CDC

From January 1 to March 28, 2019, 387** individual cases of measles have been confirmed in 15 states.  This is the second-greatest number of cases reported in the U.S. since measles was eliminated in 2000. View cases and outbreaks.

The states that have reported cases to CDC are Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Georgia, Illinois, Kentucky, Michigan, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Texas, and Washington.

The CDC recommends the following:

• Routine childhood immunization for MMR vaccine starting with the first dose at 12 through 15 months of age, and the second dose at 4 through 6 years of age or at least 28 days following the first dose.
• Students at post-high school educational institutions without evidence of measles immunity need two doses of MMR vaccine, with the second dose administered no earlier than 28 days after the first dose.
• Adults: People who are born during or after 1957 who do not have evidence of immunity against measles should get at least one dose of MMR vaccine.

IAC Express

CDC published Interim Estimates of 2018–19 Seasonal Influenza Vaccine Effectiveness—United States, February 2019 in the February 15 issue of MMWR (pages 135–139). A summary made available to the press is reprinted below.

CDC recommends yearly influenza vaccination for children at least 6 months old and adults. Early estimates indicate that influenza vaccines have reduced the risk of medically attended influenza-related illness by almost half (47%) in vaccinated people so far this season. Vaccination reduced the rate of illness caused by the predominant influenza H1N1 virus by about 46 percent among patients of all ages, and by about 62 percent among children 6 months through 17 years of age. Vaccination provided similar protection to that seen in previous H1N1 seasons in children and in adults younger than age 50. For these estimates, 3,254 children and adults with acute respiratory illness were enrolled from November 23, 2018 to February 2, 2019 at five study sites with outpatient medical facilities in the United States.

Influenza activity continues to increase in the U.S.  with six additional pediatric deaths from influenza reported, for a total of 34 as of February 9. Please continue to vaccinate all your patients six months of age and older.

IAC Express

CDC stated in its Weekly U.S. Influenza Surveillance Report, FluView, that during the week ending January 26, the geographic spread of influenza in 45 states was reported as widespread; Puerto Rico and 3 states reported regional activity; two states reported local activity; the District of Columbia and the U.S. Virgin Islands reported sporadic activity; and Guam did not report.

CDC has reported 2 additional pediatric deaths from influenza in the U.S. this season, for a total of 24. Last season, there was a record-setting number of pediatric deaths in the U.S. (185), so be sure to protect all your patients for whom vaccination is recommended.

Influenza vaccination is recommended for everyone six months of age and older. If you don’t provide influenza vaccination in your clinic, please recommend vaccination to your patients and refer them to a clinic or pharmacy that provides vaccines or to the HealthMap Vaccine Finder to locate sites near their workplaces or homes that offer influenza vaccination services.

IAC Express

CDC’s National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases recently launched the first video in a new, animated video series for parents titled “How Vaccines Work.” In these short videos, viewers follow baby Jack and his parents as they get answers to common vaccine-related questions and learn more about the importance of vaccinating on schedule. The first video describes how vaccines fight germs and provide long-lasting protection against 14 serious diseases. Please share with your patients with children.

CDC will be launching two additional videos in February and March on the following topics: “Vaccines and Your Baby’s Immune System” and “What to Expect When Your Child is Vaccinated.”

Learn more at www.cdc.gov/vaccines/parents/childhood-vaccines.

IAC Express

Immunization Action Coalition is recognizing healthcare settings that have mandated influenza vaccination for their staff with the goal to protect their patients. Honorees include healthcare systems, hospitals, medical practices, pharmacies, and many others.Congratulations to the following Kansas Influenza Vaccination Honorees.

To be included in the Influenza Vaccination Honor Roll, the mandate you are reporting must require influenza vaccination for all staff and, in addition, must include measures to prevent transmission of influenza from unvaccinated personnel to patients. If you are not listed as an honoree and meet the requirements, click here to apply.