A Message From The Chapter  

Happy New Year!

Every January, Orange Coast Magazine lists the recipients of Orange County's Physicians of Excellence. This program was started by the Orange County Medical Association in 2004 to recognize outstanding physicians in the community. This year the Chapter is pleased to recognize several of our members who have received this prestigious award. Congratulations to these remarkable physicians who serve the needs of children in our community.

Thank You

Dian Milton

Executive Director

CA4, AAP

Have you let your membership lapse for the Chapter?     

Your membership is important for you and you can renew your membership online at  

the Orange County, AAP Chapter Page  

Take a moment to renew your membership and stay in tune with the many changes in the County that are impacting your practices.

Orange County Public Health

Update from Epidemiology, January 10, 2012

Influenza Activity

Influenza activity is still low in Orange County although increases in influenza-like illness have been reported recently from some areas of the United States, Europe, and Canada. Both influenza A and influenza B strains have been reported. It's not too late to vaccinate your patients and ensure household contacts and caregivers, especially of high risk patients, are vaccinated. Influenza vaccine is available throughout the County. For publicly funded vaccine clinics, see www.ochealthinfo.com/flu. For retail locations, see the Flu Vaccine Finder at www.flu.gov.

Orange County Public Health initiated enhanced surveillance for A(H3N2)v [novel "variant" swine-origin H3N2 in humans] in mid-December. No cases have been reported thus far in Orange County. For more information on the enhanced surveillance, see www.ochealthinfo.com/epi/flu/surv.    

Norovirus/Viral Gastroenteritis:

Several norovirus outbreaks have been reported in the community and in long-term care facilities over the past weeks. Norovirus is very contagious and is easily spread from person-person or through items, food or surfaces contaminated by infected persons. For more information about norovirus including recommendations for cleaning and disinfection, see www.ochealthinfo.com/epi/noro.

To receive CD Connection issues by email, sign up for influenza updates (Eye on Influenza), and/or receive alerts from public health, email epi@ochca.com or call 714-834-8180.  

A message from a study through the Pediatric Research in the Office Settings (PROS) and  funded by the CDC:    

"Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death for adolescents, in fact, nearly 100 California teens die in motor vehicle crashes each year (FARS, 2011).  Pediatricians often bring up the risks associated with driving or parents and caregivers may ask their advice helping their teens be safe drivers.  While the AAP has resources available, the busy pediatrician may not have the time to go into this issue in-depth.  [The] Pediatric Research in the Office Settings (PROS) study (funded by the CDC) promote(s) parent's supervision of young teen drivers.  Fortunately, California has been chosen as a study state so our pediatricians can access this fantastic tool to help parents navigate and supervise one of the most challenging developmental milestone for teens-driving a car.  This is a very simple to use intervention with minimal intrusion into the pediatric practice or office visit.  The practitioner would be asked to recruit 35 parent-teen dyads.  The intervention involves a very brief question on teen driving with a referral to a website that helps the parent develop a parent-teen driving agreement.   All supporting materials, information, and training are provided.  The parent-teen driving agreement has been shown to help parents navigate this stressful time and has resulted in less risk taking behavior by teen drivers.  The practitioner will have to keep track of who is referred to the web site so we can understand how this intervention translates into positive action by a parent and teen.  For the duration of the study the practitioner (and office) will be enrolled into the PROS network and after the study can choose to stay as a PROS practice.  This is a fantastic opportunity to provide parents and caregivers a tool to help keep their young drivers safe!"

For general information on the study or how to get involved contact Tim McNeill, MPH at the AAP PROS Office:
(847) 434-7867 or tmcneil@aap.org 

To register:  

(949) 752-2787

xcubero@aapca4.org 

Orange County Immunization Coalition Bi-Monthly Meeting 

"An Update of Vaccine Preventable Diseases, Nationally & Internationally"

Thursday, January 19, 2012

8:00 a.m. to 9:30 a.m.

Orange County Health Care Agency

1725 W. 17^th Street

Santa Ana 92706

(Training Center 1729E located on the perimeter of back parking lot)

For more information, view the meeting flyer. 

The goal of 2012's Preteen Vaccine Week campaign is to raise awareness about California's new Tdap requirement for incoming 7^thgrade students, immunization recommendations for 11- and 12-year-olds,  and promote the preteen doctor visit through multiple avenues such as schools, providers, and the media.

ACIP currently recommends that 11- and 12-year-olds receive these vaccines:

• Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria, whooping cough): For the 2012-13 school year and beyond, all students entering 7^th  grade will need proof of a Tdap booster shot before starting school
• Meningococcal
• Annual flu vaccine
• HPV (human papillomavirus) 3-shot series
• A total of 2 vaccines against chickenpox (varicella)