IMMUNIZATION NEWS

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U.S. IMMUNIZATION NEWS

" Hepatitis B Decline Credited to Vaccines "

Deseret News (www.desnews.com) (01/01/04) P. A9

The number of hepatitis B cases in the United States decreased by 67

percent between 1990 and 2002, the Centers for Disease Control and

Prevention (CDC) reported this week. The decline reflects the routine use

of the hepatitis B vaccine in children, the CDC said, noting that there was

an 89 percent decline in cases among newborns to 19-year-olds. The number

of hepatitis B cases among adults has increased, however, the CDC noted.

" Health Department Acts Quickly to Stop Measles "

Associated Press (www.ap.org) (01/01/04)

After learning last week that a six-month-old girl who had been on a plane

from Germany to Chicago had been diagnosed with measles, Chicago's

Department of Public Health notified the Iowa Department of Public Health

of the three Iowa residents on the plane. Iowa health officials then

contacted the passengers and their family members to determine if they had

been vaccinated against or had previously had measles. Individuals who

have been exposed to the disease can be vaccinated within three days of

exposure and not contract the disease; a dose of immunoglobulin can be

given if the three-day window is missed. Iowa officials delivered six

doses of the measles vaccine within the three day window and potentially

prevented an outbreak.

" Lawmaker Urges Vaccine Planning "

Atlanta Journal-Constitution (www.accessatlanta.com/ajc) (01/01/04) P. 1D;

Schneider, Craig

Georgia State Rep. Lester (D-Savannah), the vice chairman of the

state's House Health and Human Services Committee, has expressed his

disappointment over health officials' mistakes in trying to obtain more of

the influenza vaccine for the state. The operation has so far cost Georgia

$1.65 million to medical brokers but no more doses of the vaccine have

appeared. is not leading a unanimous opinion in the state

Legislature, however, as Sen. Don (R-Dalton), chairman of the Senate

Health and Human Services Committee, has no plans to investigate the

matter, and is not interested in holding Dr. Kathleen Toomey, the state's

top health official, accountable for the mistake.

INTERNATIONAL IMMUNIZATION NEWS

" Doctors Fear Measles Outbreak "

National Post (CAN) (www.nationalpost.com) (01/02/04) P. A2; Kirkey, Sharon

As parts of the United Kingdom are reporting outbreaks of measles, with

infection rates of measles, mumps, and rubella jumping 20 percent to 30

percent, doctors around the world are watching nervously for signs that the

disease could jump to their regions. In addition, a recent study published

in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine divulged that parents are

more worried about vaccines than they were in past decades. Experts say

that a drop-off in vaccination rates of just 10 percent could lead to

outbreaks in some diseases, such as the spate of illnesses in Britain,

where some parents have eschewed the combination measles-mumps-rubella

vaccine and their children are becoming sick as a consequence.

" WHO Praises Hong Kong's Polio Eradication Drive "

Xinhua News Agency (202.84.17.11/en/main.htm) (01/02/04)

The threat of another outbreak of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS)

remains high in Asia, straining health budgets and challenging health

departments, yet Hong Kong has earned praise from the World Health

Organization (WHO) for its diligence in keeping up vaccination efforts

against polio. In fact, the WHO Regional Office in Manila, the

Philippines, said in a letter to chairman Leung Nai-kong of the Hong Kong

National Committee for the Certification of Wild Poliovirus Eradication

that the committee was doing well in its " continuous involvement in and

support for activities to sustain poliomyelitis-free status. " Hong Kong

reported its last case of wild-type polio in 1983 and its last case of

vaccine-associated polio in 1985, but the region has remained diligent in

preventing the illness from re-emerging, forming the committee in 1996 to

oversee activities in line with WHO recommendations.

" Mozambique: Health Authorities Warn of Cholera Threat in Central Region "

BBC News (www.bbc.co.uk) (12/31/03)

Due to the rainy season and poor sanitation, Mozambique health authorities

are warning residents of the province of Sofala, especially the city of

Beira, of a potential cholera outbreak. Beira, for the first time, is

implementing a cholera vaccination campaign with more than 53,000 residents

taking the first dose in December. A second dose will be given between

January 5 and January 11. The vaccine is new and hopefully more effective

than previous cholera vaccines. A successful implementation of a cholera

vaccination campaign in Beira could mean more campaigns throughout

Mozambique and other countries.