Tools and Resources

The information on this page is provided to assist practitioners in their immunization efforts and to inform the public on the current flu season.

Vaccine Issues:

The following resources provide updates on national vaccine manufacturers, vaccine supply status, influenza incidence, and other related issues.

NEW! CDC Q & A: 2007-08 Flu Season
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has provided this Question and Answer section on its Web site to specifically address topics relevant to the current flu season. 

NEW! CDC Letter to Health Care Professionals
A letter has been issued by the CDC from Julie Gerberding, CDC director, to urge health care professionals to get immunized against influenza to protect themselves, their patients, and their loved ones.

NEW! CDC Presentation: 2007-08 Seasonal Influenza Vaccine Recommendations
Originally presented October 26, 2007, this webinar features Andrew Kroger, MD, MPH, medical officer from the National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). One contact hour of continuing medical education (CME) is available for completing this webinar. After viewing the webinar, physicians wishing to attain CME must complete and submit the CME Evaluation form. Click here for access to this form.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Influenza Vaccine Bulletins

CDC National Influenza Vaccine Summit Newsletters

"Effectiveness of Influenza Vaccine in the Community-Dwelling Elderly," N Engl J Med 357;14:1373-81 (October 4, 2007)

"Influenza--The Goal of Control," N Engl J Med 357;14:1439-41 (October 4, 2007)

"Mortality Benefits of Influenza Vaccination in Elderly People: An Ongoing Controversy," Lancet Infect Dis 7;10:658-66 (October 2007 - full text available to subscribers only)

Immunization Campaign Tools:

• Patient and Health Care Worker Influenza Immunization Materials: NMIVC has enhanced the resources and tools available to its members! These resources have been compiled to help organizations to develop flu immunization campaigns to reach patients and health care workers in nursing homes, home health agencies, hospitals and physician offices. Visit Materials and Tools today! (scroll to the Immunizations section)
  
  
• NEW! Presentation: NMIVC Influenza Vaccine Update 2007-08: This presentation includes information on the New Mexico Influenza Vaccine Consortium as well as influenza vaccine recommendations for 2007-08 from the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP).     PowerPoint format       Flash format
  
  
• Influenza Vaccine Information Statement (VIS): Effective Jan. 1, 2006, all health care providers in the United States who administer an influenza vaccination to any child or adult must, prior to administration of each dose of the vaccine, provide to the patient or patient’s guardian a copy to keep of the relevant current edition vaccine information materials that have been produced by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). These materials can be found on the CDC’s National Immunization Program (NIP) Web site. This site has posted the Instructions for the Use of VIS, updated on June 30, 2006. You can download and print the Inactivated Influenza Vaccine VIS, as well as the Live, Intranasal Influenza Vaccine VIS for use in your facility. There is still a great deal of discussion around consent for influenza and pneumococcal vaccinations and whether or not it should be a requirement. To learn more about this discussion, read the article “Is Signed Consent for Influenza or Pneumococcal Polysaccharide Vaccination Required?” by Stephanie Kissam, BA; David R. Gifford, MD, MPH; Gail Patry, RNC; Dale W. Bratzler, DO, MPH.
  
  
• New Mexico Board of Medicine Exemption on Standing Orders for Immunizations: The New Mexico Board of Medicine has approved and documented a change in ethics requirements of physician orders for vaccines in immunization programs. The new language exempts immunization programs from this requirement, paving the way for hospitals and their pharmacies to agree on standing orders. See the New Mexico Board of Pharmacy's December 2007 newsletter for details.

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