MilVax     Saturday, January 14, 2006 2:58:09 AM ET quick reference    |    contact us    |    site map    Vaccines · Diseases    Resource Center    Education Toolkit    Adverse Events    Imz University   FDA Issues Final Order - AVA Safe and Effective, Protects Individuals at High Risk for Anthrax Disease On 15 December 2005, The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a Final Order with respect to anthrax vaccine adsorbed (AVA). After review of the comments and finding no additional scientific evidence to alter the proposed categorization, FDA accepts the Panel’s recommendation and adopts Category I as the final category for AVA and determines AVA to be safe and effective and not misbranded. In light of the final order, the department will review program options. The military services will continue anthrax vaccinations as they have since April 2005 on a voluntary basis for eligible servicemembers with the option to refuse. more ... President Announces National Strategy for Pandemic Influenza The National Strategy for Pandemic Influenza presents our approach to address the threat of pandemic influenza, whether it results from the strain currently in birds in Asia or another influenza virus. It outlines how we intend to prepare, detect, and respond to a pandemic. It also outlines the important roles to be played not only by the Federal government, but also by State and local governments, private industry, our international partners, and most importantly individual citizens, including you and your families. While your government will do much to prepare for a pandemic, individual action and individual responsibility are necessary for the success of any measures. Not only should you take action to protect yourself and your families, you should also take action to prevent the spread of influenza if you or anyone in your family becomes ill. more ... Guillain Barre Syndrome Alert Update 30 Sep 05 The FDA and CDC are alerting consumers and health care providers to five reports of Guillain Barre Syndrome (GBS) following administration of Meningococcal Conjugate Vaccine A, C, Y, and W135 (trade name Menactra), manufactured by Sanofi Pasteur. 9 Nov 05 FDA/CDC issue fact sheet stating "the number of cases of GBS in adolescents who received MCV4 is not greater than would be expected in an unvaccinated adolescent population. An ongoing known risk for serious meningococcal disease exists. Therefore, CDC is recommending continuation of current vaccination strategies." 16 Nov 05 Sanofi Pasteur reports no new cases of GBS reported following administration of Menactra vaccine since the publication of the October 6, 2005 MMWR Dispatch. more ... Hurricane Katrina and Rita Recovery – Immunization Recommendations Revised 23 Sep 05 Military personnel participating in hurricane-relief efforts should assure their standard adult immunizations are up-to-date. However, the risk of vaccine-preventable infection is not great enough to delay participation in relief efforts pending immunization. The most important immunization needs to assess are those for tetanus-diphtheria (Td) toxoids and hepatitis A. The military need for hepatitis A immunity predates Katrina. Personnel should also take care to avoid injuries and practice good hygiene and sanitation to avoid infections that cannot be prevented through immunization. Alcohol-based hand-hygiene products are valuable in settings such as these. As the medical threat evolves, we will update these requirements. more ... DOD Resumes AVIP Under EUA Conditions Injunction Against Mandatory Vaccination Continues On April 25, 2005, the Deputy Secretary of Defense directed resumption of anthrax vaccinations for personnel in high-threat areas, subject to conditions set by the Food & Drug Administration (FDA) under specific Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) conditions. The high-threat areas principally involve CENTCOM and Korea. Notably, the conditions include providing each vaccinee with a trifold brochure describing an option to refuse vaccination without penalty. The injunction against mandatory vaccinations continues in force. more... U.S. District Court Modifies Injunction On April 06, 2005, the United States District Court for the District of Columbia modified the injunction against the Anthrax Vaccine Immunization Program (AVIP). The injunction against mandatory anthrax vaccination remains in force. Separately, anthrax vaccinations under EUA conditions may proceed.    read more... ACIP Offers Immunization Strategy to Eliminate Hep B Transmission The report provides updated recommendations to improve prevention of perinatal and early childhood HBV transmission, including implementation of universal infant vaccination beginning at birth, and to increase vaccine coverage among previously unvaccinated children and adolescents. more... Recommended Adult Immunizati