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| Information for Healthcare Professionals |
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Supply Difficulties Expected with MMRV (Updated 6/07) Merck & Co., Inc. has notified the American Academy of Pediatrics and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) that, based on current market demand, the company projects the existing supply of ProQuad, used to vaccinate against Measles, Mumps, Rubella and Varicella (MMRV) is likely to be depleted by July 2007. Once depleted, ProQuad is not expected to be available for the remainder of 2007. Vaccine providers should begin transitioning from ProQuad to MMR and Varivax according to their current supply of vaccine. In its April issue, AAP News reported that Merck (Whitehouse Station, N.J.) had temporarily suspended production of bulk varicella, which is used in the preparation of its three varicella-containing vaccines, due to lower than expected yields in recent production lots. Varicella bulk is stored frozen until it is needed in the final preparation phase of each varicella-containing vaccine. Thus, the lower virus yield in the production of bulk varicella zoster virus (VZV) does not affect the quality of any of Merck’s VZV-containing vaccines currently on the market, nor does it affect any lots of vaccine manufactured and ready for release to the market. Production of VZV bulk will remain suspended until Merck identifies the cause of the lower-than-expected virus yield. Questions about the supply of these Merck products can be addressed by contacting Merck’s National Service Center at 1-800-637-2590. Updates on vaccine shortages and delays are available at: www.cdc.gov/nip/news/shortages/default.htm
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Consultation for Quality Immunization Services (CQIS) A service of the Pasadena Immunization Coalition, CQIS follows the CDC endorsed AFIX process to provide assessment and ongoing support to help healthcare providers improve their immunization coverage rates and services. CQIS offers healthcare providers:
If you are a childhood immunization provider in the City of Pasadena and would like to participate in CQIS, sign up now to receive this free consultation. Please call: Rachel Estuar, Program Coordinator The Los Angeles Orange Immunization Network (LINK) is an Internet-based system used by medical providers and other approved agencies in Los Angeles and Orange Counties to track the immunizations of their clients. LINK is a partnership between the Los Angeles County Department of Health Services, the City of Pasadena Public Health Department, the City of Long Beach Department of Health and Human Services, and the County of Orange Health Care Agency. LINK can help to:
If you are a Pasadena provider and would
like to learn more or enroll your practice in LINK, please contact the
Pasadena LINK Coordinator, Rachel Estuar at (626) 744-6134.
For more information, please go to the LINK website at
www.immunizelink.org AMG Professional Medical
Corporation Center for Community and Family
Services-Head Start & Early Head Start Community Health Alliance of Pasadena Crown City Medical Group Huntington Plaza Pediatric Group Northwest Medical Group Nubar Sethian MD, Inc. Pasadena Public Health Department -Childhood Immunization Clinic Pasadena Public Health Department-Surveillance Pasadena Public Health Department-Travel and Adult Immunization Clinic URDC Bill Moore Community Health Clinic USC Department of Family Medicine Walker & Mangoni MD Walter Spears MD, Inc. Vaccines for Children (VFC) Program
For more information about the VFC program,
visit the General
information about the VFC program. Become a VFC provider in Los Angeles County or call (213) 351-7800 to enroll. Don’t forget to keep your vaccines
cool! A vaccine must be kept within a specific temperature range; keeping some vaccines
too cold or not cold enough may damage their integrity and effectiveness. To protect your vaccines and keep them viable, remember to:
In the event of a power outage or weather catastrophes, view the links below to learn about important tips: CDC's Vaccine Management handbook You will need Adobe
Acrobat Reader to view this page.
Vaccine Information Statements (VIS) Federal Law requires
physicians to provide patients or the child's parents/legal guardians with current Vaccine
Information Statements (VIS) prior to providing certain vaccinations. As a healthcare provider, you are required to do the following:
More in depth instructions on the use of
Vaccine Information Statements can be found at the CDC's website entitled Instructions
for the Use of Vaccine Information Statements. You will need Adobe
Acrobat Reader to view this page.
Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting
System (VAERS)
Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System A copy of the VAERS reporting form and instructions of how to submit
it can be obtained by calling toll-free (800) 822-7967 or by toll-free fax at (877)
721-0366. You may also submit requests to VAERS via e-mail. Difficulty communicating with parents about the importance of immunizations? Objective scientific information about immunizations and other resources, such as "talking points" sheets can be obtained from the National Network for Immunization Information in a resource kit for healthcare providers entitled "Communicating With Patients about Immunizations." "Talking points" are structured to help conduct a brief education session that will improve parents' understanding of the recommended vaccines, including their benefits and potential risks as compared to the risk of the diseases they prevent. To view this resource kit click here. The American Academy of Pediatrics provides refusal to vaccinate forms and information about parents who refuse vaccination. To view the link click here. Recommended Childhood Immunization Schedule - shows the most current immunization schedule. The Institute for Vaccine Safety is devoted to investigating vaccine safety issues and providing information and findings to parents, healthcare providers, and the media. Vaccine Products Licensed for Use in the United States - published and updated by the Immunization Action Coalition, this comprehensive list provides information on the vaccines used in the U.S., brand names, manufacturers, types, and how they are supplied. California School Immunization Law For Healthcare Providers - mandates that children must be properly immunized prior to entering school or childcare. Parents must present their child's immunization record to school or childcare staff as proof of immunization prior to admission. Healthcare providers are required to give or update the parent’s copy of the child's Immunization Record whenever these immunizations are administered. Children who have not completed all immunizations can attend school or childcare as long as they are currently up-to-date (no doses currently due) on their immunizations and continue to receive subsequent immunizations to remain up-to-date on their immunizations. Pasadena Immunization Coalition Material Order Form - Pasadena Immunization Coalition has training videos and informational materials that can benefit you and your patients. Annual Awards of Excellence in Immunization Practices Every year, the Pasadena Immunization Coalition hosts an event honoring the hard work and commitment invested by local healthcare providers to protect and improve the health of all residents, especially young children who are the most vulnerable from vaccine-preventable diseases. The event has a three-fold purpose:
The The Annual Awards of Excellence in Immunization Practices and Conference takes place in the springtime through the generous support of coalition members, corporate exhibitors and local businesses. To learn more about this event and how you can participate, please contact Rachel Estuar, Event Coordinator, at (626) 744-6135.
Also check back soon for our newsletter and articles about PIzC events
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