Parents PACK Newsletter

August 2005 Issue

Parents Pack Newsletter

Possessing, Accessing and Communicating Knowledge About Vaccines

In this issue:

Feature article: National Immunization Awareness Month

This month you may see ads or commercials asking, "Are you up to date? Vaccinate!" August is National Immunization Awareness Month. Public health officials and health care professionals across the country hope to increase awareness about the need for immunizations from infancy through adulthood.

Because the immunization program has been so successful in eradicating or significantly reducing the number of cases of many once-common childhood diseases, some people have started to question the continued need for vaccines. However, people still die from vaccine-preventable diseases every day.

Learn more about why we still need vaccines

Watch "We Must Not Lose the Wonders of Vaccination"
A Web-cast editorial by Dr. Harvey V. Fineberg, posted on Medscape. A free, one-time registration to Medscape is necessary to view this article.

Watch "Vaccines: Separating Fact from Fear"
A video produced by the Vaccine Education Center

Print "The Facts About Childhood Vaccines"
A downloadable, question and answer sheet about vaccines and vaccine safety produced by the Vaccine Education Center

Print "A Parent's Guide to Vaccine Safety"
A brochure produced by the National Partnership for Immunization

For additional information about vaccines and the diseases they prevent, visit the following Web sites:
www.cdc.gov/nip
www.vaccine.chop.edu
www.vaccine.chop.edu/parents
www.immunize.org
www.vaccineinformation.org
www.aap.org or www.cispimmunize.org
www.immunizationinfo.org
www.ecbt.org
www.partnersforimmunization.org

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Spotlight: National Partnership for Immunization

The National Partnership for Immunization (NPI) is a program based out of the Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies Coalition in Virginia. NPI has a council with representatives from 85 private and public organizations that are interested in promoting immunizations across the lifespan. In addition to providing vaccine information on its Web site and in publications, the group works each year to develop a National Immunization Awareness Month campaign. Additionally, NPI awards annual Excellence in Immunization Awards to groups around the country that are successfully addressing immunization issues in innovative ways.

Learn more about NPI
Read About 2005 Award Recipients

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Did you know?. . . The ABCs of hepatitis

There are many types of hepatitis virus; however, liver disease is typically only caused by types A, B, C, D and E. Chronic liver disease and liver cancer are most often the result of infection with types B, C or D. The types of hepatitis each differ in virus size, structure and type of genetic material. Vaccines are only available for types A and B. The 3 most common types of hepatitis infections result from types A, B and C.

Print "Hepatitis A, B and C: Learn the Differences"
Produced by the Immunization Action Coalition

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Ask the VEC — Hepatitis A vaccine

Q. There were recently a few cases of hepatitis A in my area. I heard there is a vaccine for this, but I don't remember my child getting one. Can you tell me whether there is a vaccine?

A. Yes, there is a vaccine for hepatitis A, a viral illness that causes flu-like symptoms and jaundice. Currently, it is only recommended for children living in states where the rate of infection is at least twice that of the national average; they include Arizona, Alaska, Oregon, New Mexico, Utah, Washington, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Nevada, California, and Idaho. In states where the rate is lower but is still higher than the national average, the vaccine should be considered; these states include Arkansas, Colorado, Missouri, Montana, Texas, and Wyoming. Because hepatitis A can be spread through contamination of food and water, there are periodic outbreaks in communities throughout the United States; therefore, it would be reasonable for a parent to consider the vaccine for their child regardless of where they reside.

A recent study confirmed that vaccinating children in those states where the incidence of hepatitis A infection is greater than the national average has been successful at reducing disease. There were about 26,000 annual cases during the 1980s and 1990s. However since 2000, there has been a yearly decrease; only about 7,700 cases occurred in 2003. But the study also concluded that hepatitis A will not be eliminated unless a recommendation is made for children in all states.

Send us your comments

If you have any comments about this newsletter or suggestions about how we can make our Web site more helpful, please send your comments to contactPACK@email.chop.edu.

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NOTICE OF TERMS OF SERVICE AND MEDICAL DISCLAIMER

The information provided in this newsletter is current as of August 2005. CHOP PROVIDES ARCHIVED NEWSLETTERS AS ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED AND DOES NOT UPDATE THIS INFORMATION; therefore, you should not rely on it for medical decisions. You should discuss any decisions about medical treatment or care directly with your health care provider.

The content of this newsletter and www.chop.edu is not a substitute for medical advice; www.chop.edu IS NOT INTENDED TO, AND DOES NOT, PROVIDE MEDICAL ADVICE DIAGNOSIS OR TREATMENT. IF YOU HAVE A SPECIFIC MEDICAL PROBLEM OR QUESTION, YOU SHOULD CONSULT A PHYSICIAN OR OTHER QUALIFIED PROFESSIONAL. All content, including text, graphics, images, and information ("Content") are for general informational purposes only. NEVER DISREGARD PROFESSIONAL MEDICAL ADVICE, OR DELAY IN SEEKING IT, BECAUSE OF SOMETHING YOU HAVE READ IN THIS E-MAIL OR ON OUR WEB SITE. NEVER RELY ON INFORMATION IN THIS E-MAIL OR ON OUR WEB SITE IN PLACE OF SEEKING PROFESSIONAL MEDICAL ADVICE.

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