Synopsis for March 4, 2005

The MMWR is embargoed until Thursday, 12 PM EDT.

1. Update: Influenza Activity ― United States 2004-05
2. Interventions to Increase Influenza Vaccination of Health-Care Workers ― California and Minnesota
3. Vaccination Coverage Among Callers to a State Influenza Hotline ― Connecticut, 2004-05 Influenza Season
4. Progress in Reducing Measles Mortality ― Worldwide,1999-2003

Update: Influenza Activity ― United States 2004-05

Influenza season in the United States is not over; influenza activity has not yet clearly peaked.

Influenza activity was low in the United States from October through mid-December but has steadily increased during January and February and has not yet clearly peaked. The viruses circulating this year include both influenza A and B viruses, but influenza A viruses have predominated and most of those that have been sub-typed have been influenza A (H3N2) viruses.

Interventions to Increase Influenza Vaccination of Health-Care Workers ― California and Minnesota

Many more health care workers can be vaccinated if health care facilities combine education of employees with efforts to make the vaccination convenient and available without cost.

Vaccination of health-care workers has been shown to prevent morbidity and mortality in their patients, reduce influenza infection and absenteeism among the HCWs, and result in financial savings to sponsoring health institutions. However, influenza vaccination rates among HCWs in the United States remain low. This report shows that simple strategies that make influenza vaccination convenient and available at no cost can markedly increase the proportion of HCWs who receive the influenza vaccine. These strategies include: Using intensive education campaigns and peer advocacy to inform employees about the importance and safety of influenza vaccination – and answer questions they might have also, bringing vaccination to the employee rather than making them spend their own money and free time seeking it.

Vaccination Coverage Among Callers to a State Influenza Hotline ― Connecticut, 2004-05 Influenza Season

State and local health departments should consider a hotline as a method for educating the public regarding influenza vaccination and a follow-up system as a means to improve vaccination coverage, especially among those at greatest risk.

In response to the recent influenza vaccine shortage in the United States, the Connecticut Department of Public Health, operated a telephone hotline to address questions from the public regarding the availability of influenza vaccine, reduce the number of telephone inquiries to physicians and local health departments, and advise callers regarding which groups were most at risk and in need of influenza vaccination. The results indicated that vaccination coverage varied by age group and that persons receiving follow-up calls from their local health departments were more likely to receive vaccination. Vaccination coverage among the callers surveyed was greater than that reported previously for the general public in the United States during September–November 2004.

Progress in Reducing Measles Mortality ― Worldwide,1999-2003

As a result of accelerated measles control activities, it is estimated that global measles mortality declined 39 percent between 1999 and 2003.

This MMWR reports on progress toward the goal endorsed by the 2003 World Health Assembly of reducing global deaths from measles by half by 2005 relative to 1999. The strategy to reduce deaths includes achieving high routine immunization coverage in every district and offering a second opportunity for immunization to all children. WHO and UNICEF estimate that global routine measles vaccination coverage increased from 71 percent in 1999 to 77 percent in 2003. In 2001, 150 countries offered children a second opportunity for immunization, as compared to 164 countries in 2003. As a result of these activities, global measles deaths have fallen 39 percent from an estimated 873,000 in 1999 to an estimated 530,000 in 2003. If progress continues at rates achieved during the preceding years, the 2005 mortality reduction goal will be met.

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