MMWR – Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report

1. Prevalence of Doctor-Diagnosed Arthritis and Arthritis-Attributable Activity Limitation — United States, 2007–2009

CDC Division of News and Electronic Media
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Based on the 2007-2009 National Health Interview Survey, 22.2 percent (49.9 million) of U.S. adults have arthritis and 42.4 percent (21.1 million) of those with arthritis have arthritis-attributable activity limitation. The prevalence of arthritis and its associated activity limitations is on the rise, likely fueled by the aging of the population and high rates of obesity. Obesity may be a special problem in arthritis; one in three obese adults report having arthritis. These findings indicate a critical public health problem which may be addressed, at least in part, by expanding the reach of effective physical activity, obesity prevention, and self-management education interventions in local communities.

2. Seasonal Influenza Vaccination Coverage Among Children Aged 6 Months–18 Years — Eight Immunization Information System Sentinel Sites, United States, 2009–10 Influenza Season

CDC Division of News and Electronic Media
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Recommendations to vaccinate all children aged 6 months to 18 years with both seasonal influenza vaccine and influenza A (H1N1) 2009 monovalent vaccine provided opportunities and challenges to increase vaccination coverage in the 2009-10 season. This report assessed changes in seasonal influenza vaccination coverage among children from the 2008-09 to the 2009-10 season in eight IIS sentinel sites. The Immunization Information System Sentinel Site Project showed that vaccination coverage with ≥1 seasonal influenza vaccine doses was 26.3 percent in the 2009-10 season, a 5.5 percentage point increase from the 2008-09 season (20.8 percent). Increases in coverage from the 2008-09 season to the 2009-10 season varied by age group with almost no increase among children aged 6-23 months (55.2 percent to 55.7 percent) and larger increases among children aged 2-4 years (from 33.0 percent to 38.4 percent), 5-12 years (19.0 percent to 27.1 percent), and 13-18 years (10.9 percent to 15.3 percent). In the 2009-10 season, full vaccination coverage with seasonal influenza vaccine remained low; 34.7 percent of children aged 6-23 months, 31.0 percent of children aged 2-4 years, 23.8 percent of children aged 5-12 years, and 15.3 percent of children aged 13-18 years were fully vaccinated. The report showed plateaued vaccination coverage among children aged 6-23 months, low full vaccination coverage among children aged <5 years who are at greatest risk of influenza-associated complications, and low coverage among older children and adolescents. The results suggest that continued implementation of existing strategies to improve seasonal vaccination coverage including vaccinating later in the season (January through March), standing orders, reminder/recall notifications, parental education, and school-located vaccination programs, as well as innovative strategies are needed.

3. Influenza Activity — United States and Worldwide, June 13–September 25, 2010

CDC Division of News and Electronic Media
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The United States has experienced low levels of influenza activity over the summer, while there has been typical seasonal influenza activity in the southern hemisphere, as well as influenza activity in tropical areas. Influenza A (H3), 2009 influenza A (H1N1), and influenza B, have been present throughout the world. The vast majority of the viruses that have been analyzed recently are like the viruses included in this year’s vaccine. Vaccination continues to be the best method for preventing influenza and its associated complications, and manufacturers project plenty of vaccine supplies for this season.

 

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U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES