MMWR

Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report

Contraceptive Use Among Postpartum Women – 12 States and New York City, 2004-2006

Press Contact: Division of Media Relations
Phone: (404) 639-3286

Use of highly effective contraceptive methods after a recent pregnancy is an important strategy to prevent unintended pregnancies, ensure adequate birth spacing, and reduce adverse maternal and infant outcomes. A recent CDC study found 88 percent of postpartum women reported current use of at least one contraceptive method, 62 percent reported using highly effective methods, 20.0 percent used moderately effective methods, and 6 percent used less effective methods (2004–2006 Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System data, 12 states and New York City). This is the first population-based report to examine postpartum contraceptive use by method effectiveness and it highlighted differences in type of contraceptive methods used by maternal characteristics. Policy makers and health-care providers can use these results to promote use of highly effective contraception among postpartum women.

Evaluation of Rapid Influenza Diagnostic Tests for Detection of Novel Influenza A (H1N1) Viruses – United States, 2009

Press Contact: CDC, Division of Media Relations
Phone: (404) 639-3286

Rapid influenza diagnostic tests (RIDTs) may miss detecting novel influenza A (H1N1) virus infections, especially when the amount of virus in a specimen is low. Decisions regarding treatment and further testing among patients with negative results from RIDT testing should be based upon clinician suspicion, underlying medical conditions, severity of illness, and risk for complications in those persons suspected of having novel H1N1 virus infection.  This article assessed commercially available RIDTs for their ability to detect novel influenza A (H1N1) virus in respiratory specimens. RIDTs are tests that detect influenza A or B virus antigens and can provide results within 15 minutes. RIDTs from three companies are presented and results indicate that these tests can detect novel influenza A (H1N1) in respiratory specimens with high viral titers, but the overall sensitivities range from 40-69 percent, meaning that many influenza virus infections will be missed.

Updated Recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) Regarding Routine Poliovirus Immunization

Press Contact: CDC, Division of Media Relations
Phone: (404) 639-3286

The final dose in the poliovirus vaccine schedule should be given at age 4 years or older.  This article updates the routine recommendation for inactivated poliovirus vaccine (IPV).  The Advisory Committee for Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommends that the final dose in the IPV series be given at age 4 years or older and that the minimum interval between the 3rd and 4th dose be extended from 4 weeks to 6 months.  All other IPV vaccine recommendations remain the same.  ACIP also cautions that in the first 6 months of life, use of the minimum age and intervals for vaccination are recommended only if the vaccine person is at risk for imminent exposure to circulating poliovirus such as with travel to a polio endemic region or during an outbreak.  These recommendations were made to ensure optimum early and long term protection against poliomyelitis.

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U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES