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Happy New Year!
Welcome to the year 2010! The CDC reminds us that it is important to stay safe and healthy in winter weather as storms and cold temperatures can be hazardous. Planning ahead helps - prepare your home and cars, restock emergency kits, be prepared for power outages, wear appropriate clothing, and be a good neighbor by checking on children, the elderly, and pets. Visit www.cdc.gov/features/winterweather for more tips on staying safe this winter. |
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January 2010  Items covered in this issue:
Updates for Massachusetts
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| Updates for Massachusetts Top | |
NH anthrax case focuses on drums
Boston Globe - Dec 24, 2009. A New Hampshire woman diagnosed with a rare gastrointestinal anthrax case may have swallowed spores propelled into the air by vigorous drumming, a state health specialist said. Officials have not confirmed how the woman contracted the disease, but are focusing on a drum circle gathering she attended Dec. 4 at the United Campus Ministry center in Durham shortly before becoming ill. Public health officials who learned of her diagnosis last week immediately began investigating and earlier this week shut down the ministry center after anthrax spores were found on two drums. Read more at http://www.boston.com/news/local/new_hampshire/articles/2009/12/30/nh_anthrax_case_focuses_on_drums/. |
H1N1 Vaccine for Commercial Pharmacies
MDPH - Dec 22, 2009. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is finalizing contracts to provide vaccine to large national and regional pharmacy chains throughout the country, with the expectation that they will begin vaccinating customers in a matter of days.
The CDC has pledged that none of the vaccine promised to Massachusetts and other states will be diverted to these chains. In fact, they have promised to work with states like ours to send us quantities of vaccine above our per capita allocation. We have already requested and received tens of thousands of additional doses of vaccine above the amount expected under the CDC projections.
However, we are still hearing from clinicians and local health officials in various parts of the state who need more vaccine than they have received thus far. We anticipate that many of those still waiting may find it frustrating that pharmacies will start receiving these shipments. Nevertheless, we understand the intentions of the CDC to maximize the availability of vaccine by distributing directly to pharmacy chains that will be open throughout the holiday season and serving large numbers of customers.
As we have indicated in other recent communication, the vaccine supplies in Massachusetts for clinicians and local health officials are increasing rapidly. The amount of vaccine available for the first week of January is likely to be twice as large as the average allocations of the previous several weeks.
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Massachusetts health centers receive $80 million in federal stimulus funds
President Barack Obama recently included eight Massachusetts health centers as part of a $600 million allocation of stimulus funds to 85 community health centers nationwide. The eight Massachusetts health centers received a total of $80 million -- the largest allocation of any state recipient -- for facility expansion and technology upgrades amid growing demand for their primary health care services and higher-than-average unemployment rates in the economically distressed communities they serve. To read more, go to http://www.massleague.org/Articles/2009-12-09FIPAwards.php. Click on the following links for local media coverage on the Massachusetts health center awards:
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New HHAN call-in feature
MDPH rolled out a new call-in feature for the Massachusetts Health and Homeland Alert Network (HHAN). Users are now able to call a phone number to retrieve the three (3) most recent alerts. FIRST, users must log into the HHAN and edit your Personal Profile by adding a Call-In ID. The Suggested Call-in ID must be 10 digits and would be based on a unique value, such as your mobile phone number. MDPH also suggests users reset the telephonic PIN number. After updating your Personal Profile, users may call 617-401-8658 to retrieve the last three alerts. MDPH has created print screens of the Personal Profile and the items you must enter. If you would like a copy, please submit your request via email to twright@massleague.org. |
Metro-Boston Area Upgraded to Tier 1 Federal Funding
Mayor Thomas M. Menino announced that the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has added Boston to the list of Tier 1 Urban Area Security Initiatives (UASI) and will now receive 30 percent more in homeland security funding. UASI program funds address the critical planning, equipment, training and exercise needs of major urban areas, and assists them in building an enhanced and sustainable capacity to prevent, protect against, respond to, and recover from acts of terrorism or other major emergencies. http://www.cityofboston.gov/news/Default.aspx?id=4469. |
Over 300 Pollutants in US Tap Water
The Environmental Working Group has released a report ranking the top 100 water supplies. Out of the nation's top cities, Boston ranked # 5, Springfield ranked # 23, and our neighbors in Providence came in at # 2. Read the full report at http://www.ewg.org/tap-water/home. |
Flu increasing in some regions
WHO - Dec 4, 2009. In its global pandemic update, the World Health Organization (WHO) said today that flu activity has peaked in the United States, Canada, and some parts of Europe, but is increasing in central Europe, Russia, and some parts of western and central Asia. Respiratory illness activity is also intensifying in southern parts of China and Japan, as well as northwestern parts of India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Cambodia. In Africa the pandemic virus is co-circulating with the seasonal H3N2 strain. http://www.who.int/csr/don/2009_12_04/en/index.html |
State Police used a GPS system in a cellphone to find a woman who had been kidnapped
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| Public Health Advisories Top |
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Non-safety related voluntary recalls vaccine
CDC - Dec 23, 2009. Non-Safety Related Voluntary Recall of Certain MedImmune Monovalent 2009 (H1N1) Nasal Spray Vaccine - Shortened Shelf Life of Certain Lots. MedImmune notified CDC and FDA that the potency of 13 lots of monovalent 2009 (H1N1) nasal spray vaccine had decreased below a pre-specified limit or were at risk of falling below that limit in the next week. This slight decrease in vaccine potency is not expected to have an impact on the protective response to vaccination. There are no safety concerns with these lots of 2009 H1N1 vaccine. All lots successfully passed pre-release testing for purity, potency and safety. However, because their potency is now or might soon be below the specified lower limit, MedImmune will send providers directions for returning any unused vaccine from these lots. For details, visit http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/vaccination/sprayrecall_qa.htm.
CDC - Dec 15, 2009. Non-Safety Related Voluntary Recall of Certain Lots of Sanofi Pasteur H1N1 Pediatric (0.25 mL, for 6-35 month olds) Vaccine in Pre-Filled Syringes. In recent testing of the amount of antigen in its influenza A (H1N1) monovalent vaccine, Sanofi Pasteur found four distributed lots of single-dose, pre-filled syringe pediatric (0.25 mL.) vaccine with antigen content lower than required potency levels. The manufacturer is conducting a non-safety related voluntary recall of these affected lots of vaccine. For details, go to http://www.mass.gov/Eeohhs2/docs/dph/cdc/flu/swine_vaccine_pediatric_voluntary_recall.pdf. |
Slim-Fast recall
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Recalls, Market Withdrawals, and Safety Alerts
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Safety of Influenza A (H1N1) 2009 Monovalent Vaccines
CDC - Dec 4, 2009. Vaccine safety monitoring is an important component of all vaccination programs and can address concerns that the current H1N1 vaccines might increase the risk for neurologic complications such as occurred with Guillain-Barré syndrome and the 1976 swine influenza vaccine. A CDC review of reports from the US Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System showed no concerning safety signals (i.e., new, unexpected, or rare adverse events), and analysis of data from the Vaccine Safety DataLink found no increased occurrence of monitored conditions after H1N1 vaccination. CDC and other agencies will use additional systems and continue to monitor H1N1 vaccine safety closely; health-care providers should continue to report adverse events after H1N1 and seasonal influenza vaccinations.To see the full report, go to: http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/pdf/wk/mm58e1204.pdf. |
Flu Update for Massachusetts
by Donna Lazorik, MDPH
Dec 17, 2009. General Questions and Answers on Thimerosal have been released by CDC, with the following highlights:
- There is no convincing scientific evidence of harm caused by the minute doses of thimerosal in vaccines except for minor effects like swelling and redness at the injection site due to sensitivity to thimerosal.
- Most importantly, since 1999, newly formulated thimerosal-free vaccines have been licensed. With the newly formulated vaccines, the maximum cumulative exposure during the first six months of life will now be less than three micrograms of mercury. No children are receiving toxic levels of mercury from vaccines.
- Thimerosal is a mercury-based preservative that has been used for decades in the United States in multi-dose vials (vials containing more than one dose) of some vaccines to prevent the growth of microorganisms, such as bacteria and fungi, which may contaminate them.
- In vaccines, preservatives are used to prevent the growth of bacteria and fungi in the event that they get into the vaccine. This may occur when a syringe needle enters a vial as a vaccine is being prepared for administration. Contamination by germs in a vaccine could cause serious illness or death. In some vaccines, preservatives are added during the manufacturing process to prevent microbial growth.
- FDA licensed (approved) several formulations of the 2009 H1N1 influenza vaccines, including multi-dose vials and single-dose units. Multi-dose vials contain thimerosal as a preservative to prevent potential contamination after the vial is opened
- Some vaccine manufacturers are producing 2009 H1N1 influenza vaccines in single-dose units, which do not require the use of thimerosal as a preservative. In addition, the live-attenuated version of the vaccine, which is administered intranasally (through the nose), is produced in single-units and does not contain thimerosal.
In case you missed the Dec 16, 2009 webcast H1N1 Webcast for Health Care Providers, Flu.gov has archived it on their Know What to Do About the Flu Webcast Archive page. This series of Webcasts brings in experts to discuss how the federal government is preparing and responding to the flu outbreak. Questions from the American people are answered by the panel during each broadcast.
http://www.flu.gov/news/knowwhattodo.html
Dec 11, 2009. "Talkin bout the flu" music video - full song - high quality movie. http://www.youtube.com/BostonPublicHealth#p/a/u/0/NBE8kcfdoTE. From Boston Public Health Commission - Ethan "Smizzy" McCoy and Taji "Boston Bones" Salah Nassor created this spoof of The Dream's hit song "Walking on the Moon". Don't miss the bloopers and behind the scenes footage included at the end of this video. For more behind-the-scenes photos, visit us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/healthyboston. A shorter version of this video is currently running as a PSA in AMC Loews movie theaters, and on Comcast stations BET, MTV, FX, and NICK.
CDC - Dec 11, 2009. CSL Provider Package Flyer. Due to the limited availability of certain age-appropriate vaccine presentations, the flyer language has been revised to reflect more permissive use of the CSL vaccine in order to reduce missed opportunities for vaccination in younger age groups. The revised 'CSL Provider Package Flyer' replaces the original flyer distributed on Thursday, December 3, 2009, 8:29 pm ET, and will be included in H1N1 vaccine shipments after December 22, 2009. A copy of the attached flyer can also be accessed via the following link: http://www.cdc.gov/H1N1flu/vaccination/CSL_provider_pkg_flyer120909_rw13.pdf.
CDC - Dec 8, 2009. While vaccinating against influenza, be sure to administer PPSV to all people with existing indications. CDC advises healthcare professionals that during seasonal and H1N1 influenza outbreaks, all people who have existing indications for pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine (PPSV) should be vaccinated according to current ACIP recommendations. This is important because people with existing indications are not only at increased risk for pneumococcal disease, but are also at increased risk for serious complications from influenza. CDC has issued related guidance titled " Prevention of Pneumococcal Infections Secondary to Seasonal and 2009 H1N1 Influenza Virus Infection." To access it, go to: http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/vaccination/provider/provider_pneumococcal.htm. Simultaneous Administration of Pneumococcal (PPSV) and Influenza Vaccines. Pneumococcal vaccine can be given at any time during the year and may be given at the same time as influenza vaccine. Visits for seasonal and 2009 H1N1 influenza vaccination provide a convenient time to evaluate patients for the need for pneumococcal vaccination. Persons who cannot remember if they've ever had pneumococcal vaccine should be still be vaccinated.
Universal vaccination - All adults 65 years of age and older.
Medical Indications - Persons 2 through 64 years of age who have one or more of the following long-term health problems: chronic cardiovascular disease (congestive heart failure and cardiomyopathies); chronic pulmonary disease (including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and emphysema); diabetes mellitus; alcoholism; chronic liver disease (including cirrhosis); cerebrospinal fluid leaks, cochlear implant; functional or anatomic asplenia including sickle cell disease and splenectomy; immunocompromising conditions including HIV infection, leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin's disease, multiple myeloma, generalized malignancy, chronic renal failure, nephrotic syndrome; those receiving immunosuppressive chemotherapy (including corticosteroids); and those who have received an organ or bone marrow transplant; and, residents of nursing homes or long-term care facilities. All adults 19 through 64 years of age who smoke cigarettes and/or have asthma.
Dec 4, 2009. Requesting More Vaccine. In order for MDPH to most effectively get H1N1 vaccine to CHCs, it is important that they report doses administered on a weekly basis and request additional doses. Moving forward, MDPH is relying more on requests for vaccine that come in with reporting. In addition, MDPH reminds all community health centers that state-supplied pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine (PPV23) is available for community health centers. To receive state-supplied PPV23, please place an order with the MDPH Vaccine Unit. If you have questions about this, please call the Vaccine Unit at 617-983-6828.
More information is available at:
MDPH at http://www.mass.gov/flu
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Ready or Not: Protecting the Public's Health from Diseases, Disasters, and Bioterrorism
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H1N1 Flu Preparedness Tools for Professionals
CDC - The information provides resources to help hospital and health care administrators and state and local health officials respond to the H1N1 flu pandemic. Including software: Impact2009, FluAid Special Edition, FluSurge Special Edition, and FluWorkLoss Special Edition. To learn more, go to http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/tools/?s_cid=ccu120709_toolsforprofessionals_e. |
| Training and Education Top |
DelValle Institute for Emergency Preparedness The DelValle Institute for Emergency Preparedness provides high quality all-hazards training for the Boston community, including public health, health care, and public safety personnel, with a focus on chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, and explosive incident preparedness, response, and recovery.
Upcoming courses include:
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Emergency Planning For Special Needs Communities: Answering The Call For Help January 27, 2010, 2:00 pm EST, online webcast. This addition of Live Response will feature experts at West Virginia University's Homeland Security Program. The 60-minute satellite television broadcast will identify the significance of a functional approach in emergency planning for special needs communities; identify key issues in developing and disseminating procedures for delivering public information; describe inclusive mass sheltering and mass care provisions for special needs populations; and determine effective measures to assist special needs communities during the recovery phase to restore and resume everyday activities. http://terrorism.spcollege.edu/ntpi/Broadcasts/LRBroadcast.aspx |
Joint Information System/Joint Information Center Planning for Tribal, State and Local Public Information Officers (Course G291) - FEMA
On-Demand training. The 1-day JIS/JIC Planning for Tribal, State, and Local PIOs course will use interactive presentation to convey information and equip PIOs with the skills needed to establish and operate a JIS/JIC. Participants will complete a number of worksheets assessing jurisdictional JIS/JIC readiness and facilitating planning for JIS/JIC implementation. This course will be delivered at the State level by State and local instructors. http://training.fema.gov/EMIGrams/gramdetails_trng.asp |
Yale New Haven Center for Emergency Preparedness
In the November 20, 2009 OSHA compliance directive addressing Enforcement Procedures for High to Very High Occupational Exposure Risk to 2009 H1N1 Influenza, OSHA established facility inspection policies and procedures to ensure that organizations are providing appropriate healthcare worker protection from the H1N1 Influenza virus. The Yale New Haven Center for Emergency Preparedness and Disaster Responseassists organizations in meeting the diverse requirements of this directive, the OSHA Respiratory Protection standard and the CDC H1N1 guidance through services including: - Review of existing policies and plan development - Education and just-in-time trainingfor N95 respirator use, fit testing, pandemic influenza, incident command and controlor related courses customized to your organization - Objective evaluation supportincluding assessments, after action report development and improvement planning For additional information regarding these and other services, please contact the Yale New Haven Center for Emergency Preparedness and Disaster Response at (203) 688-3224 or via email at center@ynhh.org. |
Jan 1 - Happy New Year!
Jan 7 - BPHC's Annual Employee Recognition and Holiday Gala, Boston, MA
Jan 11 - Quality Improvement Coordinators Forum, Boston, MA
Feb 15 - UDS preliminary submission deadline
Feb 16-19 - Public Health Preparedness Summit, Atlanta, GA
Feb 24-28 - NACHC Policy & Issues Forum, Washington, DC
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| If you have any questions, comments or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact me. Thank you.
Tina Wright, Project Coordinator - EM & PI
Massachusetts League of Community Health Centers
40 Court Street, 10th Floor, Boston, MA 02108
617-426-2225 ext. 231
twright@massleague.org
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