcare Facilities and Family Daycare Homes, effective March 2007, are now available in packages of 5 at the State Distribution Center. Follow the simple steps below to order:
- Non-Department of Health entities should print the Publication/Supply Supplemental Order Form (DH 1464, 7/06) and follow the instructions on the form.
- The Immunization Guidelines is form number DH 150-615, 03/07, Stock Number 5730-615-0150-4.
- Indicate number of packages requested.
- Call the Distribution Center for applicable shipping charges at (850) 414-8086.
- Include your check number (for shipping charges) with your order to prevent delay of your shipment.
Department of Health staff should follow internal procedures and contact the Distribution Center to order the guidelines.
A small quantity of the guidelines was shipped directly to all county health departments, all Bureau of Immunization Field Staff, the Department of Education (DOE), and Children's Medical Services. The Department of Children and Families (DCF) received guidelines for distribution to all licensed childcare providers in Florida.
Temporary Medical Exemptions for Children in Childcare Facilities, Family Daycare Homes and Prekindergarten
December 31, 2007 -- This is in follow-up to the announcement regarding the short-term disruption to the Haemophilus influenzae Type b (Hib) vaccine supply and the recommendation to temporarily defer the Hib vaccine booster dose administered at 12 to 15 months of age to non-risk children as, detailed below. (TMEs Related to Hib)
Interim Recommendations for the Use of Haemophilus influenzae Type b (Hib) Conjugate Vaccines Related to the Recall of Certain Lots of Hib-Containing Vaccines (PedvaxHIB® and Comvax®)
December 21, 2007 -- On December 13, 2007, a pharmaceutical manufacturer announced a voluntary recall of certain lots of two Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) conjugate vaccines, which is expected to result in short-term disruption to the Hib vaccine supply in the United States. (Intrim Hib Recommendations)
Important Notice: Merck Recalls Hib Vaccines
December 13, 2007 -- Merck & Co., Inc. ("Merck") has initiated a voluntary recall of 11 lots of its Haemophilus influenzae type b vaccine, PEDVAXHIB [Haemophilus b Conjugate Vaccine (Meningococcal Protein Conjugate)], and two lots of its combination Haemophilus influenzae type b/ hepatitis B vaccine, COMVAX [Haemophilus b Conjugate (Meningococcal Protein Conjugate)]. (Hib Recall)
Recommendation from the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices Regarding Quadrivalent Meningococcal Conjugate Vaccine
December 7, 2007 -- The Bureau of Immunization is pleased to announce the release of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) notice, Recommendation from the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) for Use of Quadrivalent Meningococcal Conjugate Vaccine (MCV4) in Children Aged 2--10 Years at Increased Risk for Invasive Meningococcal Disease, issued on December 7, 2007 in the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR). (Meningococcal Conjugate Recommendations)
National Influenza Vaccination Week
November 26 - December 2, 2007
The Bureau of Immunization is pleased to announce that National Influenza Vaccination Week (NIVW) will be celebrated November 26 to December 2, 2007. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) designates the week after Thanksgiving as National Influenza Vaccination Week. This event is designed to raise awareness of the importance of continuing influenza (flu) vaccination, and encourage use of flu vaccine through the months of November, December, and beyond. The CDC recommends that people take this opportunity to be vaccinated and asks that flu vaccine providers use this time to schedule additional flu vaccine clinics; extend clinic hours; and plan mass vaccination at retail locations.
This year, Tuesday, November 27, 2007, is set aside as Children's Flu Vaccination Day, with focus on vaccinating high-risk children. Each year, over 20,000 children are hospitalized as a result of influenza. This day will help raise awareness about the value of vaccinating children, especially high-risk children and their close contacts.
Update on Supply of Merck & Co., Inc. Vaccines
November 16, 2007 -- The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) maintains a webpage with the latest national information about vaccine supplies and provides guidance to healthcare providers who are facing vaccine shortages or delays at: http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/vac-gen/shortages/default.htm. (Merck & Co. Vaccine Shortages Varicella, Hepatitis A & Haemophilus influenzae Type B)
Prevention of Hepatitis A After Exposure to Hepatitis A Virus and in International Travelers.
Updated Recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices
October 29, 2007 -- This report details updated recommendations, made by the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) in June 2007, for prevention of hepatitis A after exposure to hepatitis A virus (HAV), and in departing international travelers, and incorporates existing ACIP recommendations for prevention of hepatitis A. (International Travel)
Update on Supply of Vaccines Containing Varicella-Zoster Virus
October 29, 2007 -- We are continuing to experience extended delivery timelines for vaccines containing varicella-zoster virus. (Varicella Supply)
Recommended Adult Immunization Schedule United States, October 2007--September 2008
October 29, 2007 -- The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) annually reviews the recommended Adult Immunization Schedule to ensure that the schedule reflects current recommendations for the use of licensed vaccines. In June 2007, the ACIP approved the Adult Immunization Schedule for October 2007-September 2008. This schedule has also been approved by the American Academy of Family Physicians, the American College of Physicians, and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Please review the new schedule and changes to the Age-Based Schedule, Medical/Other Indications Schedule, and the Footnotes online at: http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm5641a7.htm?s_cid=mm5641a7_e.
You may access the schedule online at: http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/recs/schedules/adult-schedule.htm.
Expansion of Age-Range for Menactra
October 18, 2007 -- On October 18, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a press release announcing that it approved the use of Menactra bacterial meningitis vaccine (Sanofi Pasteur) to include children 2 to 10 years of age. (Menactra Age-range)
Revised Recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices Regarding Meningococcal Conjugate Vaccine
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) published the Revised Recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) to Vaccinate All Persons Aged 11--18 Years with Meningococcal Conjugate Vaccine on August 10, 2007, in the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR) Series, Vol 56, #31. (Meningococcal Conjugate Vaccine)
Food and Drug Administration Approval of an Alternate Dosing Schedule for Twinrix®
April 2007 -- In April 2007, GlaxoSmithKline Vaccine Division (GlaxoSmithKline Biologicals) received approval from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for an alternate schedule for Twinrix®, a combined hepatitis A and hepatitis B vaccine. Twinrix® was first licensed in 2001 as a 3-dose schedule (0, 1, and 6 months) for vaccination of persons 18 years of age and older. For routine immunization purposes, providers should continue to follow the 3-dose schedule. The alternate 4-dose schedule will accelerate protection when needed for travel and/or other potential exposures.
Using the newly licensed, alternate 4-dose schedule, doses can be administered at 0, 7, and 21-30 days, followed by a dose at 12 months. More information on the FDA approval of an alternate dosing schedule can be found in the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report at: http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm5640a5.htm?s_cid=mm5640a5_e.
Pre-teen Vaccination Campaign
The Bureau of Immunization is pleased to announce the Pre-teen Vaccination Campaign, sponsored by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Vaccine Packaging Update for Sanofi Pasteur Products
The Bureau of Immunization provides this important notice to alert you regarding packaging changes to two Sanofi Pasteur vaccine products: DAPTACEL® - (DTaP) Diphtheria and Tetanus Toxoids and Acellular Pertussis Vaccine Adsorbed (licensed for children up to age 7 years); and ADACEL® - (Tdap) Tetanus Toxoid, Reduced Diphtheria Toxoid and Acellular Pertussis Vaccine Adsorbed (licensed for persons 11 through 64 years). (Vaccine Packaging)
National Infant Immunization Week
April 21-28, 2007
National Infant Immunization Week (NIIW) is an annual observance to promote the benefits of immunizations and to focus on the importance of immunizing infants against vaccine-preventable diseases by age two. This year, NIIW will again be held in conjunction with the Pan American Health Organization's Vaccination Week in the Americas (VWA), April 21-28, 2007.
The 2007 Florida Statewide Immunization Summit
This year's summit took place April 24-25, 2007 in Orlando, Florida at The Florida Hotel & Conference Center at the Florida Mall. This event, hosted by Central Florida Central Florida Area Health Education Center (AHEC), Inc., with the Florida Department of Health's Bureau of Immunization, focused on updating the state's public and private providers on immunizations and assisting practitioners with reaching the goal of achieving 90 percent coverage of Florida's two-year-olds by July 2007.
CDC Reaffirms Vaccine Policy Recommendations to Routinely Vaccinate U.S. Infants With Rotavirus Vaccine
The Bureau of Immunization is pleased to announce the release of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) report, Postmarketing Monitoring of Intussusception After RotaTeq™ Vaccination --- United States, February 1, 2006--February 15, 2007, issued on March 16, 2007 in the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR). (Rotavirus Recommendations)
Introducing Vaccine Topics
This new page will contain links to information about new vaccines and immunization issues (Vaccine Topics).
Revised Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Vaccine Information Statement and Update on Vaccines for Children Program HPV Vaccine Availability
The Bureau of Immunization is providing this important update to the Advisory Committee On Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommendations regarding HPV vaccine that were distributed on December 1, 2006. (HPV Update)
