MMWR – Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report

1. Influenza Vaccination Coverage Among Health-Care Personnel — 2011–12 Influenza Season, United States

CDC
Division of News & Electronic Media
404-639-3286

CDC conducted an internet panel survey in 2012 to provide national estimates of end-of-season influenza vaccination coverage among health-care personnel (HCP) in the United States. Overall, 66.9 percent of HCP reported having had influenza vaccination for the 2011-12 season, which is 3.4 percent higher than estimates from last season. Vaccination coverage was highest among physicians who worked in hospitals (86.7 percent) and lowest among HCP other than physicians or nurses who worked in long-term care facilities (50.2 percent). From the 2009-10 to the 2011-12 season, coverage increased among physicians and nurses and remained similar among the HCP other than physicians or nurses. More widespread implementation of comprehensive influenza vaccination strategies for HCP, focusing on those who are not physicians and nurses, will be needed to further increase overall coverage among HCP. For the 2011-12 season, overall influenza vaccination coverage among HCP was similar to the past two seasons at 66.9percent and was highest among physicians (86.7 percent) and nurses (78.1 percent) working in hospitals. The results in the report provide an opportunity for improvement among other HCP especially among other workers within long-term care facilities.

2. Influenza Vaccination Coverage Among Pregnant Women — 2011–12 Influenza Season, United States

CDC
Division of News & Electronic Media
404-639-3286

Pregnant women are at elevated risk for influenza-associated hospitalization and death.  Influenza vaccination both pregnant women and their newborns and is safe for pregnant women regardless of trimester.  Influenza vaccination coverage remains consistent in pregnant women for a second year in a row but is still below the Healthy People 2020 target of 80%. A provider recommendation, with the offer to administer the Influenza vaccination at that time, remains one of the best ways to increase Influenza vaccination among pregnant women.  Provider should focus on the safety of the Influenza vaccination when making recommendations as it is the most commonly cited reason by pregnant women for not receiving the vaccine. A provider recommendation, with the offer to administer the Influenza vaccination at that time, remains one of the best ways to increase influenza vaccination among pregnant women.

3. Influenza A (H3N2) Variant Virus-Related Hospitalizations — Ohio, 2012

CDC
Division of News & Electronic Media
404-639-3286

No Summary Available

4. Postvaccination Serologic Testing Results for Infants Perinatally Exposed to Hepatitis B Virus — United States, 2008–2009

National Center for HIV/AIDS, Viral Hepatitis, STD, and TB Prevention
News Media Line - 404-639-8895
NCHHSTPMediaTeam@cdc.gov

Data analyzed from CDC’s Enhanced Perinatal Hepatitis B Case Management Project (EPHBP) shows that many babies born to mothers infected with the hepatitis B virus (HBV) do not receive recommended follow-up testing after vaccination. Approximately 25,000 infants are born to HBV-infected mothers annually in the US. Without intervention, 40-90 percent will become infected. Up to 90 percent of those will develop chronic infection and may die from cirrhosis or liver cancer. The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices recommends that infants born to infected mothers receive the hepatitis B vaccine (HepB) and hepatitis B immune globulin (HBIG) within 12 hours of birth. Infants should complete the 3-dose HepB series, which is up to 95 percent effective in preventing infection. Between 9-18 months, infants should receive post-vaccination serologic testing (PVST) to ensure they did not become infected and are protected. More than 80percent of EPHBP-managed infants received recommended vaccinations, but only 64 percent also received recommended follow-up testing. Of those, 93 percent were protected from infection, 1 percent became infected, and 3 percent were still susceptible to infection. Authors conclude that timely PVST is critical to protect infants against infection & to monitor progress toward eliminating perinatal HBV transmission. 

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U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES