Synopsis for September 16, 2005

The MMWR is embargoed until Thursday, 12 PM EDT.

1. Direct and Indirect Effects of Routine Immunization with 7-Valent Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine on Invasive Pneumococcal Disease – United States, 1998-2003
2. Improper Disposal of Hazardous Substances and Resulting Injuries – Selected States, January 2001 – March 2005
3. Update: Influenza Activity – United States and Worldwide, May 22-September 3, 2005, and 2005-06 Season Vaccination Recommendations

Direct and Indirect Effects of Routine Immunization with
7-Valent Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine on Invasive Pneumococcal Disease – United States, 1998-2003

Routine immunization of U.S. children with the pneumococcal conjugate vaccine prevented over 29,000 cases of severe bacterial disease in 2003.

Routine immunization of U.S. children with the 7-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV7) since 2000 has substantially reduced the number of cases of severe disease caused by the bacteria Streptococcus pneumoniae. Because the vaccine prevents spread of the bacteria between individuals, we found that serious disease was less common even in people who were not targeted for vaccination. This ‘herd immunity effect’ was twice as large as the direct protective effect of the vaccine on immunized children in 2003 and is what makes a vaccine like this so important for public health.

Improper Disposal of Hazardous Substances and Resulting Injuries – Selected States,
January 2001 – March 2005

Routine immunization of U.S. children with the 7-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV7) since 2000 has substantially reduced the number of cases of severe disease caused by the bacteria Streptococcus pneumoniae. Because the vaccine prevents spread of the bacteria between individuals, we found that serious disease was less common even in people who were not targeted for vaccination. This ‘herd immunity effect’ was twice as large as the direct protective effect of the vaccine on immunized children in 2003 and is what makes a vaccine like this so important for public health.

This report describes examples and summarizes the 107 events involving improper disposal of hazardous substances reported to the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) by 18 states in the Hazardous Substances Emergency Events Surveillance (HSEES) system during January 2001–March 2005. Many consumer and industrial products, including fuels, solvents, fertilizers, pesticides, paints, and household cleaning disinfectants, contain hazardous substances. Improper disposal of these materials can lead to unexpected releases of toxins that are hazardous to humans and harmful to the environment.

Update: Influenza Activity – United States and Worldwide, May 22-September 3, 2005, and 2005-06 Season Vaccination Recommendations

Vaccination is the best way to prevent influenza.

From May 22—September 3, influenza A and influenza B viruses circulated worldwide and were identified sporadically in North America. The circulating strains of the virus looked very similar to the strains that were used to make the vaccine for the upcoming influenza season. This is encouraging that the match between vaccine and circulating influenza strains will be a good one. However, it is impossible to predict which influenza strain will be most common in the upcoming season. Vaccination is the best way to prevent influenza. People in high risk groups should receive the trivalent inactivated influenza vaccine until October 24, 2005; after that date the vaccine should be made available to everyone. Persons displaced by Hurricane Katrina living in crowded group settings should receive influenza vaccine.

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