CDC -  Aug 6, 2010. Sanofi Pasteur has notified CDC and FDA that their influenza A (H1N1) 2009 monovalent vaccine manufactured in 2009 in multi-dose vials will have a shorter expiration period than indicated on the label, and they will provide more specific notification of which lots will be affected and the new expiration date in the very near future.  This is to ensure that the vaccine is used while it remains within its potency specification. There are no safety concerns with these lots of 2009 H1N1 vaccine. People who were immunized with Sanofi Pasteur influenza A (H1N1) 2009 monovalent vaccine from multi-dose vials do not need to take any action. 2009 H1N1 viruses, along with influenza A H3N2 viruses and influenza B viruses are circulating internationally.  While it cannot be known in advance which influenza viruses will predominate in any given year, the 2009 H1N1 virus, along with influenza A H3N2 viruses and influenza B viruses may circulate in the United States during its upcoming influenza season.  The 2010-2011 influenza vaccine will protect against an influenza A H3N2 virus, an influenza B virus and the 2009 H1N1 virus. Initial shipping of the 2010-2011 influenza vaccine has begun. Read more at http://www.cdc.gov/flu/about/qa/infohealthcare.htm.

MDPH - July 22, 2010. There are ongoing measles outbreaks in many parts of the world, including countries in Western Europe. During the summer months we would like to remind clinicians of the continued risk of measles infection, particularly among travelers. Although travel outside the US is a risk factor for measles, there have also been sporadic cases in Massachusetts and other states. So far this year, there have been two confirmed cases of measles among Massachusetts residents; one associated with travel to Japan and Vietnam, and the other still under investigation. MDPH epidemiologists have also responded to confirmed cases in out-of-state individuals who spent time in Massachusetts while infectious. One such case was associated with travel to Switzerland. Maintaining high two-dose coverage of measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccination coverage remains the most effective way to prevent outbreaks and limit them if they occur. When cases do occur, strict adherence to control recommendations is critical to prevent transmission.
NEW: MDPH strongly recommends that all health care workers, regardless of year of birth, have 2 doses of MMR. Two doses of MMR will be required during an outbreak. Previously, one dose was recommended for health care workers born before 1957.

BPHC - July 14, 2010. Between July 7th and July 13th, 2010 the Boston Public Health Commission (BPHC) confirmed two measles cases. No epidemiologic link between these cases has been identified to date. This alert summarizes the potential exposures related to each case and provides guidelines for health care providers. Control measures are ongoing and include confirming the immune status of exposed close contacts and excluding those without documented immunity from public activities. Health care providers are asked to consider a diagnosis of measles in persons with appropriate symptoms and to report all suspect or confirmed cases to public health. To view the full alert, go to:

http://www.bphc.org/programs/infectiousdisease/healthcareprovidersandlaboratories/Pages/Home.aspx.

 

 

CDC - Aug 4, 2010. Seasonal Influenza A (H3N2) Virus Infections. Influenza A (H3N2) virus infections have been recently detected in people in a number of states across the U.S., including two small localized outbreaks. Sporadic cases of influenza and localized summer outbreaks from seasonal influenza viruses are detected each summer. Clinicians are reminded to consider influenza as a possible diagnosis when evaluating patients with acute respiratory illnesses, including pneumonia, even during the summer months. Treatment decisions should not be made on the basis of a negative rapid influenza diagnostic test result since the test has only moderate sensitivity. False positive results also can occur, particularly at times when overall influenza prevalence is low. For patients for whom laboratory confirmation is desired, or to confirm initial influenza cases in a community in which cases have been tested by rapid influenza diagnostic tests, it is recommended that reverse transcriptase -polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), and/or viral culture is utilized. Clinicians should use empirical treatment with influenza antiviral medications for persons hospitalized with suspected influenza, and for suspected influenza infection of any severity in high-risk individuals, regardless of influenza immunization status. Early initiation of treatment provides more optimal clinical responses, although treatment of moderate, severe, or progressive disease begun after 48 hours of symptoms can still provide benefit.

Read the full alert at http://www2a.cdc.gov/HAN/ArchiveSys/ViewMsgV.asp?AlertNum=00316.

MDPH - Aug 3, 2010. Manufacturers have begun to ship seasonal influenza vaccine to providers. The 2010-2011 Vaccine Information statements (VISs) should be available shortly.  In the meantime, providers should use the seasonal influenza VISs from the 2009-2010 flu season. These can be found at www.immunize.org/vis. Vaccination efforts should begin as soon as the 2010-11 seasonal influenza vaccine is available and continue through the influenza season.

 

FDA - July 30, 2010. FDA Approves Vaccines for the 2010-2011 Influenza Season. The FDA announced that it has approved vaccines for the 2010-2011 influenza season in the United States. Seasonal influenza vaccine protects against three strains of influenza, including the 2009 H1N1 influenza virus, which caused the 2009 pandemic. Last year because the 2009 H1N1 virus emerged after production began on the seasonal vaccine, two separate vaccines were needed to protect against seasonal flu and the 2009 H1N1 pandemic flu virus, but this year, only one vaccine is necessary. In addition to the important role that health care providers play in recommending influenza vaccination for their patients, influenza vaccination of health care personnel is important to protect themselves, their patients, their family, and the community from influenza. FDA urges health care organizations to encourage their members to get vaccinated.
http://www.fda.gov/NewsEvents/Newsroom/PressAnnouncements/ucm220718.htm.

 

NIH - July 15, 2010. NIH Scientists Advance Universal Flu Vaccine. A universal influenza vaccine - so-called because it could potentially provide protection from all flu strains for decades-may become a reality because of research led by scientists from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), part of the National Institutes of Health. In experiments with mice, ferrets and monkeys, the investigators used a two-step immunization approach to elicit infection-fighting antibodies that attacked a diverse array of influenza virus strains. Current flu vaccines do not generate such broadly neutralizing antibodies, so they must be re-formulated annually to match the predominant virus strains circulating each year. http://www.niaid.nih.gov/news/newsreleases/2010/Pages/UniversalFluVax.aspx.

MDPH - June 15, 2010. As demand for the H1N1 vaccine decreases there are some health care providers who received the 2009 H1N1 influenza vaccine that have unused doses. The US Federal Government has organized a Central Vaccine Recovery Program to recover unused doses of the 2009 H1N1 influenza vaccine. The Central Vaccine Recovery Program is a voluntary program intended to recover unused doses of 2009 H1N1 influenza vaccine (i.e. unopened vials/pre-filled syringes/nasal sprayers). Only 2009 H1N1 influenza vaccine products are included; ancillary supplies (i.e. needles, syringes, and sharps containers) supplied by the federal government should not be returned through this recovery program. Under MDPH Regulations, these ancillary supplies must be disposed of as medical waste. Health care providers who received 2009 H1N1 vaccine and have signed a Provider Agreement will receive two (2) pre-paid shipping labels from UPS in coming weeks. Providers can use the pre-paid labels to ship up to 20 lbs of unused H1N1 vaccine per label through UPS. If you have additional questions or concerns, please contact the Massachusetts H1N1 Vaccine Help Desk at 617-983-6898 or toll free at (888) 578-5585.