September 15, 2014

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Summit Call Recap – September 11, 2014

Information from CDC

Announcements

SUMMIT CALL RECAP – SEPTEMBER 11, 2014

Influenza Surveillance Update – Sophie Smith (CDC)

Sophie reported that for the week ending August 30, seasonal influenza remains below baseline for all of our threshold values for the 2013–2014 season. For the most recent week, 2.29% of specimens submitted for testing were positive, with a mix of both influenza type A and B. The ILI-Net national data remains at 0.7% of total patient visits, well below the national baseline of 2%.

No new pediatric deaths have been reported since the last Summit call. To date, 107 lab-confirmed pediatric deaths have been reported in the 2013–2014 season. The vast majority of these deaths were associated with influenza A.

No new cases of novel influenza A H3N2 variant have been reported since the last Summit call. To date, 2 reports have been received from Ohio. There were no deaths, no ongoing human-to-human transmission, and no increases in ILI in the community. Both cases reported close contact with swine during the week prior to illness onset.

CDC will continue to publish an abbreviated version of the weekly surveillance report until the new season starts in October.

2014 NFID Influenza/Pneumococcal News Conference – Ellen Terry (NFID)

Ellen provided information on the upcoming National Foundation for Infectious Diseases (NFID) annual influenza/pneumococcal news conference. This high profile media event will take place at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C. on Thursday, September 18 at 10 a.m. ET. This news conference brings together government, non-profit and private sector representatives, medical societies, and advocacy groups to kick off the influenza season and urge everyone >6 months of age to be vaccinated.

This year’s panel will be moderated by past NFID President Dr. William Schaffner, and CDC Director Tom Frieden will be the keynote speaker. Dr. Frieden will announce the latest influenza vaccine coverage rates among children and adults, as well as pregnant women and healthcare workers. He also will provide updates to the recommendations for the upcoming influenza season. The panel will include: Dr. Laura Riley, Director of Labor and Delivery at Massachusetts General Hospital and the Associate Professor of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Biology at Harvard Medical School; and Dr. Paul Offit, Chief of the Division of Infectious Diseases and Director of the Vaccine Education Center at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.

Each year, the key discussion at the conference and the subsequent media coverage help to provide consistent messaging about influenza and pneumococcal disease prevention. All Summit participants are invited to join the event via live webcast, but be aware that the Q&A session will be limited to the media. Persons interested in participating in the news conference (live or via webcast) must contact Sandra Plasse to RSVP. Please help spread messages during the news conference and throughout the season by using #fightflu.

NFID’s Leading by Example initiative is now entering its fourth year. NFID invites healthcare professionals, business leaders and community leaders to “lead by example” and make influenza prevention a healthcare priority. Dr. Frieden and all of the panelists will be vaccinated at the news conference, and photos will be highlighted on the NFID website. NFID thanks the >40 organizations that already have signed the commitment statement. Additional organizations are encouraged to join the movement.

Letter to CMS Regarding New Pneumococcal Recommendation – Phyllis Arthur (BIO)

The ACIP recently voted to recommend 2 doses of pneumococcal vaccine for persons >65 years of age.* (Note: These recommendations will not be official until they are published in the MMWR.) One administrative issue resulting from this recommendation is determining how CMS will recognize and allow providers to give a second pneumococcal vaccine, as Medicare currently pays for only one dose of pneumococcal vaccine. Representatives of BIO and other groups have examined the laws surrounding this issue, including Medicare Part B and the regulations described in the Medicare manual given to providers. A letter is being prepared for submission to CMS asking the agency to recognize the new ACIP recommendation for a second dose and communicate the coverage framework to providers.

Obviously, time is of the essence on this as we approach influenza season. The goal is to accelerate CMS’s timeframe for rulemaking on new guidelines, which typically takes 12–18 months. A letter to CMS suggesting less time-consuming alternatives has been drafted and is undergoing final revisions. When this is completed, it is hoped that additional groups will sign onto the letter. This will support the concept that the entire vaccine stakeholder community wants to find ways to quickly implement this new recommendation and provide a mechanism for coverage for all eligible beneficiaries.

Phyllis noted that her report is a “heads up” to allow organizations to be prepared for the arrival of this letter and the possibility of obtaining organization support. L.J added that the letter will be shared with NAIIS Policy Workgroup members and Summit partners as soon as possible.

L.J stated that these new pneumococcal recommendations will be a source of confusion for providers and will need to be addressed through a variety of venues. They will be discussed at the NFID press conference, and CDC and the Summit will work with partners such as Medscape to create educational forums and other ways to share this information.

* For persons without a prior pneumococcal vaccine history, this involves giving PCV13 followed by PPSV23 at least 6–12 months later. Persons who have previously received PPSV23 would be given a dose of PCV13 at least one year after PPSV23 was given.

Other Items – L.J Tan (IAC)

Please submit information about any activities your organization conducted to promote adult immunizations during National Immunization Awareness Month (NIAM) to CDC.

INFORMATION FROM CDC

CDC/Influenza Division Weekly Influenza Surveillance Report

The CDC weekly influenza surveillance report for week 36 (ending September 6, 2014) and region specific data are now available. Of all deaths reported through the 122-Cities Mortality Reporting System, 5.7% were due to P&I. This percentage was below the epidemic threshold of 6.0% for week 36.

No influenza-associated pediatric deaths that occurred during the 2013–14 season were reported to CDC during week 36. A total of 107 influenza-associated pediatric deaths have been reported during the 2013-2014 season. One influenza-associated pediatric death occurring in the 2008-09 influenza season was reported during week 36. This brings the total number of deaths reported during the 2008–09 season to 137.

Nationwide during week 36, 0.9% of patient visits reported through the U.S. Outpatient Influenza-like Illness Surveillance Network (ILINet) were due to influenza-like illness (ILI). This percentage is below the national baseline of 2.0%. ILI is defined as fever (temperature of 100°F [37.8°C] or greater, and cough and/or sore throat. An Influenza Summary Update of the influenza activity reported by state and territorial epidemiologists, which indicates geographic spread of influenza viruses but does not measure the intensity of influenza activity, is available. This currently reflects data from May 17, 2014 and will be updated with the official start of the influenza season.

Archives of previous FluViews are available from CDC.

More Information from CDC

Save the Date: Sept 18, 10 am ET—NFID Influenza/Pneumococcal News Conference

On September 18, 2014, the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases (NFID) will host an Influenza/Pneumococcal News Conference at the National Press Club in Washington, DC at 10:00 am ET.

In collaboration with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and other leading medical and public health groups who rally together to show their strong support for influenza immunization, the event communicates critical messages, including a call to action for everyone to get vaccinated. Other areas of focus include CDC’s “Take Three” approach to influenza prevention and the importance of pneumococcal vaccination for those for whom it is recommended.

NFID’s annual news conference creates excitement among the media and the immunization community. You can join by accessing the webcast or listening via telephone (800-277-3988). Please note that as the news conference is a media-focused event, we are requesting that non-media attendees refrain from asking questions during the Q&A portion.

The news conference is the inaugural activity of NFID’s influenza awareness and prevention initiative that will continue to run throughout the fall.

CDC Seeks Your Feedback on Adult Portion of the National Immunization Awareness Week

CDC would like to thank all of you that participated in outreach efforts during National Immunization Awareness Month (NIAM).

Please go to a brief online survey to let CDC know what you were able to do to promote adult immunization during NIAM, and whether you have been able to use CDC resources in your efforts.

CDC would really appreciate your feedback.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

AIM Promising Practice Webinar on Increasing Adolescent Coverage Rates

The Association of Immunization Managers (AIM) will be holding its next Promising Practice Webinar on September 18 from 2–3:30 pm (ET). The webinar will focus on policy, an educational intervention, and IIS strategies for increasing adolescent coverage rates. The educational webinars are part of the AIM Leadership Institute, whose mission is to promote effective immunization program management through collaboration, education, and creativity to assure program compliance and increase and sustain high immunization coverage throughout the lifespan. The agenda includes:

2:00 – 2:05 pm – Introduction and AIM review of immunization program adolescent strategies (highlights of results from 2013 AIM Annual Survey)
2:05 – 2:15 pm – CDC NIS-Teen Update
2:15 – 2:25 pm – Robert A. Bednarczyk, PhD, Emory University Hubert Department of Global Health Assistant Professor, will present research related to the impact of the gender-specific HPV vaccination recommendation on gender-specific uptake of other adolescent (Tdap/MCV4) vaccines
2:25 – 3:00 pm – Natasha Herbert & Katy Seib, Emory University, will present research related to a parent and teacher intervention to improve adolescent update of recommended vaccines
3:00 – 3:20 pm – Amy Metroka, NYC Immunization Program, will provide insight into procedural information and lessons learned for IIS adolescent AFIX visits and quarterly provider reports that focus on adolescents
3:20 – 3:30 – Questions and Closing

AIM requests that this information be forwarded to interested staff. Prior to September 18, registration information will be available on the AIM website. After the webinar, a recording will be available through AIM’s archive of previous webinars.

CDC Announces a Safety Training Course for Healthcare Workers Responding to the Ebola Outbreak

As part of a comprehensive and coordinated response to the 2014 Ebola outbreak in West Africa, CDC is providing an introductory training course for licensed clinicians (e.g., nurses, physicians, and other healthcare providers) intending to work in Ebola treatment units in Africa. This course will take place in the United States. The primary purpose of the course is to ensure that clinicians intending to provide medical care to patients with Ebola have sufficient knowledge of the disease and its transmission routes to work safely and efficiently in a well-designed ETU. This course is the first step in preparing clinicians to work independently in an ETU. It is strongly recommended that, after completing this training, clinicians receive mentoring and coaching in an ETU designated for such training in an affected country, only then progressing to fully independent work in an ETU. The CDC course contains information from similar courses developed by Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) and the World Health Organization (WHO) and is primarily designed to provide training for persons intending to deploy urgently in response to the current Ebola outbreak.

Additional information about the course, criteria for admission, and a sample course syllabus are available from CDC. The course will be held at the U.S. Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Center for Domestic Preparedness (CDP) in Anniston, AL, a 90-minute drive from Atlanta, GA. Please contact eocevent276@cdc.gov to request information on registration, or for other information on this course.

For more information about how to be a medical volunteer for the Ebola outbreak, please see USAID’s website.

NAICP Strategies for Public Health Programs to Increase Adult Immunization

The National Adult Immunization Coordinators’ Partnership (NAICP) has created a one-page document, Strategies for Health Departments to Increase Adult Immunization, which details several strategies that state and local public health programs can use to help increase adult immunization rates in their jurisdiction. The strategies are based on the Standards for Adult Immunization Practice published by the National Vaccine Advisory Committee earlier this year.

PKIDs Develops Unbranded Handwashing Poster for Free Use!

Parents of Kids with Infectious Diseases (PKIDs) has developed a handwashing promotion poster, “Don’t Let Germs Move In.” Clean hands are always a good way to keep disease at bay. The free poster is available in unbranded form so that you can add your own information.

Compelling Video on Impact of Influenza from the Texas Children’s Hospital

The Texas Children’s Hospital had developed an educational and compelling video that conveys the importance of receiving the influenza (flu) vaccine.

The 6½ minute video shows three families who share their stories with the hopes of educating other parents about the importance of vaccination for influenza, more commonly known as the flu. They have experienced tremendous trial, loss, and hardship, and their lives have been forever changed. This video tells the stories of Emily Lastinger, Chloe Kramer, and Billy Cary. Hopefully, by sharing their stories, these brave families can help other parents and individuals understand the seriousness of the flu and the importance of getting vaccinated.

Every year, influenza affects hundreds of thousands of individuals. Just last year, 107 children died from flu-related illness. Yet every year, less than half of the U.S. population receives flu vaccine.

To learn more about vaccine-preventable diseases visit the Texas Children’s Hospital vaccine webpage.

National Council on Aging (NCOA) Continues Its Flu + You initiative

The Flu + You program, a national public education initiative sponsored by the National Council on Aging (NCOA) in collaboration with Sanofi Pasteur, educates older adults and those who care for them about the seriousness of the flu, the importance of annual vaccination, and available vaccine options. Award-winning actress Judith Light, known for TV’s Dallas, Who’s the Boss?, and Ugly Betty, has joined the campaign this year as a national spokesperson. A press release highlighting the Flu + You program is now available.

Flublok Expiration Date Now 6 Months from Date of Production

For the 2014–2015 season, Flublok’s expiration date has been increased from the last season’s 16 weeks to 6 months from the date of production.

FDA OKs Menactra as Booster Against Meningococcal Disease

Ebola Vaccines Racing Forward at Record Pace

As reported in Science magazine, experimental Ebola vaccines started human tests last week. And, beginning in November, they may be rolled out to as many as 10,000 people in West Africa. The two vaccines being tested first must prove safe and capable of stimulating relevant immune responses in small trials taking place in four countries. No vaccine has ever moved more quickly into widespread use. Many issues remain on how to determine whether the vaccines actually protect people from Ebola. Because the vaccines are in short supply, they also will only be offered to health care workers and other first-line responders. One vaccine is being manufactured by a collaboration between the U.S. National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases and GlaxoSmithKline, and the other is being made by NewLink Genetics..

Every Child By Two (ECBT) compiles media information on its website

On a daily basis, ECBT assembles significant news media coverage on immunizations in their “Daily Clips.” Summit partners may find this effort useful.

Remember to visit the Summit website for the latest on influenza immunization resources. You can also find archived copies of The Summit Buzz there.

Reminder

Summit calls are scheduled every Thursday at 3 pm ET, unless cancelled. The agenda for the September 18 call includes and overview by Tamara Pilishvili (CDC0 on the new pneumococcal vaccination recommendation and its implementation. Please be on the lookout for a final agenda and call-in information from LaDora Wodds later this week.

Please email L.J Tan or LaDora Woods if you have any updates on activities to provide to the Summit.